Tis Grias Ta Pania

This unusual rock formation on the southern coast of Samothraki, Greece, can only be seen from the sea. The English version of the name, Tis Grias Ta Pania, is variously given as "The Old Woman's Sails", "The Old Woman's Clothes" and even "Grandma's Lingerie".

It consists of a series of bright white inclusions in the darker parent rock (photographs really do not do it credit) said to represent one of the various textile products indicated by the name (depending on who you are talking to).

One version of the story is that an old woman who lived at the nearby Vatos beach, with only her goats for company, hung up the white items to dry. When a sudden high wind shredded them and blew them onto the nearby rocky headland, the old woman cursed the ripped up textiles, petrifying them forever. Other versions exist but they are all very much the same.

The rocks have become one of the favourite calling points for boats sailing on the southern part of the island, not least because of the proximity to Vatos beach, arguably the best beach on the island. Most organized cruises stop off at Vatos and private boats often call.

The rocks are most easily seen by taking one of the small boat cruises which operate during the summer from the main port at Kamariotissa and from the much smaller harbour at Therma.