Chios Island - The Mastic Region

Hotel Room is like a cave- where they used to house the animals. The bar across the room is added for earthquake protection, last big one in 1885 destroyed most of the houses in the region.


Mouzaliko Hotel Room


Mastic is something I had never heard of before but it is big over here. It is a translucent white gum which is produced when you cut the Mastic Tree. The gum has many uses but since ancient times has been used as a chewing gum. It cleans your teeth and makes your breath smell fresh. I am told that the Turkish Sultans and their harems couldn't get enough of it.

The Mastic Tree only grows well in a small part of the island in the Mastic Region or the Mastichochoria. The villages set amongst the trees are unique. They are medieval. They are typically hidden in a valley so pirates could not see them from the coast.


Mastic Village of Mesta