The wonderful bay of Hydra calls to mind a huge natural theatre, with its surrounding hills and homes built in tiers. Each fisherman's house, white or colourful, each patrician residence with a stern grey façade is like part of the set. Here, donkeys and mules replace motor vehicles... and merchant ships and shippers have exited the stage and been replaced by yachts and well-to-do crowds lazing on the café terraces.