Ios Chora: Copyright George AtsametakisSand, sea, sun, youngsters, fun and discos, wind. Homer, chapels, pasteli (sesame cake) and cheese. Gialos (Ormos Iou) is the island port and harbour with the Chora's white cubes perched 2km high above. Gialos was completely devastated in the 1950's but the start of tourism to the island held the islanders in place. The Chora is also known as the "Village" or the "Jungle". Even during the day it's a frenetic place and you have to climb up the steps to the top to escape the antics and find quiet.