Hydra is a sanctuary for visitors, where unpleasant encounters are almost unheard of unless one happens to trip while under the influence. Crime, except tax evasion, is a rarity, a peculiarity of Greek culture. I can confidently affirm that crimes against individuals, mainly tourists, are extremely rare. You can freely wander the island, even in the most secluded corners, without a trace of fear or the need to constantly watch your back. The local authorities and community are committed to maintaining a safe environment, with regular patrols and a strong sense of community vigilance.

Hydra is also renowned for its allure to celebrities, with countless stars gracing the island since tourism took off in the 1950s. Furthermore, Hydra is not a place that appeals to modern-day criminals. It's hard to blend in; more importantly, the only way to enter or exit is by boat. The taxi boat drivers are watchful, a fact that some have learned the hard way. Beyond its safety, Hydra offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with its picturesque harbour, charming cobblestone streets, and a wealth of historical sites waiting to be explored.

A few real villains have been on the island. Serbian war criminal Slobodan Milošević was on the island while being hunted across Europe. His family still owns a formidable villa away from Hydra town. Greece and Serbia, both Greek Orthodox countries, have good relations, and he may have felt safe here.

The likelihood of a high-profile war criminal visiting Hydra is about as high as finding a great white shark in our waters, which is nearly non-existent. If both happened simultaneously, the outcome would be almost the opposite. The visitor would get wet, and the shark would get fed. No tribunals or courtrooms filled with legal gymnastics are needed to handle that.

Hydra has an old tradition of throwing unpleasant and undesirable people into the harbour basin. Putin has few friends in Greece and would surely end up in the wet, especially if the unlikely great white shark lurks in the azure waters.

The thought of it pleased me so much that I couldn't help but share the joy. Killing war criminals of Putin's stature hasn't been on the shark menu since the Nuremberg trials of World War II. I rejoice with those who rejoice and do not care about those who do not.

The Hydriots, once skilled sailors and even notorious pirates reigned over the waters of the Greek archipelago. When the war of independence erupted, and the call to drive the Turks out of Greece echoed, the Hydriots and their formidable fleet led the charge. Their mastery of sailing and combat, and their unwavering efforts, led to Greece's liberation after three hundred sixty years. Eighteen hundred, if you consider the time since Rome absorbed classical Greece. The Greeks had their share of oppressors, and their victory stands as a testament to the unique history and spirit of Hydra.

A great white shark has indeed been on Hydra. It was a stuffed one, part of a practical joke at the classic nightclub Lagoudera, set up by the owner, Babis Mores. It happened during one of his legendary parties, almost as wet as the sea outside. Babis had purchased the already deceased shark, which had been displayed for money along the southern coast of the Peloponnese. Loads of ice had managed to preserve it for several weeks, but the owners wanted to get rid of the monster shark that stank worse than it looked. Babis got it cheaply and transported the beast, well-packed in ice, to Hydra. After lying on ice for a few days, it was lowered into the water outside the club, anchored with cleverly arranged ropes that led up to the club. It was a gift to one of Babis's frequent guests, the notorious ladies' man, the Spanish Count of Barcelona, Juan Carlos. He had a habit of diving directly into the sea from the club's terrace, a three-meter swan dive intended to impress some new skirt he had brought along. This time, a shark appeared just as he jumped. That it was stone dead, he could not know. Everyone laughed at the intermezzo, including Juan Carlos, who had a good sense of humour.

The Mediterranean Sea, a vast body of water stretching from the coast of Syria in the east to Spain in the west, is a popular destination for many Scandinavians. The European countries bordering the Mediterranean, such as France, Italy, and Greece, are treasure troves for sun-worshipping Scandinavians seeking a sun-sure holiday without flying more than a couple of hours. While the Mediterranean can offer many surprises – both pleasant and unpleasant- shark attacks are extremely rare, providing a safe environment for your marine adventures.

The great white shark, the largest and perhaps most fearsome shark in the world (also known as the man-eater), is indeed present in the Mediterranean—but to a minimal extent. There are so few that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as' endangered', a status that reflects their vulnerability to extinction due to various threats, including overfishing and habitat degradation. This rarity of sightings adds to the intrigue and fascination of encountering these majestic creatures in the Mediterranean.

There are about 45 different species of sharks in the Mediterranean, but most are very small and live in the deep sea. Shark encounters are rare near the Mediterranean coast, and when they do occur, they are often a result of mistaken identity, with sharks mistaking humans for their natural prey. Since 1900, just over 100 shark encounters have been reported in countries like Italy, Greece, and Croatia. The last time a shark drew attention in the Mediterranean was in June 2017, when a lost blue shark frightened bathers in Mallorca.

The most common sharks in the Mediterranean are:
The hammerhead shark looks funny, and the name explains why. It can grow up to 4 meters long and weigh 400 kg. It is characteristically shaped with a hammer-shaped head.
- The tiger shark, a faintly striped grey shark, usually grows up to 3.5 meters and has sharp teeth, which it uses to tear apart its prey.
The thresher shark is a smaller, rare shark with a slender tail fin. It mainly feeds on schooling fish and squid.
The blue shark, a dark blue shark with a classic shark appearance, grows up to 3.5 meters long. It is an omnivore that feeds on everything from squid to sea birds.
- The porbeagle, resembling the appearance of the great white, primarily feeds on schooling fish such as herring. No attacks on humans have been documented.
The spiny dogfish is a small, popular food fish that rarely grows longer than one meter. It is also found in Swedish waters.

The great white shark, a natural part of the Mediterranean, boasts a native population genetically distinct from other significant white shark populations. Today, the number of great whites in the Mediterranean remains a mystery. Still, we know that the number of observations and attacks has decreased over the last hundred years, making each encounter exceptional. This rich history and the current presence of great whites in the Mediterranean are a testament to their resilience and adaptability, inspiring awe and respect in all who encounter them.

Research on the presence of the great white shark in the Mediterranean has confirmed approximately 630 reported cases. The great white shark has attacked humans 42 times in the Mediterranean, and human remains have been found 11 times as stomach contents.

Statistically, the largest great whites are found in the western Mediterranean, especially around the popular destination of Mallorca and the nearby islands (Balearic Islands). This part of the Mediterranean houses a high biomass due to a local upwelling area of nutrient-rich deep water. The sardine has the highest occurrence of great whites in the Mediterranean, where smaller great whites and newborns are also found. Great whites can be observed near the coast in August. Most great white sightings occur during the summer half of the year.

The world's most significant number of great whites was reported in the Mediterranean.

Historically, the Mediterranean houses some of the largest great whites ever caught, up to about 6 meters in total length. For example, the Maguelone great white from the French Riviera is the world's largest reported great white. Great whites are documented in natural history museums in countries around the Mediterranean. Old photographs testify to how large great whites can get, but stuffed great whites and casts are confirmed evidence of some of the world's largest excellent white specimens.

Over the last few decades, great whites in the Mediterranean have decreased in total length and become more common in smaller sizes. This trend is not unique to the Mediterranean but is widespread among marine fish worldwide. Great whites are getting smaller due to high fishing pressure. Large individuals, often the most awe-inspiring, have become rare due to this pressure. Understanding and advocating for responsible fishing practices can empower us to protect these magnificent creatures and ensure their continued presence in our seas.

Areas where great whites have been found in the Mediterranean. There are many places where great whites have historically been found, most often in the Adriatic Sea, followed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Sicilian Channel, the Balearic Sea, the Gulf of Lions, the Ligurian Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Ionian Sea.

Over the last hundred years, the presence of great whites in the Mediterranean has almost halved based on observation and catch reports. Today, great whites are mainly reported from the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicilian Channel, and Adriatic Sea. Great whites are rarely found near land; catches, observations, and attacks have mostly occurred.

It is intriguing how sharks have caught goats, sheep, cats, dogs, and even the occasional horse, not to mention pigs. It is well known that pigs are proficient swimmers and that horses enjoy bathing, but who has ever seen a sheep splashing around Hydra despite the thousands of them there? Cats avoid water like the plague, so the statistics have made me ponder. It smells like human involvement.