Some balcony shots today taken on Tuesday. Also happening today (Tuesday) is Koukoumas, the old tradition of discovering who your husband will be via a jug of water, jewellery, salty pies and singing. If we can get there, we’ll try and get some photos. It’s also the first of May as I write, which means it’s the day for collecting wildflowers and putting them on your gate until the feast of St John (not sure which St John). Must also try and remember to do that.
Tomorrow, there’s going to be an unusual blog post, a guest post by someone who specialises in moving abroad. I don’t mean he does it regularly, but his company advise on moving your belongings to Greece generally, and it’s an interesting read. But that’s tomorrow. Today, here are the rest of the balcony photos.
Just to clear up a few things on last week’s minutes, as it were: Saturday’s post was written in a hurry and not checked, so ignore those typos, and, re the Plaza Hotel, yes you’re welcome to use it to drop luggage if you ask (mention your Symi connection), but you really ought to have a drink and use the facilities in return. And now to drop in something completely non-Symi related, mainly to complete a discussion I was having with Basschick: “Louis VIII the Lion (French: Louis VIII le Lion; 5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226) was King of France from 1223 to 1226. He also claimed the title King of England from 1216 to 1217. Louis VIII was born in Paris, the son of King Philip II of France and Isabelle of Hainaut, from whom he inherited the County of Artois.”
Claimed, not crowned, so not really, and probably nothing to do with the next royal baby, and there we are. Back to normal service…
Just looking from the balcony yesterday morning and I was able to see several private yachts coming and going, catamarans and those white ‘Sunsail’ ones. Neil, having been to Yialos and back, reported that the cafés were fairly busy with morning coffee drinkers, and there had been only the Spanos boat in so far that day. I also noticed a large group of people coming off it on Sunday and Saturday, but then there was a wedding or baptism or something taking place over the weekend, at least one. Georgio’s was busy on Saturday night when we were treated to a meal out at the Trawler – who gave us a wonderful meal at an excellent price, plus an extra jug of wine.
It made me think, there are two ways of eating here in Greece (probably many more, but for the purpose of this…) The three of us, on Saturday, opted for a meze meal, six small dishes between us. That’s a fair way of doing it, as we chose two each and shared, thus giving us all the chance to try a bit of everything. You can also go for the more British format which is to have a starter and then a main and maybe be a little Italian afterwards and go for a dessert elsewhere, though many restaurants also serve desserts; depends where you are. After having a starter, I find it hard to cram in a main course, so it’s one or the other for me, especially if going for a pork chop from a grill. Have you seen the size of the ‘dino-burgers’ we have here on Symi, and elsewhere in Greece? I swear they come from some pretty huge pigs. One of those and I’m fed for the next 24 hours, and how some folk manage starters and such a main is enviable.
At the moment, the bus is running until nine pm, which means we walked up on Saturday night as the taxis also tend to stop early in the evening at this time of year. It’s only May 1st today (kalo mina!) although it feels like it should be later in the season already because Easter feels like it was months ago, and the weather has been rather June for April. That could change in May because April to early June can be variable, but if it has indeed settled into its summer pattern, we’re in for a long hot summer and, I hope, lots more dining out, but not on this chap.
Rhodes was a success, at least my trip there was. Did some business, had a consultation with a specialist (part of my annual health-check MOT, nothing to worry about folks), had our wedding rings engraved (nearly got them the wrong way around), wandered the Old Town, had lunch in the new town, had a rest by a swimming pool, wandered some more… When you have 10 hours before your boat back, and your appointments take only three, and you’ve not got a car to go and explore the island, you need to think of things to do to amuse yourself. I managed, and the boat trip back seemed to be over in a flash.
Meanwhile, back on Symi… It’s early Sunday morning as I write and there are two clean-up initiatives going on today. The Poseidon is doing its annual ‘clean up Sesklia’ trip for any volunteers who want to go along. I believe that this is free, includes lunch and in return, you help clear the flotsam and jetsam from the beach. A bit late to tell you this now as it happened yesterday, but I only found out about it late on Saturday night. Also on Sunday, the scouts are organising a task force to clean up the village playground at Kampos, and paint the equipment etc.
View from the giros table
Down in the harbour, I’d say that most businesses were now open and ready; a few may still be putting finishing touches. We’ve had dayboats and day-trippers coming over, and a few regulars have started to return for their summer stays here. It is only April, I keep reminding myself when I see that harbour quiet, it feels like it should be June because Easter seems so long again, but no, it’s still very early season. I have to say, the businesses are looking good, cleaned up and repaired after the storm. Newly painted and ready to welcome punters.
Quiet Friday, late afternoon in April.
That goes for the village too where everything is now open, apart from Taverna Zoi which will be open soon, no doubt. So, if you want a village wander of an evening, you can take in the whole route: The Secret Garden, Sunrise Kafeneion, The Olive Tree (open soon), Georgio’s taverna, the Rainbow, Lefteris’ kafeneion, the Jean and Tonic, (Taverna Zoi) and Ringo’s bar at Kampos. On the way you can ‘do’ three supermarkets, the Chinese Emporium, a couple of clothes shops, a toy shop, a couple of household stores, shoe shop, greengrocers, bakery x 2, and ‘B&Q’ the ironmongers – and anyone else I’ve missed out. Oh, a couple of hairdressers, another household shop, the herb shop… But no butcher, not at the moment. George the butcher is joining the priesthood, and I heard a rumour that one of Zoi’s boys is training and preparing to open a new butcher shop in the village. Excellent.
Waiting for the 9pm bus
So, it’s all go, and I’m also going. Have a good week!
I’m in Rhodes today for a couple of appointments. I know that sometimes, on your way to Symi, you find yourself with time in Rhodes, waiting for the afternoon boat. I thought I’d suggest a few things to do, a couple of tips, or at least, what I do when I’m hanging around for a day. Let’s imagine that you land at the airport in the morning but too late for the early boat, and there’s a Blue Star crossing later that day (Wednesday/Friday). What do you do?
Blue Star coming into Rhodes
It depends on how much time you actually have, of course, but one tip we often suggest to people is to head to the Plaza Hotel. You can do that from the airport by taxi or bus. This hotel will let you leave your luggage while you go wandering, or you can sit by the pool, use the pool even, have lunch or chill in the bar with their free wifi and friendly staff. It’s not far from the shops and other New Town attractions either, so, dump your luggage and take a walk.
Mandraki in winter
There are plenty of places for lunch nearby. We recently discovered the Lebanese restaurant (out of the Plaza, turn left, cross the road, down the shopping precinct, turn left before the trendy clothes shop opposite what was the China Kitchen) and it’s down there. There are also to barbers down there should you need a haircut, and a cool jazz bar. If you continue along the precinct rather than turn left and then cross the road and head diagonally right, you will eventually come to the sea. It’s a pleasant walk around the headland and back to Mandraki if you turn right, and there’s also coastal path at the end of the beach on the left which takes you beneath the cliffs for a while.
The end of the precinct, turn left before you get here.
There’s the Old Town moat which is a very nice walk especially early in the season when it’s not too hot, and the flowers are out. That’s free, and there’s an entrance near the taxi rank at Mandraki. Then there’s the old Town itself with its collection of bars, cafes, tavernas and shops. Head into the back streets to see a more authentic old town, ruins, sites and eateries, but don’t get lost and miss your boat.
A walk in te moat
Another place to go to, depending on time, is the Nimos Taverna just inside Akandia gate. A taxi will drop you at the gate, which is actually a tunnel under the old wall. The restaurant is just at the end of it. This is run by two Symi guys and has the standard Greek fare but at fair prices and it’s off the main drag so not too noisy. Also, it’s only a short walk along the road to the Blue Star when it’s time to go. Leave enough time though, as the boat might be out at the end of the quay, so I’d leave at least 20 minutes from taverna to tailgate.
In the moat
Those are the kind of things I do when hanging around in Rhodes. I also go to the old fish market at Mandraki where there’s the Symi Café, run by the lovely Irini and her family; everyone welcome. There are public toilets there too (50c) which are well looked after, and in the gents (don’t know about the ladies) you can watch ‘fail’ videos where people fall off things and have skateboarding accidents. Don’t know why, but it’s wonderfully quirky.
I can’t list everything that’s available on one post of course, but knowing where to leave your luggage is probably the most important thing. If you’re with a holiday company like Olympic, that will be taken care of for you, but if you’re independent, then it could be a handy tip. Whatever you do, make sure you check the departure time of your boat, so you don’t miss it. If you do, then it’s a night in Rhodes, and that’s a whole new ball game for another post.
