Elena Studio

[bowgal]

Hi everyone. I am a newbie to the forum and a newbie to Halki in a 12 days time. I can't wait!! I am so grateful for finding this forum. It is a wealth of information, even if every thread does seem to degenerate into discussion of various alcoholic beverages.

I have booked the Elena studio through Olympic. I know Olympic are not to everyone's taste, but for a single traveller, if you leave it quite late you can get a good deal. I thought when I stayed in a 12 room complex in Alykanas in Zante that that was as small a complex as I would get. How wrong I was. All the accommodation on Halki is only a few studios, and Elena is only one. How brilliant is that!!! I am hoping one of the regulars can pinpoint where it is. I have printed off the Nissia accommodation map and I know it is not on there, but can anyone tell me where it is in relation to the numbered accommodation?

I love to explore when I visit the Greek islands and am awaiting delivery of the hiking map as recommended in one thread. Although I know it will be hot I hope to set off early and make it to the castle and the monastery and, of course, to the beaches. I assume that as a 60+ year old woman ( but very fit)  I will be safe to explore alone.

I am so looking forward to sitting on the balcony in the evening with a simple meal and a glass or three. Might have to bring my secateurs to cut the tree back to get a good view!!!

[muriman]

Hi, Bowgal, welcome. Can't help with details of the Elena's position but as for hiking, yes you will be perfectly safe (although I suggest you should take a mobile phone and/or tell someone where you are planning to go if you are setting out for a long hike - and take water). The first part of the walk to the castle (beyond the taverna at Pondamos) is either along a track or a concrete road, then it's a steep scramble up a poorly-defined zig-zagging track. You can probably find the start of this last climb by heading for the little church in the old settlement and going through the gated church-yard, though I think there are other routes. When you get to some timber steps you are nearly there (unless there has been recent change - it's some years since I last made the climb and when I set out for it last September I had to give up owing to a blister on a foot). When on top don't go too near the edge as it's unprotected; but the view is worth the effort. The beer at Pondamos on the way back is reviving nectar. For the monastery, you may wish to consider taking the minibus for at least one direction as it's a long way at a hot time of year. You could conceivably make a combined trip to the castle and monastery by using the minibus or taxi for part of the trip, otherwise I think it would be too much to try to get to both on the same day.

[muriman]

PS - I think the Elena studio is about four layers up from the harbour roughly taking a line behind the yacht jetty, ie towards the right hand side looking from the sea; but others will probably be able to give a more accurate location.

[stevec]

Just to add to muriman's comments about the monastery, the bus is a bit of a non starter as it only make one trip up there on a Sunday afternoon, leaving the harbour side about 17.20 (be early, tends to be a tad quick off the mark, if not early), stopping at Chorio, before arriving at the monastery at 17.45. It then leaves at 18.00.

You can walk back, it's not a hard hike as the road climbs gently over the first mile or so a few hundred feet to the highest point (1500 ft) then descends steadily to level just before Pondamos, all of which will be clear from the hiking map when it arrives. I walked it in the heat of the day a few years back when the bus first started to operate and the time table was a lot more useful. I was shooting photographs as I went, so took me and my patient companion about an hour and a half to get to Pondamos - got a great reaction when we ordered 4 large Amstells and gave 2 glass back before they'd put the rest on the table. Without such distractions, should be do-able in an hour, which would give you about a margin of about another hour of daylight.

Alternatively, you could try the taxi - got a ridiculous quote (IMHO) for the trip and in those days business was slacker than now. May have moderated his pricing but seems to be doing a lot of runs back and forth to Kania (now only served by 2 visits a day), so I doubt it. 

It is possible to walk up and back in 3 hours - the best start time is considered to be on or before sunrise (0600 ish) so you can get over the saddle at the top of the climb before the sun really get too hot.

[jamesthebutler]

Steve, we used to stop at Pondamos for that Ice Cold in Alex moment, but in recent years have gritted our teeth and pushed on to Valantas and an easier return to the accommodation, talk about mind over matter with Pondamos getting closer with every step.

[paulhb]

Hi,
Couple of small points from a table in Apostolis!

Bus goes up to the Monastery on Fridays at 17.20. Should be enough time to walk back and as suggested not difficult and at that time of day magical.

Lot of work going on up at the castle so care needs to taken. Clear path up from the old village, made easier by workers but when up top mind the makeshift scaffold, bags of cement, stones and various tools left around. Still well with it for views and make sure you see the frescos in the church.

Make sure you get over to Kania, not the same since the bus came along but well worth it!

Enjoy the trip.


Cheers Paul

[bowgal]

Thanks so much for all the info on the bus to the monastery and other walks. I will probably do the monastery setting off early in the morning rather than use the mini bus but the info is useful. I will certainly take care at the castle if there is a lot of work going on, and Kania is definitely on the list.

 I have just spent the day supporting my son who has done the Ironman UK . A walk to the monastery seems rather pathetic after what he has done today!!! I am looking forward to the hiking map arriving, and then I will be able to get my bearings!

Does no one know the position of the Elena studio? I think you are right that it is on a level with the yacht mooring place judging by the photos that I have seen.

I really can't wait to get to Halki. Two more days teaching at school then the final week's countdown starts.

[stevec]

Had another good look at the thumbnail images on the Olympic site and pretty sure I've got the location nailed now. The buildings at the bottom of the slope furthest away on the water front are Nissia's Christina A & B, with Villa Eleni to the right (lower roof line). Coming back up the slope there is another Olympic unit just out of shot opposite the house with the satellite dish (and the Basset Hound) which is the start of the alley way that leads up to Elena Studios. That would put the site on the 5th tier. Front door to water for a swim just a couple minutes if you use the public access between The Old Court House and Christina.

Don't think I've got a library shot up the alleyway towards Elena, but will check and post a link if I have and it's been published on my Flickr site

[stevec]

Found something pretty quickly which is probably better as it shows the area and the other buildings I mentioned. Shot in late afternoon on 29th June 2011, so a couple of changes happened since then, notably the yellow painted building on the water front is now a supermarket.

Elena Studio - location

Elena is visible on the left hand side, close to the edge and next to a white building with orchre edging and blue shutters. Above it is a mauve painted building. Draw a line at 45 degrees down to the water front and you'll see the building with the satellite dish (white wall, golden yellow balcony shutter). 'Villa Eleni' is the building with the F/F patio, to the right and slightly stepped forward is 'Christina' and just beyond that is The Old Court House (derelict, no roof)



Edit: Found 2 others of interest

Ella - view up alley towards

Although 7 years old, nothing has changed. Basset Hound, when in residence, found prone by blue chair on right hand side.

Elena - view down alley

Taken 2 years ago and I think from either to the side of or in front of 'Elena'. Have shots of the blue building behind in several albums but nothing more than long distance shots that include 'Elena'.

Hope these help

[bowgal]

Thank you so much stevec for taking the time to find those photos. I think I have got it sorted now with the position of the Elena. It just makes me more excited about getting there in 9 days time.  Your pictures are wonderful. I am sure Halki will be just as beautiful as the pictures.

[stevec]

No problem bowgal. Was shooting up in that area again this year to update my Hidden Halki series but not started work on the images yet as been back less than a week, so may have something better still.

Halki is very photogenic, particularly in the very early morning as the sun comes up over the saddle at the eastern end of the harbour and paints the building with a golden light which in turn, on a calm morning, reflects back into the water. Last for about 30 minutes or so. Late afternoon, before the sun drops down to put the whole harbour into shade, you can get a very silvery light reflected in the water.