Halki - July 18 update - moves & changes

[stevec]

First the moves:

Apostolis – now called “Skippers” and operated by the building’s owners, who also run the supermarket next door. Understand change not wanted by Apostolis and he’s looking for somewhere to re-establish the bar. Refitted cafe/bar wasn’t seen to be particularly popular in our time on the island, even on match days.

Babis – taken on a cafe the other side of LaPiazza to Remezzo’s. Existing restaurant now run by another island family. Change to name on canopy front not obvious until you spot ‘Babis’ not part of the text anymore.


Now the changes

Fedon’s got a new livery – hull is light dove grey and so is that part of the cabin above the original white mid section.

Eya (fishing trips and more) is laid up half a mile up the road from Kania

The last of the partially rebuilt water front properties, on the market for perhaps 5 years or more, appears to have been sold. Doors and windows being fitted and a ground floor platform over the harbour was being prepared. This leaves only one on the western side (house with the green shutters), the house next to Ellena and the Old Court House left to do. Several of the other houses, including several higher up in the village away from the usual holiday accommodation, are being renovated.

Two units have been started at the far eastern end of the village where the concrete road was put down a few years ago. Progress was hesitant, with some of the steel reinforcement for the concrete pillars being assembled.

Price of retsina gone up to €6.9 for a 1½ litre bottle now full impact of VAT at 24% has taken effect. If gin (or other imported spirits) is your tipple – take it with you. A standard 37% bottle of Gordon's gin will cost you a few cents short of €20, whereas if you time it right, 43% 1l bottle of Tangueray will cost you £21.50 in Waitrose or £22 in Sainsbury’s (not now – but new offer probably not far away...).

Taverna prices are broadly the same as last year, though lamb dishes do seems to be rather more expensive than I remember it – up €2-3 to around €12.

Day trippers, especially Russians, were down in numbers during the world cup – which probably wasn’t unexpected. Nissos Halki carrying the most with the Nikos Express and Fedon doing broadly similar numbers (subjective assessment).
Thursday wasn’t the heavy day for Kania in our 2 weeks – but may change once the usual tripper routine kicks in.

Experiment with the infra red converted camera worked out well and I started posting them on Flickr (it’ll be a few weeks before the album is complete). Also managed to tail gate one of the day tripper groups and photograph the inside of the church for the first time. It’s the only church I’ve come across that has any a/c – very effective too!

[Liz]

We were confused at first by Fedon's new colours ..I don't know the ins and outs of families who owns what etc .. but regardless.. I'd say buy your tipples on the island .. it may cost you a tad more but your supporting the local economy

[Deleted]

My OH said "What, no Hendricks?" No but I'll have it tomorrow. It was there, complete with cucumber. Service with a smile!
Oh and --- cheaper by a long way than in UK. Will I buy my spirits in the UK for consumption in Halki - you must be on another planet.

[stevec]

No, not on another planet sth. Price checked. We get through a litre a week when we are away and like our gin to have a bit of bite, so importing 43% Tanqueray at £21/l makes sense to us compared to paying €28 (or more) for 70cl bottle locally. If you can get you favourite Hendrick's gin at less than equivalent of £28 a bottle that's fantastic.

[Deleted]

The size & cost of the gin (or any other spirit) provided on Halki against the cost of a "measure" of similar in UK means (to me) that it makes no sense whatever to consider buying a bottle of spirits in UK and lugging it all the way to Greece. Many years ago there were two regulars to Halki who never ate out in a taverna. They carried pre packed meat of all sorts with them and bought spuds and veg locally (in those days from a visiting veg. man) as there were no supermarkets. Now that was "another planet" scenario!
When I go to Halki, I leave "all" of the UK behind me. If I couldn't afford to spend time out there without fretting about the cost of a drink, I wouldn't go. On arrival, I walk into Lefteris and pick up whatever we both want to have in the house to drink - spirits, wine, mixers etc., I don't care what the price is, I'm on holiday and I've made sure I have enough to cover it all, whatever all may be. I do agree with Liz that to spend in the local stores and give our hosts that benefit is the way to go. Each to his own. Oh and by the way, FYI, Babis is not being "run by another island family". It is being run by the owner and his son. Namely, Babis. Soula and Lois were tennants and had to move on. Not important in the greater scheme of things but possibly worth mentioning as I say- FYI. Have a good day.

[friendsofhalki]

On Halki 25/7 to 8/8 and can endorse these useful observations. Apostoli is sadly missed this year and we hope he can establish his bar somewhere else next year. His cocktails are a delight.

[Curiouser]

Not been on here for a long time but have been enjoying numerous visits to Halki. The idea of bringing bottles of gin of whatever brand to consume on Halki just astounds me. Aren’t holidays the place to get away from it all. One of my favourite tipples is a g & t, preferably Harris, but for goodness sake surely we can support the island economy and repay a little of their amazing hospitality by choosing to buy drinks in the bars and tavernas.

[Liz]

Totally agree curiouser ..its almost a petty thing .. but if we all did it then it would have a massive effect ... and be honest the only place I've asked for extra tonic is the Piazza bar .. the measures are huge ... even by my standards