Flying Visit

[stuartg]

Got back home from Halki (as some of you know) late last night. It wa great to be back, albeit for less than a day as it turned out. The Ryanair flight was slightly delayed (about one hour and 15 mins) because of a baggage handling screw-up. And as I discovered from Jane Chapman on Wednesday, the boat was leaving at 2.30 so I already knew that I was never going to make it. But as I turned out Yorgos the Taxi Driver had spoken to Alexandros the water taxi guy who agreed to come and pick me up for (wait for it) 230 Euros. But under the circumstances I needed to agree to that as the Nissos Halki wasn't sailing to Halki until 2.30 the next afternoon. So I found my self in one of the Tavernas waiting for the water taxi to come and pick me up - But it didn't show! I got a phone call from Jane C to tell we that the wind had reached Beaufort 6 and that the Harbour Police we're allowing to sail out of Halki. And to make matters worse the forecast for Friday was the same. So I was of course resigned to stay in one of the rooms in the blue taverna (20 Euros a night). The room was a pretty basic concrete box. Kamiros Scala at night makes Halki look like Las Vegas. There was nobody there except for me (most of the time), so I had some food and slightly too much to drink and went to bed. In the morning it was still really windy at first but it started to drop and by about half past ten after a pretty decent breakfast it had died down a lot, but to my utter frustration the Harbour Police still weren't allowing anything to sail. By this time I genuinely thought I was going to leave my marriage documents and suitcase full of wedding goodies at the Taverna for one of our Halki friends to pick up for me at some point. But thankfully about an hour later I got a call from JC to say the water taxi was on its way I was more than just a little bit relieved. End of Part One.

[Liz]

230 EUROS !!!!

I don't know which would stress me out more ......the wind or my wallett !

cant wait for part 2 ;D

[stuartg]

Part Two - The jaunt across to Halki with Alexandros was fast, bumpy, wet, expensive (crazily expensive), but actually quite good fun - APPARENTLY, the sea is like a woman! The weather in Halki over the last few days has not been the best, some heavy rain, quite a bit of cloud, strong winds, but most surprisingly it was bloody freezing. Even with my Northface fleece I was still cold. Thankfully the sun was shining whilst I was there. Met Jane C at the Harbour, and Nik had sent Lele down to pick up my suitcase. Jane came up to the Hotel with me to check my marriage documentation - which is all fine. Met the mayor and deputy mayor, and arranged the time for the actual marriage (6.00pm on July 8th - for anyone who's around - Jane M - do you want us to send you hat ideas?). After the town hall I headed straight to Ftenagia - sat and had a long chat with Nik and Lele (and Amanta!). I spoke to Vangelis on the phone - he's ill - bit of flu, and by the sound of it sinusitis. The plan for me was to do me daily dive off the jetty - but no jetty - it's still round at Kania. So instead I read a book on the beach listened to a bit of music, and then decided to go snorkeling - BIG MISTAKE - the water was like ice - amazingly cold - nearly had a seizure, but snorkeled for about 20 mins. There was only 3 other people there. In fact Halki is currently SO quiet it doesn't really feel that it was actually open for business, but great to be there anyway. I stayed the night at Zifos Studio (I think), tucked in behind Steki Bar. Not much of a view but actually really nice. Met Ervin for a couple of drinks at Steki. Jane and Tony - didn't sit at you table because it wasn't actually there (too cold to sit outside anyway). Had dinner at Avra Black Sea - which was nice, and after that onto Apostolis - where I sat and had a chat with Apostoli over a couple of Metaxas - and that was about it.

Thanks to everyone that kept in contact over the two days, otherwise I'd have felt a bit lonely and isolated in Kamiros Scala watching the tumble weed blow around. Jane Chapman who I think deserves the accolade of sainthood, Marie (obviously), Carol and Jane and Tony, and Cathy. And also Nik at Ftenagia - who's also been brilliant, helping me out, and Yorgos the taxi driver too.

It seems like I enjoyed my visit a lot - but at some points the stress-o-meter was right up at eleven.

Anyway back again on June 29 for three weeks (can't wait) and hopefully back again for a week in September (we'll see).

BTW apart from the delay (which I don't think was their fault) I'd say that Ryanair were good (better than Jet2 in my opinion, and about the same as EasyJet.

[janeandtony]

Phew- Hope your stress levels and your wallett are recovering. At least as Tony said you achieved what you set out to do. Well done.

Now that you have done the tricky bit we can all look forward to June when I'm sure that Halki will be its normal hot, relaxing little haven.

We are counting the days and yes please to hat ideas. ;D ;D

[daisy]

Sounds extremely stressful :obut as Jane says by June all will be as normal ;D

[Liz]

As already said it does sound stressful but will have been worth it for the preparation done for the wedding . ;D

[stuartg]

Absolutely right - it was stressful for the first day - brilliant the second - and stuff is sorting itself out nicely. July should be amazing.

[stuartg]

New stuff - Not much actually - but at Ftenagia they have painted all of the chairs and tables bright (Greek) blue, perfect contrast for our bright orange wedding table ware. At Apostoli's - they've built a new bar in the seating area - where the big screen used to be. Apart from that it's about the same.

[Liz]

I'm sure it will be an amazing day and wish you both the best of everything ........... ps ........can we have a webcam ? ;D ;D ;D ;D

[stuartg]

Webcam? Now - that would be good - I'll sort it out.

[lisa]

That would be great Stuart, as we can't actually be there it would be so great to see some of your wedding.

Cant't believe that the water taxi was so expensive, it has put paid to John's plan of using it if we are delayed!

Do hope that the weather has changed for the better, not long now!

[carol]

Does he charge that normally for that trip or was he aware you urgently needed to get there ? Cynical me, never just thought I would ask as that is a ridiculous amount of money for that length of journey isnt it ?

[stuartg]

Yep you're right Carol - cost 230 euros to get across to Halki and 12.50 euros to go back on the same boat.

[Deleted]

Ever been thus! Oppurtunism and avarice.

[Liz]

.. How many were on the boat ?