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Post by rodandjackie on Oct 2, 2008 20:58:26 GMT
Returned yesterday after 2 weeks - back at work today  weather not quite as good as far as both consistent sunshine or evenings temps as we would have liked in second week but, we were on Halki... It good to meet up with Muiriman and family Lynn and Jim, David, Anne and Peter, Helen and Alfred plus sundry other familiar faces known only to us by nickname. Works had started all along the 'prom' in relaying sewer/water pipes; an exercise in Health and Safety at Work plus effective time management. We renamed Marias Taverna Miasma as a result and, as such, became part of the Black Sea Mafia. Could only get into tartan table cloths once ! As regards 'new' Omnia, had lunch and dinner there; absolutely no problems with service or food quality. We ate in several lunchtimes and the evenings (went out for drink afterwards to keep Daisy happy). A good evening meal was two of Dimitiris pizza slices at Euro1.30 each, some tzatziki and home made Greek Salad with retsina from those cracking value 2litre bottles . This cut down costs a bit. We had budgeted 50 Euros a day but average spend was 38 Euros, we only hit budget target when we ate out both lunchtime and dinner or included an extra such as minibus to Monastery. Flights absolutely spot on; Rhodes airport seemed almost deserted - outgoing we had a 5hr lunch at KS due to late incoming flights behind us. The Greek Army was doing some amphibious training at KS that was worth watching though. Central heating on tonight though ! We will rebook for Sept next year but may do just a week either 9th or 16th simply to give us a bit more leave to see other places. All the best. Rod and Jackie |
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Post by carol on Oct 2, 2008 22:22:16 GMT
Good to hear from you, we had heard the weather was not so good for your second week, autumn is perhaps coming early to those parts this year, they had a very hot May and possibly are now suffering for it. We, that is Daisy and husband and ourselves are returning on 2nd september for two weeks next year, great if you could be there for a week or so ;D Thanks for spreading the Halkivisiting word to Muriman ;D
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Post by anneandpeter on Oct 3, 2008 7:59:03 GMT
Well done Rod and Jackie. I noticed yesterday morning that you were quick off the mark in visiting the site on your return. ( 8.30.pm on 1.10.2008 I believe). You fared a bit better than us on return at Rhodes airport. We were stuck in the check-in queue for 1 hour and 20 mins, but once through to Departures were on the plane within half an hour, took off 5 minutes ahead of schedule and we 'flew' home,to coin a phrase.
We had a wonderful holiday. it was nice to meet people we only previously knew by 'name', but for now I'm going to update with what has been going on on the site while we have been away before making any other comment.
One thing I will say, the Hotel has been transformed, a lovely place to sit on the terrace with a drink and enjoy a view of the harbour I had forgotten existed.
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Post by anneandpeter on Oct 3, 2008 11:59:25 GMT
Well, that's completed my catching up on the site. Took me almost three hours. Certainly been more going on here than in Halki for the past two weeks. I especially liked the wonderful photos that are being posted, and the fun people are having in perfecting the art of doing so. I even finished up ordering a Halki calendar from Tomg.
I can endorse Rodandjackie's comments about the weather and evening temperatures. The first time in 10 visits we have needed a 'pully' or coat in the evenings. That and a couple of storms gave the impression that the summer was over, supported by the fact that Nick had removed the Ftenegia jetty to the 'fish farm bay' for the winter, Valentis grill closed during the second week and the 'roadworks' going on around the harbour. But it was still Halki, and the weather was better than we had experienced in a UK summer, and indeed since we have returned.
It's nice to find that people are still looking forward to going over the next few weeks , and obviously the season is not over yet. We would like to be with them.
We have nothing booked for next year yet. With the present climate ( X/L etc. that is) we'll wait and see. Although it appears that DG/TC only have about 7 properties available for next year, Zifos has 19, and there are other options including Nissia and, of course, the hotel. So I don't think there is any need to panic.
That's it then , till next time.
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Post by Liz on Oct 3, 2008 18:24:13 GMT
Welcome Back R&J  ......I'm impressed by your budget ..38 Euros a day ! ..I don't know how you do it ( don't let my OH know ) I agree with you on the Retsina 'bargain' bottles ..what a Godsend lol . How far along the harbour is the digging work going on ?? and have you any idea how long its going to last ? |
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Post by anneandpeter on Oct 3, 2008 19:01:22 GMT
The 'roadworks', as I call them, started in front of the Post Office and progressed along the harbourside past the Omnia and Tartan tablecloths to the next bar, where they halted. Temporarily, I believe, as I understand they will continue to the end by Apostalias. They then recommenced at the other end of the harbour outside Dimitris Villa , where they did a twenty yards section back to in front of Miriams. The object is to continue the trench back to join up where they started at the Post Office.
I was told that they have to get it finished by the end of December in order to qualify for the EU grant which is, of course, funding the operation. Hence the need to start the work while the tourists are still in situ.
Obviously, It's all very inconvenient, but I suppose, long term, it's to everyones benefit.
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Post by rodandjackie on Oct 3, 2008 19:29:50 GMT
Hi Liz and thanks, I do keep accounts for hols simply to compare the annual 'hike' as such but we always over budget and were a bit cautious with the exchange rate being what it is - the best day was when we did Greek salad in our Villa for lunch and then the Pizza option 'at home' with big beans and salad in the evening, then went out for a drink or two at dear Miriam's - total cost 19 Euros for the whole day. We tend to bring our own cereals for brekkers and I am a sucker for Dimitri's chocolate coissant once in a while. One day we topped the 50 Euro mark with the bus ride to the monastery, walk back, lunch at Pondamos as the well deserved treat, and ate out in the evening big time. I was hungry that day. Anne and Peter have given an excellent description of the road works and the timetable, hopefully next year you won't see the join !
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Post by rodandjackie on Oct 4, 2008 7:10:24 GMT
Woke up to a ground frost today ! R
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Post by daisy on Oct 4, 2008 8:26:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2008 9:07:07 GMT
Top retsina tip....get yourself to Rhodes on the Panagia Spilani on a Wednesday and go to Lidl....1.5 litres of retsina is 90 cents !!
This boat is also a better way to Halki leaves Rhodes at 15.00 and you're on Halki by 17.00
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Post by Di on Oct 4, 2008 9:40:16 GMT
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Post by Amanda on Oct 4, 2008 11:28:00 GMT
Top retsina tip....get yourself to Rhodes on the Panagia Spilani on a Wednesday and go to Lidl....1.5 litres of retsina is 90 cents !! This boat is also a better way to Halki leaves Rhodes at 15.00 and you're on Halki by 17.00 Betsy, where does this boat leave Rhodes from? We're going next week and it would be great not to have to wait at KS for the Halki ferry. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2008 14:10:37 GMT
From a harbour called Collona which is next to the commercial harbour in Rhodes any taxi driver should know it and the fare is only 16 euros
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Post by Amanda on Oct 5, 2008 10:22:19 GMT
Thanks for the info Betty. And I'm sorry, Rod & Jackie, for hijacking your post. I've moved this query about the ferry onto the 'Taxis & Transfers' board, where I've got another question or two for you Betsy if you don't mind. Great post holiday info everyone. It looks as if I'm now looking forward to watching the harbour upheavel from Dorothea. Hope it's not pongy 24 hours a day  Can anyone tell me if all the tavernas are still open? And Ftenagia? |
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Post by anneandpeter on Oct 5, 2008 12:01:18 GMT
Yes Amanda,. As at last Wednesday, Ftenagia and all tavernas still open. Valentis Grill was the only closure. Nick did say he would remain open while he had customers, so I'm sure you will be OK there.
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weather not quite as good as far as both consistent sunshine or evenings temps as we would have liked in second week but, we were on Halki... It good to meet up with Muiriman and family Lynn and Jim, David, Anne and Peter, Helen and Alfred plus sundry other familiar faces known only to us by nickname.
......I'm impressed by your budget ..38 Euros a day ! ..I don't know how you do it ( don't let my OH know 
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