Day Trippers !

[j90]

Jane and Tony,

Neil says hi it's good to hear from you. Yes, like you he's never really liked Pondamos and has sort of 'grown up' with Angelo, Irvine and Leli over the years.

Because we are planning a 2 island hop next year, probably Fourni then Halki, Neil may well select his own dates. He will not want to come to Fourni with us for the first week!

Do hope the trippers leave Ftenigia well alone for you in 2009 and the harbour front should be restored to its former glory by then. Enjoy.

Regards

j90

[janeandtony]

Hi j90 we couldn't couldn't think of a better crowd to grow up with!!!! ;)We look forward to seeing Neil next year and we hope that you have a brilliant holiday on Fourni- let us know what it's like. Best wishes

[Andrew]

Hi All

This is my first post on this site, so well done for setting this up.

I hope I don't come across as too negative, but ...

We have been going to Halki for ten years as a family; my kids are now 13 and 11. The day trippers significantly increased in both frequency and numbers in 2008. It hit us more as we are Pondamos lovers, but on seven of the thirteen days we spent at Pondamos there were absurd numbers of trippers on the beach.

I don't believe that they help the island's economy a great deal, apart from the boat owners. One of the prominent Halkians (a shop owner) was very angry about them (bringing their own food, dropping litter etc.)

The litter on Pondamos was awful. Cigarette butts, food wrapping, broken glass and a large Richard III floating in the sea. (Fellow Londoners will know what that is; others can probably guess - clue - not a Bird)

This year was the first time we didn't book for the following year on returning home. This is so sad as many of the islanders don't want them there either and will suffer anyhow with the recession and the huge price hikes in flights.

I can't yet bring myself to say that we aren't going back in '09 but for the very first time, we are havung doubts.

Cheers
Andrew

[carol]

Hi Andrew, welcome to the board, your comments are echoing those of quite a few other people on here, particularly those who frequent Pondamos. I mentioned in an earlier post that we returned on the ferry with people who had visited Halki for many years and are not returning next year for the very same reasons you have stated. It is a very great shame that this situation has arisen, if it were benefitting the island I would have no complaints but it appears to be only lining a few peoples pockets to the detriment of the island and the regular visitors who spend a great deal of money there every year. Hopefully the powers that be will be made aware of locals and visitors feelings before it is too late and people find another island to visit, sermon over

[Liz]

Hi Andrew and welcome

Like Carol says you have echoed what alot have said and probably more have thought

We went over to Pondamos this year for a couple of lunches and I must admit if it had been my first time to Halki I would have been digusted by the state of the beach ( didn't see any Richards tho' )
Its hard when we've all banged the drum for so long ( some longer than others ) about how fabulous Halki is to then be negative about something ...but it's something that is fixable ..beach cleaning on a small island should be a priority and I'm loathe to say it but surely if your being charged to lie on a sunbed then some of that money should go towards litter bins and cleaning .
as for the trippers ...someone is going to have to put a cap on how many come over

[Enforcer]

With a little bit of ingenuity the Day-trippers problem could easily be solved.

All that is needed is a multilingual sign pointing to Kania beach placed at the Kania junction. Unless you are specifically looking for it, Pondermos beach is not obvious.

By the time the trippers have trundled down to Kania, fought over the two sun beds, trod all over each other to get to the water then climbed back to the town they will never return and the word would soon get out among the rest of the Rhodes tourists.

I commend this idea to the house! ;D

P.S. Thank you Liz.

[Deleted]

Enforcer, Tongue in cheek I know but, apart from the Greek day trips which appear to take place on a Sunday and are a case apart, the ones now seen descending in droves most days of the week, are organised by the relevant tour guides in Rhodes. The lemmings know what they are coming to and what for long before they leave their Rhodes accom. On arrival, if one sits and observes, they are again given on the spot instructions. I firmly believe they are directed to whatever location/establishment has been arranged in advance. Do not be taken in by any local saying they don't know the trippers are coming. Those that complain most are those which for reasons best known to themselves, are not involved. Some of them granted, have every right to complain. Observation shows that the guides/reps are totally in cahoots with the the ferry Captain (One in particular). It is difficult to see what may be done about it. It is my feeling that this "problem" is not going to go away. It may and probably will in time be modified but banished,never.

[Enforcer]

sth, my recent entry was completely facetious, just a little hand grenade to generate further discussion.

We have been on the waterfront since 1994 so are not really affected by the invasion, in fact it gives us a chance to people-watch and eavesdrop their comments about Halki during our afternoon ice cream session. Johnny foreigner is as bad as we English believing that no one else understands his or her language. It is an internal problem that the people of Halki have to resolve but one can feel sympathy for those who rely on the beaches for access to the sea.

There is also an element of parochialism for those of us who have been visiting for a long time when it was mainly the UK tourists’ money that helped to support the island. We discovered Halki through Laskarina and were told that some of the cost of the holiday was solely for the renovation of the stone walkway around the church and to this day I do not think anyone objected.

At the end of the day it will be an island bean-counting decision weighing up the £. s. d.

[Liz]

aaaahhh but ....how many beans make five

BTW ..Enforcer ..you're welcome

[Deleted]

I realised it was facetious hence my comment re tongue in cheek. Indeed if the islanders see this issue as a problem I'm sure they will move on it somehow. Those of us who like their beaches as they "used to was" will have to go along with whatever happens. As a waterfront devotee you will be remote from it and for those like me who see the day trippers arriving and head off in the opposite direction, it is someone else's problem. I do hope that apostrophe is in the correct place if Lynn Truss is looking in! Happy hols.

[Deleted]

I have heard recently that used needles have been seen on the beach at Pondamos. Now that is NOT good. I think some representation to the authorities has been made.

[Liz]

Nov 5, 2008 16:43:33 GMT @sth said:

I have heard recently that used needles have been seen on the beach at Pondamos. Now that is NOT good. I think some representation to the authorities has been made.

That is scarey

[Deleted]

The cleaning of Pondamos beach is an old chestnut and has been discussed for years. In view of these increasing numbers of short time visitors and the many stories now being related of filth and etc., it may be time for the powers that be, to consider appointing "a person" to sweep/rake the beach on a daily early morning basis during the main part of the season. It would not seem unreasonable to me. Hey, who am I! I suspect any such suggestion may be met with a Grecian shrug and a raising of the eyebrows.

[Di]

Hell's teeth If Pondamos was swept or raked on a daily basis there'd be nothing left of it....

[Deleted]

Once a week would be better than not at all.