Oh what a nightmare

[holidayhappy]

Sadly my first experience of Halki was not a good one.  I could not post daily threads as one of the first things that went wrong was my tablet gave up the ghost ........ but here is a brief run through of my week.

Day 1 Wednesday - boat trip from hell........ I have never been sea sick in my life until that trip.......... , then Olympic had clearly underplayed how many steps there were to my apartment, then..... I was given a groundfloor room not upper room.  travelling alone I prefer to be in an upper room........

Day 2 Thursday - after sleepless night, shook myself of and decided to look at Halki.... it is lovely, but it is a lot of steps/hills......

Day 3 Friday - another sleepless night in a terrible bed.  apartment is getting me down now.  not a comfortable place to put my head or a comfortable seat to sit in to read my books.......... (thanks to Zifos I had some reading)  unfortunately being tired taints your view of whats around you.

Day 4 Saturday - could not take it any longer. rang Olympic to find me somewhere else on Rhodes........  This is when I met Mary.  ........ we could find nothing suitable with Olympic on the island and they were not being helpful about getting me somewhere on Rhodes and it was going to cost me a fortune to move..... so Mary asked me quite simply 'would I pay to stay on the island', she showed me a lovely apartment which cost a fraction of what it would have cost me to move to Rhodes and I took it.  it was lovely....... comfortable bed, patio with sunbeds and comfortable furniture and sea view to die for

Day  Sunday - enjoyed my new apartment, sunning myself on the balcony, eating lovely food and meeting nice people

Day 6 Monday - same as day 5

Day 7 Tuesday - well what can I say, thunder and lightning during the night, gale force winds during the day..... but the entertainment of watching the saga with the boat in the harbor (I do not make light of it, I know no-one was hurt thank goodness) kept us all occupied.

Day 8 Wednesday - going home

plus side, Greek people were amazing, people I met on holiday were so friendly, food fantastic, could not get enough of greek salad ..........and the wine ........ well enough said there...............

DOWN SIDE - don't go Olympic........

What I learned: for me I found it toooo quiet...... I discovered a lot about what I need from a holiday.  I like to walk in the olive groves, walk along long sandy beaches, a bit of history, buses to jump on to see local area, and a good vineyard to hunt down........... even better a raki distillery. haha

but in my quest to see many different greek islands, I am glad I came.........

[carol]

What a shame, I am so sorry you didn't enjoy Halki, it sounds like Olympic really let you down and I am sure that would not have helped, thank goodness that Mary got things sorted out for you so at least you were comfortable for some of the time. You were unfortunate to experience a very rough crossing but I am afraid it does happen, thankfully not too often and a wet windy day in June is very unusual. On a positive I am pleased you enjoyed the food and the people and as you say you have seen another island even if it maybe wasn't quite what you expected. Thank you for posting on here and letting us know your thoughts, they could well be useful to other new visitors.

[Kinygos]

A conjunction of unfortunate events indeed.
That said, Halki isn't for everyone.
But if it is...
We all have our own thing that we enjoy, and if we can do it on Halki it is even better.

I can, and I do!

The anticipation!



Fish on!



The trophy shot.



Emergency post fishing re-hydration.



The fish feast.



... but it wouldn't suit everyone!

[holidayhappy]

you are right, my 'unfortunate events' as you put it did taint my experience on Halki. and I have to say I was saddened that I didn't enjoy it as I love everything about Greece...... it feels like coming home whenever I step of the plane.......

Now I am home and have had a good night sleep I like to think if I had found the second apartment first my experience would not have been so bad.

the people were still wonderful, the food was still amazing, the wine was still nicely chilled, and the view of the harbor was amazing......

Note to self: never go Olympic haha

So, I will start searching for my next island and say Yamas to all the friends both Greek and English that I met........

Happy Holidays

[Liz]

I'm sorry to hear that Halki was not for you.. can you tell us where you stayed ? it might help other people in the future ( sorry if you've said this elsewhere )

[holidayhappy]

Stayed at Dorothea Studios No 2. With Olympic holidays - HORRENDOUS.

After 3 days Maria found me a private let (wish I could remember the name) which was wonderful. wish I had had that one first........ unfortunately 3 nights in Dorothea left me with a bad back due to bed that should be on scrap heap......


don't get me wrong, Halki is beautiful. people wonderful and friendly, food great, loved the Black Dog for Greek Salad and restaurant next to Bakery (sorry bad with names) for Souvlaki and Stuffed peppers............. and the wine... well enough said haha........

luckily the bad memories are receeding as is my bad back and the good memories are remaining. and I have some great memories.

I never go back to the same island twice as I want to see as many as I can.

So for those newbees going - really check out your accommodation. for those who go every year........... ENJOY

YAMMAS

[Liz]

Thanks for that .. it always good to know these things

[scouser55]

I think it is important to remember when reading posts that everyone is an individual and we may want different things. I stayed in No 2 Dorothea Studios last year and loved it. I know a lot of people do like the accommodation at Dorothea. I have also travelled with Olympic numerous times and everything has gone smoothly.