j90
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Posts: 82
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Post by j90 on Jul 7, 2016 14:15:34 GMT
Just returned from a combined Tilos/ Halki holiday. We decided to visit Tilos because our last visit was a few years back and Halki because it is our annual 'Halki Fix'.
Dimitri now drives a bigger Mercedes Bus and it is needed!! Usually 3 day tripper boats every day and the usual Russian trip to Kania on a Thursday. Last Thursday 40 arrived. Garafalya said that the previous week 70 Russians arrived and she had 20 other people on the beach. For us the only issue was numbers on a small beach but Garafalya has organised extra staff such that there was minimal 'histrionics' from the Day Trip Agent. Last year we found the rudeness of this person towards Garafalya, Popi and Stamati particularly galling. Better judgement stopped me from interfering. I am pleased I didn't- it wasn't my place to.
Stamati returns from University in Athens soon but the addition of Maniya from Zifos Office is a bonus. Her English is excellent. Our lunch was always excellent too. Maria and Popi provide faultless fare. Most days the water was great. The initial plunge is always a bit of a mind game but once in it was so cooling. Beach temps were in the high 30s
Garafalya's Dream Beach is pretty much complete and they must have worked very hard in the off season. All of the dining areas are now covered and the bar area moved to the opposite side of the beach plus new changing cubicle.
We didn't visit any other beaches so cannot comment.
I would say that numbers are down but not alarmingly and generally one would not know that the country has a monetary crisis. The Greek Islands seem to have an innate way of coping.
Christos has taken over the pharmacy area for more dining space. We had good food as usual at Black Sea(Tomazsi) Babis(Zoi),Valentis, Megefseis(Christos) and Michael at Minori. Michael's Raki is still outrageous. Sadly, Lefkosia's looked very uninviting and rarely had anybody dining!
We are not Pizza people so will leave that to officianados to comment on Remezzo.
The 3 supermarkets are still in place and appear to be well stocked.
Watering holes at To Steki, Costas and Apostolis are as good as ever as is the ice cream and cake at Theodosias. The parrot was in good voice as usual. All of the soft chairs have gone at La Piazza cocktail bar near Theodosia, replaced by upright chairs and standard tables.
Finally, some quite smart yachts and Turkish Gulets at the marina and anchored in the bay. Nice to see that some sizeable groups from these frequented the tavernas. Interestingly I overheard a particularly smartly dressed lady from one of the big yachts commenting to her fellow diners in a very loud voice that she never drank screw top bottle wines.
Each to their own I say but she may have missed out on some very palatable Aussie and Chilean wines. Suffice it to say that she had Zoi 'doing cartwheels' trying to provide a white to her taste. He failed!!
The ferry transfer from Halki to K Scala was uneventful until turning the corner at the harbour. A German flagged yacht was tied up where the Nissos Halki usually berths. The Fedon was already tied up as was the ubiquitous Symi 2. Nowhere for the N Halki to go. Much blasting of horns and locals banging on yacht bow. Finally bleary eyed occupants appeared totally bemused but move it they finally did. Perhaps Simon will advise if there should be a Harbourmaster at K Scala.
We had a great time as usual and are already pitching dates for next year. If you are going soon Kalo Taxidi, Kali Orexi and Yammas.
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Post by stevec on Jul 7, 2016 15:29:35 GMT
As J90 indicates, Kania now complete. Thursday's the day to avoid though the Fedon's not always got a full load. Halki doing the bigger numbers in the week just past - even the Express chipped in a group. O/A numbers are slightly down on the same period last year. On the other hand, the boating fraternity are coming over in greater numbers - last 4 days has been manic. Port Police panicked a tad on Tuesady night and cleared the bay completely for the Prevalis - bit of wind but not that unusual or extreme. Never seen 3 gullets in F10 bay and 6 others of various sizes parked in the northeast corner - all other spaces fully taken!
Concure on the eateries front. Remezo's doing OK but Maria's also not getting the rub of the green either. New cafe opened next to Kostas yesterday. Pie shop slot still vacant and a new grill house opened next to Demitri's - looking to pick up the trade previously going to Valantis I suspect.
The church yard been given a make over - new structure for open air services built on raised area on harbour side and the walls have been refaced in stone and repointed in black mortar. Looks very smart. Work disturb the sparrows who now congregate in tree in Maria's.
Managed TWO "Ice cold in Alex" moments - did a partial hike up two the plateau after a Nissia picnic at the middle monastery and ended at Pondamos at 7pm in need of a double hit, followed by a sun rise at the castle a few days later with the "boss" and another €7 hit at 8am.
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Post by davidfromhastings on Jul 7, 2016 19:20:21 GMT
Many thanks both of you for the updates - I have been checking day after day for some fresh news. 90 at Kania? Good grief, I remember when I used to do that walk and be the only person there (and very lovely it was too). All being well, myself and my Nikon will be arriving next Wednesday - trying not to go into excitement overload as I still have a few more shifts at work to get through Have the Aliminia trips materialised yet? Or was that just a tease. Looked forward to going there on the Laskerina picnic on my first visit in 2005 but it either didn't happen or (for some strange reason) I didn't go on it. Is 2016 the year? Wishing everyone now there and yet to come a great time.
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Post by jamesthebutler on Jul 7, 2016 19:59:08 GMT
Many thanks both of you for the updates - I have been checking day after day for some fresh news. 90 at Kania? Good grief, I remember when I used to do that walk and be the only person there (and very lovely it was too). All being well, myself and my Nikon will be arriving next Wednesday - trying not to go into excitement overload as I still have a few more shifts at work to get through Have the Aliminia trips materialised yet? Or was that just a tease. Looked forward to going there on the Laskerina picnic on my first visit in 2005 but it either didn't happen or (for some strange reason) I didn't go on it. Is 2016 the year? Wishing everyone now there and yet to come a great time. David, Nikos Express run the Aliminia trip on Fridays this year - 1030, book up at least day before, they also do a round the island trip on Mondays. Enjoy.
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Post by stevec on Jul 8, 2016 4:45:51 GMT
Alimnia trips don't seem to be getting the numbers needed but the "Round the island" is. Worth doing but a ginger tablet is a must as the sea on the western end is very choppy. Will be adding an album to my Flickr collection in due course just for this trip.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2016 6:50:19 GMT
Quote:- "We are not Pizza people so will leave that to officianados to comment on Remezzo."
If you are not going to Remezzo because you think it is a pizza joint, you are missing out on some of the best food on Halki. It has an excellent menu apart from pizzas, always perfectly cooked and served. There are superb dishes there not available anywhere else.
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Post by carol on Jul 8, 2016 12:39:20 GMT
Yes J90, I totally agree with sth, Remezzo definitely isn't just about pizza they have a very extensive menu and I thoroughly recommend you try it next time
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Post by stevec on Jul 8, 2016 12:53:05 GMT
Forgot to mention Minori has a new member of staff. Not Mike or Maria's choice but they now have a 5 week old kitten, "rescued" by a couple of clients (just days from them going home) on the road 'between the castle & Pondamos'. (C)leo(patra) is a real show stealer though whether it's a she or a he isn't clear, hence the added brackets round the name.
As to the weather, it's more like august than early July -"scorchio" to quote a certain weather girl!
Large bottles of Retsina in short supply, so have had to go for the 5l box instead. Harder to get cool, so may have to decant some into our last bottle (saved for this eventuality).
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Post by muriman on Jul 8, 2016 17:32:26 GMT
Reading these posts here in the cloudy UK, with my tan from June visit to Halki fading fast, helps to put life into its proper perspective. I'd much prefer to have the problem of decanting retsina in order to keep it cool, instead of having to dodge between the showers to mow the tops off the weeds in what is supposed to be a lawn. Incidentally, Steve, can't you put the 5 litre box on its side in the fridge?
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Post by stevec on Jul 9, 2016 5:54:49 GMT
Box fits OK in our fridge. Turned it up to 5 so it should be pretty cold when we next get to test it in about 4 hours time.
A another new offer this year - "fishing & a lot more" - local offering trips for €150/day. Boat is slightly smaller than Kinygos II and not so well equipped/set up.
Prospect of a verdant lawn awaits our return, though growth this last week should be more muted as there has been not interruptions to Wimbledon......
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Post by carol on Jul 9, 2016 7:22:24 GMT
Hi Steve, we have always bought our large bottles of Retsina from Petros's shop, is he only stocking wine boxes now ?
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Post by stevec on Jul 9, 2016 11:30:57 GMT
First bottle came from Petros Carol, next 3 from Lefteris. But apart from Petros being a € dearer per bottle, stocks are generally lower (or are others catching up with us consumption wise?). Switching the fridge to 5 seems to have worked for the wine box - glasses just consumed were at a lovely temperature!
Siesta time now - both neighbours out, so very peaceful.
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j90
Full Member
Posts: 82
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Post by j90 on Jul 9, 2016 12:57:42 GMT
Thanks Sth and Carol for advice re Remezzo-we shall certainly give it a go upon our next visit to Halki. Meanwhile I hope my update was of some use to those yet to visit this season and we look forward to Stevec's photo's.
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Post by Liz on Jul 9, 2016 19:54:44 GMT
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Post by Liz on Jul 9, 2016 19:58:43 GMT
j90 .. your posts are always useful .. Remezzo pizzas are amazing and may well sway you .. but their menu has a lot more than pizza and all is delicious .. really good food and great people .. give it a go next time
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