noviz
New Member
Posts: 7 
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Post by noviz on Feb 8, 2017 20:29:34 GMT
Hi all,
We're considering booking Halki in July. I used to go as a child in the late 90's with my parents and am now desperate to take my wife to show her the beauty of the island. Lot's of great childhood memories for the four times we went.
I was just curious what the refugee situation over there is like at the moment or in 2016? I understand that the main brunt of boats are/were going to the more northern islands due to the crossing being shorter. I've seen a few posts about boats showing up in 2015 but news seems to have dried up somewhat. I'm not sure if that is because there has been very little activity in that region or if the news websites have been more interested in other stories...
I appreciate it's an awful question to ask and fully appreciate it's somewhat selfish of me to ask. I'm not trying to start a debate and I hope it doesn't reflect me as a bad person! We're more than likely going but I just want to know what to expect...
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Post by carol on Feb 9, 2017 0:27:26 GMT
Hi, as far as I am aware there were no refugees in Halki last year, we were there for 3 weeks in August/September, the previous year there were some but they were well looked after and the port police did a good job processing their papers and getting them away on the ferries to continue their journeys, it was all very well organised with locals giving them food and tourists doing their bit by bringing medical supplies from home and other things to help out. Book your holiday to Halki and have a wonderful time.
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noviz
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by noviz on Feb 9, 2017 12:22:23 GMT
Hi, as far as I am aware there were no refugees in Halki last year, we were there for 3 weeks in August/September, the previous year there were some but they were well looked after and the port police did a good job processing their papers and getting them away on the ferries to continue their journeys, it was all very well organised with locals giving them food and tourists doing their bit by bringing medical supplies from home and other things to help out. Book your holiday to Halki and have a wonderful time. Hi Carol, Thank you for the response. I felt awful for asking really! We actually have quite a lot of random camping supplies we used on a long trip last year (blankets, hand warmers etc); perhaps we could bring them a long with us to donate... reading through old threads I believe others have done this. Going to ring around the usually places to figure out the best prices and plane times. Olympic is who I've traditionally travelled with (the last 'real' sun holiday was 8 years ago! Been mostly visting northern Europe lately) but I hear Nissia is very good. I'm really interested to see how the island has changed since I went as a child in the late 90's! I'm trying to sift through real and false memories! For some reason I always thought the beaches were farther away but maybe it's just because I had little legs back then! I know my parents will have some old photo albums around - there may be a few to upload here if anyone is interested. EXCITED!!!!! Will |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 12:50:25 GMT
Hi, might be best to check with Livanios ( he watches this forum) and establish if such donations are still actually required. As far as Halki is concerned, I believe the issue no longer is exists though who knows what may happen in the future. In any case, as Carol stated, book your vacation and enjoy.
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Post by Liz on Feb 9, 2017 19:07:42 GMT
Hi .. Olympic do have packages .. but be careful on the flight times .. you need an early flight to ensure a same day crossing. We have got good flights with Monarch at a reasonable price for this May .. depends where you are flying from .. we've booked with Nissia this year although there are plenty of independent rentals out there now  |
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noviz
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by noviz on Feb 9, 2017 20:25:03 GMT
Hi .. Olympic do have packages .. but be careful on the flight times .. you need an early flight to ensure a same day crossing. We have got good flights with Monarch at a reasonable price for this May .. depends where you are flying from .. we've booked with Nissia this year although there are plenty of independent rentals out there now Hi sth/Liz. Thanks to you both for the advice. The Olympic ones I've looked at are from Manchester. They do a Saturday and Wednesday flight both at 07:35 (ish) in the morning. Both are on random carriers; Enter Air or ASL France. From my research it looks like most travel on a Wednesday - I'm assuming there are Saturday ferries??? There is actually a late night flight that gets in at around 01:30. I'm curious as to what they would do in that situation... I'm assuming they'd just put you up for a few hours although I think I've seen there is a very early morning boat around 05:00? I'm also curious if that actually gives you more time on the island in total depending on if they count the overnight flight as your first night on holiday! Nissia looks very good and it obviously opens you up to many more flights and the price appears to balance out with Olympic albeit Nissia appear to have much nicer properties. Do they have contingency plans if your flight is delayed? It may sound odd but I think my wife would be happier with a package holiday through Olympic considering there is next to nothing to worry about with those. For all the bad things about them you do know what you're getting in terms of service. As said Nissia look great so if I book with them I may just lie to my wife! I've not been to Halki since I was about 12 so apart from memories of the island I've forgotten everything about the travel (apart from one ferry I was realllllllllly seasick on!) so even I'd be a little nervous about travelling on our own. |
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Post by Liz on Feb 9, 2017 21:01:14 GMT
The 7.35 flight would be fine for the same day crossing ... if your getting a evening flight then you would be put up on Rhodes and cross later in the day .. I think the 5 am sailing is actually from Halki to Kamiros ( we have been on that once .. was a killer ! ) .. we've been independently for a few times now and not had a problem .. and I'm sure whoever you traveled with would help you out with alternative accommodation although if your not on a package they have no obligation to pay for it ( thats my take on it ) There are ferries every day .. nearer the time the timetables will be published I know plenty of people who do it both ways  .. with Olympic or independently .. I don't think you need worry whichever you choose .. Nissia can arrange your transfer and crossing so its sort of package but with a bit more freedom on your flights .. Fedon ( they have a ferry and transfer service .. they post on facebook ) could also be worth a look at |
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Post by carol on Feb 10, 2017 9:19:49 GMT
Regarding the old photos, please post some, anything like that is always of great interest to a lot of us on here. There is no pharmacy on Halki now so whilst the refugee situation has abated at present I think there may still be a need for basic medication for the islanders for example paracetamol and antihistamines etc, as Sth said, Livanios is the one to speak to and hopefully he will read this, if not we can get in touch with him.
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Post by friendsofhalki on Feb 10, 2017 9:25:43 GMT
Re the query in this message sequence re what support might be expected in the event of travel disruption, etc. I can only comment on an experience with Nissia so others would need to provide information on Olympic, etc.
Two years ago there was an air traffic controllers strike on the Wednesday we returning which meant that all flights arriving/departing after 1 pm were blocked until mid-evening. One can imagine the chaos at the airport.
Nissia rearranged our normal transport from Kamiros Skala to the airport to go instead to Rhodes town for all concerned and also arranged individual rooms at a hotel for us to relax in for the duration, before taking us to the airport early evening. Although we did not arrive back in Manchester until the small hours of the Thursday I don't think we could have been better looked after. One bonus was the opportunity to spend some time looking around the centre of Rhodes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 9:46:29 GMT
I have been in touch with Livanios and he is aware of these postings. I have no doubt he will post as he feels necessary.
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Post by carol on Feb 10, 2017 10:44:13 GMT
Thanks sth.
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Post by pda on Feb 12, 2017 10:11:41 GMT
Spoke to Vanio yesterday & he said the basic kids cold/flu meds were most needed as they involve a trip to Rodos to acquire. The new docs are trying to restrict antibiotics being handed out for everything and just giving what should be given for coughs & colds... So...just what you would nip to the chemist to give out yourself for minor ailments.. Nipping to the chemist on Halki involves a 6am boat ride, bus/car to chemist then return trip at 2pm on caique.. Cheers....  |
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Post by carol on Feb 12, 2017 10:37:59 GMT
Thank you PDA, that is easy to get, I shall start adding a few extra items to my weekly shop.
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noviz
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by noviz on Feb 12, 2017 17:41:14 GMT
Thank you for all of the replies everyone.
We're going to book Monday night! There was a minor sticking point as my wife's sister will be graduating on the same week!
We'll make sure to take extra medical supplies to donate. My wife's a nurse in training so she'll definitely want to!
I'll get my parents to find the old photos!
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Post by Liz on Feb 12, 2017 21:46:12 GMT
Old photos would be great ..  book it ! you won't be sorry ! .. my two lads had all their holidays there and now want to return .. |
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.. with Olympic or independently .. I don't think you need worry whichever you choose .. Nissia can arrange your transfer and crossing so its sort of package but with a bit more freedom on your flights .. Fedon ( they have a ferry and transfer service .. they post on facebook ) could also be worth a look at 
book it ! you won't be sorry ! .. my two lads had all their holidays there and now want to return ..