Latest Bus situation to beaches

[j90]

Prior to Covid we had visited Halki every year, but one, since 1996. Halki Facebook chatter appears to indicate that the Dimitri bus to each beach no longer runs but Mikailis runs a boat from the harbourside to Khania.

Unless the pontoon at Khania has been improved the exit from the boat and the boarding for return, reputedly, is not for ageing bodies.

Over the 26 years of coming to Halki we have tried all of the beaches and Khania is our choice.

The grim understanding is that in the short time that we have not visited, Halki has necessarily moved on but is no longer suitable for ageing legs.

Similarly we understand that Pondamos and Khania now have daytrippers every day. Before being berated by well meaning advisors we do understand that, post covid, the smaller Greek Islands have had to 'up their game' to make a living.

Pragmatically we need to be able to understand that the New Halki might no longer be suitable for those in their 80's. If that is so we will so miss the waterfront tavernas and the Greek friends we made over the years.

So pleased to see that Christos has returned from Rhodes.

[Liz]

The boat is running but you don’t get off on the pontoon you get off further up the harbour via the front of the boat step .. it’s not too difficult and Giannis will always help you on and off

[j90]

Apologies for belated reply Liz. We have moved house and are still catching up with routine admin.

We have been coming to Halki for nearly 25 years so Emborio harbour front is fairly common knowledge unless it has changed drastically during the last two years when we were unable to visit due to Covid concerns.

We are in our early 80's and the only option for Chania, other than the taxi, is the boat. Our concern is getting off and on to the boat at Chania, not the harbour front. We have also noted the expansion of Chania on Facebook pictures so it might also have become too busy. However, it would be our only option.

If the old pontoon at Chania is used we have watched many people scrambling across the rocks to get to the beach. Is this still the issue?

If so, Pondamos is now far too busy and Ftenagia, in spite of Nick's excellent hospitality, is not suitable for my wife to splash around in the sea. Too rocky!!

Our concern is that, after so many wonderful years, Halki might no longer be for us. Promotion in the National Press has put Halki 'on the map' and brought much needed business to the locals. However, it may now be too crowded for us and before we are to consider returning sound advice is needed please.

[carol]

Hi J90, I am in Halki now and when we go to Kania I will take a photo for you of the place where the boat docks, it is difficult to describe but I found it to be much better than the pontoon 😎

[j90]

Grateful Carol. Hope weather is good for you

[carol]

We have had a few very windy days where there weren’t any boats sailing but it has now changed and is extremely hot and apparently going to get hotter, but anything is better than cold and rain in my opinion 😁🇬🇷

[Liz]

I don't think I explained myself very well .. when I said Harbourside I meant at Kania .. the boat now stops further up towards the boat yard .. he docks front end in and he has a wooden step at the front of the boat so it is literally one ( or maybe two ) steps up and onto the Harbourside and Giannis and his other crewman ( don't know his name ) are always there with a helpful hand to steady you as you get off and back on again .. it really is quite easy and as Carol says much easier than getting off and on to the pontoon.

We didn't notice it to be any busier in June .. in fact we thought it was quieter than previous years,

[j90]

Thanks for that Liz.

Whilst not a devotee of Facebook I do check out the Halki themes from time to time. A recent picture of Pondamos beach extensions I just had to compare with our first encounter in 1996. I don't suppose there was any more than 20 beach beds then.

I have kept a newspaper clipping, from the Telegraph in 1995, showing the harbour front with the local priest in the foreground. I believe the old Zifos office had the same picture on the wall.

It was this article that led us to Halki. Initially, we visited Symi but transfers from and to Rhodes were often 'hit and miss' with Olympic. The old Hydrofoils were not ideal for those with poor 'sea legs'.

Over the years we have eaten many times at all of the Restaurants, including lunches and evening meals at Nick's Pondamos. We have never promoted any above the others. We have enjoyed them all.

With recent travel coverage it is no surprise that this idyllic island is now so popular.

In the past we have visited Lesbos, Kalymnos, Telendos ( so quiet and peaceful), Naxos and Symi and Tilos. However, they were not Halki and for this reason it drew us back for some 26 years. Perhaps the newer tourists are feeling the magic that we did!!

Over the years I must have left over a hundred reading books in the Zifos office after I had finished them .

[Liz]

To be fair to Pondmos the pictures that people take from the road are misleading .. there are more beds on the upper 'deck ' as such which go further back , there is one row of beds on the beach along the wall .. the beds are no closer than any of the other beaches and they all have new brollies and tables .. Yes they are catering for the the majority of day trippers but they do have alot of regular visitors as well .. Like you we try to visit all the tavernas but its amazing how fast the time flies .. Costas now holds the library of books along with the Nissia office ... I have picked up some great reads from random choices over the years

[alfred]

Does that mean Nissia have moved office?

[alfred]

No, sorry!!! Costas and Nissia both hold books, not Costas hold books and Nissia. My brain is not at its brightest.

[Liz]