The Great Snorkel debate

[fatcat]

Now that the days are getting longer, thoughts of returning to Halki keep bubbling up.
Normally we take our snorkling gear for abit of underwater adventure, but in the last few visits we found that we should have left them at home.
Around the Harbour there is really little to see, few fish, not much vegetation and fewer old sea chests and rusty anchors.
Venture further afield and the result is much the same.
A few years back we went on a round the island trip and thought some of the more remote beaches may be better to explore undrwater and that would mean getting the taxi driver to ferry us around in his new boat (which may not be bad thing).
A trip to Alymnia (around by the church) also proved disappointing, not many fish and quite barren, again a trip over to the deserted german barracks may be better to explore.

Either way, this year the stuff stays at home in the loft - meaning less weight and fewer bags for me to lug around.

We stick to concentrating on rubber ring floating techniques and focsuing on beating the Halki Ladies Syncrinised formation floating Team (always a tough nut to crack).

[Liz]

Ahh yes to snorkel or not to snorkel ..on recent visits we too have left our snorkels at home BUT what we have took is a couple of Lilo's ;D

You cannot beat good Lilo race or that good old 'its knock out' favourite of ..how many people you can get on a lilo ..all must attempt to board the said lilo from deep water ;D ;D

There was once a competition at Pondamos of how many people could board a dinghy and a floating whale (Willy)..I think the record was 9 !..unfortunatley Willy sustained an injury as did two of the occupiers of the dinghy......Willy decided to end his days on Halki and one day a sharp gust of wind took him around the headland -attempts to rescue him where futile ........some say on a clear night Willy can be seen bobbing at the edge of the harbour ;D

The other two returned home to rest and recuperate ....after a few retsinas they are only too happy to show you their Halki scars ( one in particular adds to them every year ;D )

[Enforcer]

Ah fatcat you forget the secondary effect of harbour snorkelling. When it gets a smidgen warm after lunch a dip complete with mask and fins allows for a gentle soporific siesta.

Have tried snoozing floating on my back but you tend to get rudely woken by the odd wave splashing over the face; at least wearing snorkelling kit that irritation is removed.

[Liz]

Please note ...we at Halki visiting do not endorse sleeping in water ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[carol]

I may have to take up snorkelling as sleeping in the sea after a retsina induced lunch sounds perfect ;D ;D ;D ;D Graeme will no doubt be taking the gear but he also says there is not that much to see however it always causes me enormous amusement to watch him and others going backwards in the water at Ftenagia whilst managing the flippers

As for the synchronised swimming team Fatcat, you had better start practising now, we will be a force to be reckoned with this year we are looking for new recruits, maybe Mrs Fatcat would care to join us, she would be more than welcome ;D

[Enforcer]

Good grief Liz, you have actually seen a willy floating right out at the edge of the harbour?

Ye gods, you cannot realize just how inadequate that makes the rest of us feel. You have probably put back skinny-dipping by many years!

[Liz]

LOL Enforcer ....I have very good eyesight ;D ;D ;D

[Liz]

Carol ..I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think the synchronized floating team Fatcat refers to are the group of Greek ladies who gather each morning around the Hiona(DG ) side of the harbour .....they truly rock ;D

[stuartg]

No way guys! last June/July was good snorkeling - Moray Eels, a fair few octopus, baby baracudas, pipe fish and a couple of very large, very slow moving grey fish, as well as sea cucumber - nope not with you, my mask and snorkel are coming down from the loft again! Mind you, last year my son Ruaraidh and I were asked by Angelo and Jamie (Jamie's a chef), if we would collect some brown Sea Urchins so that they could cook them and serve them up with scrambled eggs. Reality is Sea urchins are utterly disgusting. won't be doing that again.

[carol]

Reading it again Liz I think you are right and we are certainly no competition to them, however practice makes perfect ;D but I must say judging by last years performance we need lots more practice

[fergie]

I have to disagree Carol - some of us in the synchronised swimming team were very polished in our routines. Just one or two letting the side down!(you know who you are!!) Maybe displays of elegance and co-ordination are not so good after a 3 hour lunch at Nicks and several retsinas! We need to take a closer look at our Greek competion and learn from them perhaps.

[Enforcer]

Having been run over a few times by the Greek Ladies Synchronized Swimming Team I believe the answer for the Halki Tourists Floundering Team to improve (other than a reduction in the Retsina intake) must lie in the equipment.

Flowery floppy hats and Buddy Holly-sized sun glasses are the secret weapon!

[carol]

Hi Enforcer, you must have read our minds, the hat situation is being worked on but we were thinking more along the lines of flowery swimming caps, close your eyes for a second and I am sure you will be able to visualise the sort of thing we have in mind ;D ;D I am also considering investing in an inflatable ring to stop me from drowning after lunch as it is no surprise to those of you that know me that it is me that Fergie is referring to ;D

[Enforcer]

Carol, please reassure me that it is only the ladies from the HTFT (see above) that will be wearing flowery bathing caps? ;D

The thought of the sight of the gentlemen of the HTFT in flowery bathing caps is too horrible to contemplate.

There again, it could become an attraction on par with the monastery, castle and lace; have you approached Nick for sponsorship?

[Liz]

I think one or two of the chaps would look very fetching in flowery bathing caps ;D ;D