Updates from May

[lisa]

Hi All - sorry for the delay. We were in Heaven aka Halki between 13th and 27th May and can update you on the following - apologies if I am repeating anything.

In no particular order...

There may soon be a hairdressers next door to Apostolis in what used to be Phaedra apts.

Omonia is now called Lefokosia's Piato (Kikis mum) - family run and excellent, you have to try the home grown pork and if you are lucky enough you may get to listen to Kiki playing her small mandolin.

The 'big' supermarket has reduced in size and there is supposed to be a jewellery shop opening in the other half.

There is a new girl working in Dimitris Bakery, the daughter of Maria, the chinese cleaning lady, very pleasant.

Valantis and Eleni have a beautiful baby boy called Yiannis.

The office has changed around - the 'library' now takes up one entire side.

Diafora's shop is closed and on the market (say no more)

Katerina at Maria's taverna is engaged and getting married early next year.

Remezzo no longer does pizza's but specialises in fish and vegetarian dishes.

The creperie just before the Nissia office is very nice - John would recommend the chocolate ones!

The ATM machine is now downstairs in the Post Office and there is rumour that a branch of the Dodecanese bank may move in there also.

The old ATM hut has moved near to Black Sea and is going to be used as a fishermans office.

There are now 8 properties down at Ftenagia and 2 more houses to be built. The ducks and chickens have moved - you pass them just before you reach the taverna now.

New ferry company - ANEK Lines - no more watching the ferry come in the evening!

There was a new water boat, much larger than the Daphne.

The children are entering a singing competition and can be heard pracising most evenings, they sound lovely.

The Nissos Halki has been working in Tilos as there local ferry is broken.

I can't thnk of anything else of relevance but please ask and I'll rack the brain cells.

All of the usual faces are there and thankfully not too many changes.

[kathy]

Lisa, It was lovely to read so much information all at once ;D Thank you for such a great update! ;D ;D

[carol]

Thanks Lisa for that update, very useful ;D ;D

[Liz]

Thanks Lisa ..a lovely update

[Julie]

Great update, but could you please advise on prices - have they gone up from last year at all?

Many thanksfor info

[janeandtony]

Thanks for the wonderful update Lisa. We only have two weeks to go now until the long awaited day so any news of Halki is greatly appreciated. ;D ;D ;D

[lisa]

You are more than welcome.

As for prices, we reckon that just about everything has gone up about 5% since we were there in October 08. This coupled with the poor exchange rate makes for a more expensive holiday. However !!

[kathy]

A question !
as I have only ever been to Pondamos, I need to ask a question about Ftenagia! I know from the board it's not sandy, so are waterproof/ plastic beach shoes needed for the waterfront - and the water?
In anticipation ....Thank You

[carol]

Yes Kathy they are, the beach is small pebbles and the water shelves very deeply and there are large rocks to negotiate before you reach very deep water. We always wear jelly shoes or similar ;D

[kathy]

Ooh Carol, you're up late! ;
Thank you for the advice ... I still have my very old but still serviceable ones, I now need to get them sorted for everyone else
I do like the way, despite other bodily changes over the years, at least your shoe size stays the same!! ;D ;D

[carol]

Kathy you should be able to get them there if needs be, we have bought them from Ria before, up the hill at the side of the bakery.
Not normally up quite this late but have been waiting for Graeme to get home from Madrid ;D Goodnight ;D

[Liz]

Kathy ..have a look here ..www.ftenagia.gr/en/ftenagia

will give you an idea of what its like

[lisa]

I should'nt have looked at the link, just want to be there!

[shel]

Oh my, why did I look at the link, feel really miserable now, just want to be there too!

[lisa]

I know Shel, it seems like a good idea having these pictures as screen savers etc but sometimes it can be so depressing!