halki 2010!

[kathy]

Oh Carol, I am getting giddy with excitement! ;D
From the photos I have seen, Petros, the fisherman hasn't changed at all,and he was always lovely to me - and everyone else at the time, and from the comments here, he is still loved by everyone. ;D ;D Petros from the (only!) shop used to help me do the Welcome Packs for the Laskarina villas and apartments - His English and my Greek were as bad as each other! He was always wonderful too! ;D
What happened to Andonis from, I think, Omonios ( wrong spelling I am sure) Is this where you call the tartan tablecloths? I would also like to know what became of Faranee ( almost certainly, wrong spelling!) who worked for him then. I also worked there for a while after I left laskarina .He was a very kind man.
There were only the two harbour restaurants when I first went, there, Omonios and Houvadas - and Nick at Pondamos which only opened daytimes.Great memories, but any more info on the others I have mentioned would be good to hear! ; ;D ;D

[fatcat]

My what an active thread

We too love Halki, it is what brings us back time and time again, we however have always stayed in the Harbour either at the old Hiona and now next door in the new villa's.
So staying on the waters edge we have never been troubled by the day trippers and the numbers at both beaches as we have our own uncluttered and clean access into the sea.
However I can understand folks frustration at crowded and dirty beaches and the ever increasing costs - especially for familes.

Next year however we are considering other places other than Halki, not as we are getting fed up or bored with the place, more really that there are so many other places to visit and unfortunately getting more value per ££ and that means outside the Eurozone.

We loved Halki from the first moment we set eyes on the place and cannot imagine a more relaxing place to spend our summer break, we will always go back and always to the same location.

I don't know what the answer is about the day trippers and the state of the beaches - at the end of the day it's the Islanders who have the muscle, we the tourist can only hope and cross our fingers and toes.

[Deleted]

Kathy, Andonis of Omonia died a few years back. His son ran it for a few years. It is now operated by Lefkosia. What is referred to as Tartan tablecloths is in fact Avra and is next door between Omonia and Steki's. Farani is still about, does a bit of cleaning here and there.
Houvards has had several guises over the years but is now Theodosia's coffee shop/bar & cake shop. Probably one of the main meeting places nowadays. You will still see Houvardas about the harbour-often in Theodosias which of course he owns. Should be an interesting visit for you in particular!

[Liz]

I know I've said it before but I would just love to be on that boat with Kathy ...to see her face when Halki comes into view ..

[carol]

I think a few of us are wishing we could be with Kathy when she arrives Liz, what a wonderful story ;D

How many days until you go Kathy ?

[Kinygos]

I can still remember the surprise when I took Kinygos round the headland by the hotel and found Ftenagia!

I had been in 1999 and don't remember it being there.

2001 there it was!
When was the taverna built?
Unfortunately, with the passage of time a lot of old familiar faces are gone, but that is the way of things.
"I am all-powerful Time which destroys all things" The Bhagavad Gita 11:32
Kathy, it is a new Halki, ignore our moans and enjoy it as it is now.

[Deleted]

Kinygos, I can't recall exactly but it must be about ten years ago. The road followed a couple of years later (Cement, that is). I don't think the pontoon was in place for the first year either.
Much further back, a great favourite for a day swimming, picnicing, sunning etc was Yiali. Quite a hike to get there and there were only a couple of odd pick ups about, but worth it. No shade of course. However, that beautiful spot has systematically over recent years, been destroyed by the local tennant farmer in ways that defy description. A huge shame. It is now an unsightly mess. You probably know to whom I refer.

[Deleted]

I must try and dig up a picture of Ftengia as it was when a ruin.

[pda]

Ftenagia was the kids favourite place pre-taverna as you got your own private cove to sunbathe & swim from. There was a ruined building where Nicks taverna is rebuilt, I think approx 10 years ago.
As they got older they moved over to Pondamos with ready ice creams & drinks.
Now they are over 21 they have moved on to Kania & further afield.
They still want to go to Halki & refuse to miss their trips there.
They do now let us go on our own too though. ;D

On the trippers, I didn't have a problem late june. When you saw the invasion coming over the hill you just relocate for a leisurely lunch, a rest & then when the boat horn sounds head back to the beach for a late swim & pre evening drink.
Heaven......

[kathy]

I'm sorry to hear about Andonis, I can still picture him, cigarette forever in place! The Health Police would have a field day if it was here! It will be good to see Farani, though
We go on 12th August, so not long now!!

[Deleted]

You may need to enquire about Farani as she is not often in evidence around the harbour.

[kathy]

Thanks, Sth, will do!

[lisa]

Thankfully the day tripper issue has never been a great issue for us in May and September but we are usually at Ftenagia and as Bob and Joan rightly say, not may day trippers make it that far!

Crikey you lot are seriously organised, doubt we'll book for next year until Dec/Jan time.

[cathy]

I just got back tonight from a week on Halki. As some of you know I go on my own for the first 2 weeks in May and the first 2 weeks in October. This was the first time I have been in July and I went with two friends who had never been before. They absolutely loved it and although I had a great week it was too hot and busy compared to May and October. I hope I will still be going for many years in May and October but I don't think I'll go back in July.

[kathy]

Hi Cathy, welcome back! How was it with the day trippers this week?