Counting the days ( hours )

[howard]

We only use a VISA Debit card (not VISA credit card), would that be accepted in the ATM?

I have used a Nationwide Visa Debit card for some years without any problem, as long as the ATM has cash in it. But take some Sterling as a back up.

[Liz]

How you doing Jan ?? are you boggle eyed yet reading all these posts ? ;D

[jan]

Thanks Howard, that's just what I wanted to hear!

Liz, my eyes are all boggley indeed! I've read through load of threads now and found the answers to the questions I was too afraid to ask - I didn't want to appear too daft to you all by asking them all at once! I'm still hoping someone will be able to provide information about the accommodation though (question now on the accommodation board) but I have warned hubby that it'll probably leave a lot to be desired in terms of comfort etc. Ah well, we'll know to book early for next year.

[Liz]

Hey ...daft is my middle name ;D...don't be afraid to ask a question

Sorry I can't help out re the Kiki...but as long as it has a bed & a fridge then I'm sure it will be fine

[fergie]

Hi Jan. We stayed at the Kiki the first time we went in 2006. Like you we had no idea what to expect and went with an open mind as we always do on holiday. The studios are basic but you have everything you need. fridge, kettle and a couple of rings for cooking (but you won't want to be messing around too much with that if you are on holiday!). The grill does a great breakfast and the bakery is opposite - both just 5 mins away from the studios along with the tavernas, minimarket etc. I know that 2 of the studios are larger and have a sleeping platform above the "living area" so it can be very hot at night. If there is no fan i would suggest that you go down to the travel office and you may be able to hire one. The 3rd kiki studio is a funny little place and was the one we ended up with. I know someone previously had been there and didn't like it but we had no problems and it was quite quirky!We grew very fond of it. My only comment would be on the ladder to the bedroom which was quite steep and would be a problem for anyone with a disability(or a few retsinas too many!). The bedroom there was fine with a proper bed and loo/shower next to it but the downstairs was tiny. The terrace is shared but other than very early in the morning or later in the evening I found it too hot to sit there for long anyway.
Halki is so beautiful - you really won't want or need to spend much time in your accomodation whatever you have booked so don't worry- it will be fine! Last year we stayed at the Roulla another Olympic accomodation. We fondly nick-named it " the cupboard under the stairs"! I would stay in either place again. On your first visit you will be able to check out other properties and decide where you want to next time (I'm sure you will get hooked like the rest of us!).
We are going back in September, this time going with Direct because the flight times suited us better. You won't need too many books as you can exchange them at the travel office. Don't forget adaptor plugs. Sun cream is really expensive- take plenty. You will definitely get shower towels - room cleaned on a wed/sat. We have always used the ATM without problems (nationwide debit card). From day one don't leave any food out - there are always ants wherever you stay.
I look forward to hearing how you get on.

[Liz]

Thanks Fergie

[jan]

Fergie, that's a fantastic review, thanks very much indeed for taking the trouble to reply to me. I truly appreciate your comments and will definitely be back on the boards to report how we got on being newbie Halki bods. I'll read your reply again tomorrow and make a few notes of things I'll need to remember.

What a fabulous bunch of helpful people you all are on this forum, thanks!! ;D

[carol]

Thats great Fergie, I think that is exactly what Jan wanted to know ;D

[fergie]

No problem. I hope it was helpful for Jan .Before we went I read a lot of negative stuff about kiki on the old Halki visitor site. We had already booked and I was really anxious but we had a fantastic holiday and many more to come hopefully. A lot of the negative stuff I felt was unjustified. At that time olympic holidays on Halki were really cheap and you get what you pay for. It was basic but fine for a good late deal.

[kathy]

Fergie, that was I great review,really informative.
When I first stayed on Halki, my accommodation was very basic, but it didn't matter, it was clean and somewhere to sleep, just a base really. It's such a beautiful place, that really is all you need!
;D ;D ;D
Jan, I am sure you will both love it ...... you will be hooked! ;D

[fergie]

I am pleased to be able to help. It has been ages since I have been able to spend much time browsing the site and I have had a lovely time tonight catching up on the latest Halki news and gossip.

[jan]

Fergie, I just want to thank you again for your reply; that was exactly what I was looking for and hopefully it will help someone else in future. ;D

The sad bucket that I am, I printed your message off last night and showed it to my hubby who was in bed! He, like I, thought it was fabulous and it has definitely put my mind at ease now. In 23 years of marriage we've only ever been abroad 4 times so maybe that'll explain why I had so many questions and was feeling so anxious; especially after reading one of the reviews I found!

If I have any other questions I'll be sure to ask!

[Liz]

I've edited Fergies review into the other thread as well ..it will be easier to find for any future queries

[Enforcer]

Jan, may I just add a word regarding your idea of a day trip to Rhodes?

Many, many years ago OH and I spent two weeks based at Ixia and travelled round the island. We discovered Halki in 1994 and have been back every year for the 1st two weeks in September.

We stated that we would have a day out in Rhodes just to re-visit the place - never done it yet! Never missed not going back! ;D

Halki is so quiet and idyllic that the thought of seeing hordes of people fills us with such dread that we decided that tripping over Carol, Miss Daisy, Liz et al was much more preferable.

[johnr]

Last time in Halki, we did a day trip to Rhodes. We got up at some ridiculous hour and caught the bus and ferry. We had a little look round the old town, and it was quite good for the kids, who had never seen a big town in Greece, only Halki and the road to KS.
We were waylaid by timeshare sellers; they pretended to be some sort of tourist service, and got us to enter a sort of prize draw. Guess what? Our little girl won one of a selection of "valuable prizes", if only we would go to a nearby location and listen to a special presentation for tourists. The smell of rat was getting stronger to me, but our little girl was delighted about her prize! Luckily, the salesman came clean and admitted that we would spend all of our remaining time in Rhodes listening to a timeshare spiel, only to be given a transistor radio worth a fiver. We made it up to her when we got back to England - cost us more than a fiver, but less than a timeshare.

So we went and looked down Socrates Street, a strange sort of street with lots of shops but all ether selling souvenirs, or bling, or clothes. All the shops of each type sells the same range of goods, so they could manage with just three big shops in stead of dozens of small ones.
Fortunately, in Socrates Street there is also the Socrates Bar, an open-air establishment were we ate ham with melon, drank ice cold drinks, listened to schmaltzy music and watched some kittens. We had meant to see all sorts of sights in Rhodes, but the bustle, the early morning and the heat put paid to that.

Won't be doing it this year....