Post by berty on Aug 14, 2019 20:14:37 GMT
Flew on Friday 2nd August from Newcastle. Have to say there is a distinct lack of seats available in the departure lounge and, of course, it’s deliberate. It is to force you into an eating or drinking outlet but these were full to the brim even at 5 am. Having bought two meal deals from W H Smith and feeling peckish I had no intention of standing eating a sandwich so some rucksacks that were taking up three seats were moved.
So, it’s come to this, we not only reserve sunbeds we are now reserving airport seats, unbelievable. Me and my good lady took the place of several rucksacks. She was worried about what would happen when the rucksacks owners returned, well we were sat there quite a long time and eventually two youngish couples returned and apart from some dirty looks there was no bother.
Our flight was delayed for forty minutes while a loose screw on a wing was tightened up. Fairy nuff. It was an uneventful flight and took less than 3 hours and 10 minutes !
Into the airport, nice toilets and good air con. Have to say at this point we’ve been to the island 14 times previously. We were directed to a mini bus and had to wait 20 minutes for two other couples. This is the first time we have visited the island using a package holiday so this was different for us.
We were soon at the church near the health centre on Plakes and the owner of the studio, Katerina, was there to meet us. We followed her a fairly short distance with our cases and then we were there at Swallow Studios. There are two studios first and second floor. We were in the top one. The staircase was a bit steep, not so much a problem going up but a bit of a one for me coming down as I have big feet and a dodgy knee 😀
Katerina led us into the studio and opened the curtains covering the large window and BOOM there it was, what a view from this window and the balcony ! Truly amazing ! No photo would do it justice. The view looked across the sea towards Kanapitsa with Megali Ammos to the right and Tsougria to the left. The Greek mainland in the background. About twenty yachts were moored in the bay. I could have sat there all day, but we had to unpack. This didn’t take long and we changed and walked down to the Taverna Thessaloniki to say hello to everyone.
We love this place and we shared the house salad and sardines with a few glasses of vino over some leisurely chats with old friends. We ordered a taxi and were dropped off at the rank on the harbour and wandered along to Syrainos for an arm wrestle with Miri then settled down in Mythos bar and watched the boats return. Blistering heat outside we were tucked up in the shade.
It was at this point that my good lady informed me she wanted to have a very lazy week and wanted to relax on the beach at the Taverna Thessaloniki every day. Suits me I said. We said Hello to everyone at Sea U then walked up last Taverna Sellini up to the studio. On the way we stumbled upon a mini market so stocked up on essentials ie wine and Oregano crisps. A bottle of Affello wine was 3 euros !
The view from the balcony was awesome even at night. We could watch the small fishing boats and the stars twinkling overhead.
Next morning we were on Megali Ammos beach for about 930am and our routine was settle down, sun cream on, good book, swim, repeat and we did this every day except one.
We had lunch everyday in the Thessy as we call it, red snapper,meatballs,kalimari, salads etc. then out into the sun and more swimming. When we’d had enough we’d walk back to the studio past the graveyard and Amfiliki. On occasion we shared a carafe before setting off in the heat of the sun.
We dined out on a night twice at the Bourtzi, the spicy prawns and pork belly are absolutely delicious and we visited this place every night we love it. We also dined in another favourite To Palouki which was excellent and we dined at Basilikos which we’d visited before. We had lobster soup, stuffed vine leaves, sea bream and battered cod. It was nice but nothing more. We had reserved the table but got the feeling they wanted us in and out, in fact we were in and out in about 50 minutes.We hung out around the old harbour each night and loved it. No name had to be done as well.
One morning we were walking past the water sports place on Megali Ammos and the good lady stopped to watch a speedboat/ large dinghy come in. She commented how she would love to go on it and five minutes later we were on it ! Racing around the bay and along the coast, it was fantastic and we were dropped at Achladies and we bagged two sunbeds there. The only day not spent in the Thessy, we shared a seafood platter for two in the Paradise Taverna and got the water taxi to the old harbour where once again we settled down at Mythos bar to watch the boats returning. A great day !
Before long it was time to go home. The airport procedure was very smooth, great air con. The flight left on time but the 40 minute fuel stop at Kavala turned into a 1 hour 50 minute drag. We had been on that plane longer than three hours before anyone was offered refreshments, not even water and there were plenty of children on board. Not acceptable.
One thing I noticed this year was that the sea is creeping up at Megali Ammos. A beach that is narrow in places is getting even narrower. We had a lovely, relaxing, dare I say, romantic week. It really is a special place.
Hope my whistle stop review didn’t bore anyone.
So, it’s come to this, we not only reserve sunbeds we are now reserving airport seats, unbelievable. Me and my good lady took the place of several rucksacks. She was worried about what would happen when the rucksacks owners returned, well we were sat there quite a long time and eventually two youngish couples returned and apart from some dirty looks there was no bother.
Our flight was delayed for forty minutes while a loose screw on a wing was tightened up. Fairy nuff. It was an uneventful flight and took less than 3 hours and 10 minutes !
Into the airport, nice toilets and good air con. Have to say at this point we’ve been to the island 14 times previously. We were directed to a mini bus and had to wait 20 minutes for two other couples. This is the first time we have visited the island using a package holiday so this was different for us.
We were soon at the church near the health centre on Plakes and the owner of the studio, Katerina, was there to meet us. We followed her a fairly short distance with our cases and then we were there at Swallow Studios. There are two studios first and second floor. We were in the top one. The staircase was a bit steep, not so much a problem going up but a bit of a one for me coming down as I have big feet and a dodgy knee 😀
Katerina led us into the studio and opened the curtains covering the large window and BOOM there it was, what a view from this window and the balcony ! Truly amazing ! No photo would do it justice. The view looked across the sea towards Kanapitsa with Megali Ammos to the right and Tsougria to the left. The Greek mainland in the background. About twenty yachts were moored in the bay. I could have sat there all day, but we had to unpack. This didn’t take long and we changed and walked down to the Taverna Thessaloniki to say hello to everyone.
We love this place and we shared the house salad and sardines with a few glasses of vino over some leisurely chats with old friends. We ordered a taxi and were dropped off at the rank on the harbour and wandered along to Syrainos for an arm wrestle with Miri then settled down in Mythos bar and watched the boats return. Blistering heat outside we were tucked up in the shade.
It was at this point that my good lady informed me she wanted to have a very lazy week and wanted to relax on the beach at the Taverna Thessaloniki every day. Suits me I said. We said Hello to everyone at Sea U then walked up last Taverna Sellini up to the studio. On the way we stumbled upon a mini market so stocked up on essentials ie wine and Oregano crisps. A bottle of Affello wine was 3 euros !
The view from the balcony was awesome even at night. We could watch the small fishing boats and the stars twinkling overhead.
Next morning we were on Megali Ammos beach for about 930am and our routine was settle down, sun cream on, good book, swim, repeat and we did this every day except one.
We had lunch everyday in the Thessy as we call it, red snapper,meatballs,kalimari, salads etc. then out into the sun and more swimming. When we’d had enough we’d walk back to the studio past the graveyard and Amfiliki. On occasion we shared a carafe before setting off in the heat of the sun.
We dined out on a night twice at the Bourtzi, the spicy prawns and pork belly are absolutely delicious and we visited this place every night we love it. We also dined in another favourite To Palouki which was excellent and we dined at Basilikos which we’d visited before. We had lobster soup, stuffed vine leaves, sea bream and battered cod. It was nice but nothing more. We had reserved the table but got the feeling they wanted us in and out, in fact we were in and out in about 50 minutes.We hung out around the old harbour each night and loved it. No name had to be done as well.
One morning we were walking past the water sports place on Megali Ammos and the good lady stopped to watch a speedboat/ large dinghy come in. She commented how she would love to go on it and five minutes later we were on it ! Racing around the bay and along the coast, it was fantastic and we were dropped at Achladies and we bagged two sunbeds there. The only day not spent in the Thessy, we shared a seafood platter for two in the Paradise Taverna and got the water taxi to the old harbour where once again we settled down at Mythos bar to watch the boats returning. A great day !
Before long it was time to go home. The airport procedure was very smooth, great air con. The flight left on time but the 40 minute fuel stop at Kavala turned into a 1 hour 50 minute drag. We had been on that plane longer than three hours before anyone was offered refreshments, not even water and there were plenty of children on board. Not acceptable.
One thing I noticed this year was that the sea is creeping up at Megali Ammos. A beach that is narrow in places is getting even narrower. We had a lovely, relaxing, dare I say, romantic week. It really is a special place.
Hope my whistle stop review didn’t bore anyone.