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Post by bvrc on Sept 13, 2020 21:03:10 GMT
Sorry for my tardiness in getting my updates started...... Day 1 Jet 2 flight out of Birmingham was quite a surreal experience. Have flown out of Birmingham numerous times, especially to home (Ireland) and it’s always busy...., not this time! Got parking booked last minute in the multi-storey close to the terminal, 10 days cheap as a weekend there on previous visits (£80). Jet2 flight was faultless, very prompt getaway (no excuse 😄) and each couple were sat together and the aisle seat empty, at front of plane anyway. Everyone wore their masks and very little queuing for loos. Touch down was a bumpy affair and since we were in row 5, we were through and out the other side within 15 mins - bags off first and no testing. Taxi to Blue Horizon Studios just north of Skiathos town was another 10 mins so we were standing pool side 25 mins after landing - unbelievably quick! We got the penthouse apartment with a view of the pool, apartments spotless and very quiet - we’ll settle here quite nicely for the next 10 days! We wandered into town and Papadiamantis Street was eerily quiet, few locals going about their evening business but tourists were thin on the ground. Kept going until we reached the waterfront and took a right around the harbour and up the steps, I live the steps, the OH less so since he feels he was ripped off with the price of a beer and a cocktail many years ago - 22€!! I of course thought it was worth it 😄. Stopped at Kontiki for dinner as it was where we went last year on our first night - lovely view of the harbour and the Bourtzoi. We had a Greek salad and stuffed vine leaves for starters, followed by grilled chicken & moussaka, 2 beers and a bottle of water - 31€. Complimentary watermelon finished it off, only 7 people in the restaurant spaced out and staff wearing masks. Left there and had a drink in the bar opposite Totem, another one in the Old Port Bar, each of them quiet and no issues with keeping ourselves to ourselves! Headed back up the hill to the accommodation and stopped at Poseidon Villas for a nightcap which is just beside our studios. Pleasant in there with a huge outdoor area around the pool. Went to bed happy that we got a little tour around town on night number 1, great night’s sleep too, comfy beds and so, so quiet.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 13, 2020 21:04:14 GMT
Day 2
Quad arrived at 0940 to the apartment, so off we set for our obligatory trip to the far end of the island after a quick yoghurt & fruit brekkie in the apartment - I could eat that every day, all day! Nothing like Greek yoghurt 😄. Our first trip to Skiathos was 2000 when we booked a fortnight’s holiday to Koukanaries, our first foreign trip together. As the tour bus turned the corner and Koukanaries bay came into view we thought it was the most beautiful place on earth! Each year that view is still quite special. We headed to Ag Eleni, a fave beach of ours but left as the far end loungers are missing this year, we’re not fussed on the big squishy colourful cushions in front of the taverna. We mooched around to Mandraki Elias, stopping to take in the views, stunning drive and not one vehicle did we meet. Mandraki Elias had some proper surfer waves and one poor man almost came a cropper, he was almost beaten by the waves so started yelling for help and finally 2 guys made it out to him and dragged him in. He lay on the sand for about an hour with various offers of help from others before being able to walk up through the taverna, the taverna guys were rushing back and forth up the path so I guessed an ambulance or medical help was on its way but perhaps it wasn’t needed. We had a beautiful Greek salad there and a few hours in the sun. Headed back to the apartment, and got ready before dining at Kahlua on the club strip (it used to be a club, now a fancy restaurant). It was good but service very slow considering it was pretty empty - beetroot and quinoa salad and cheesy chips (!) for starters, sea bass and pork t bone steak for main, water, beers - complimentary cocktail of choice so a strawberry daiquiri and mojito followed - 61€. Was late leaving the restaurant so had a drink in each of the King & Queen, Old Port Bar and Poseidon Villas before calling it a day.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 13, 2020 21:04:56 GMT
Day 3 Another good sleep saw us waken after 0900 and another yoghurt & fruit fest on the balcony! From our balcony we can see Papadiamantis street way down below and the town sprawled ahead - really lovely, day and night. We headed off for a walk taking in the Plakes, down the steps, bourtzoi, along to the airport end, round the lake, back to Mylos for a drink and back up through town. Headed to Vromilominos for a swim, beach so quiet and tranquil, fish nibbled us though when we stood still in the water. We finished the afternoon snoozing by the pool at the apartments on the comfiest sun loungers ever! We decided to head west on the bus to Koukanaries intending to eat at Hera taverna which we enjoyed last year. The bus had reduced numbers and only goes every half hour but no one waiting at any stop so not a problem. Alas, we had a change of mind as Hera was closed! We ate at Under the Pine Tree which was ok, not as good as other gyros places - can’t remember the price but it was dearer than other gyros venues! Spent a few hours in Agustera where the fabulous barmaid remembered our round of drinks from last year 😄. Enjoyed the music and atmosphere for a few hours before getting the last bus back, we were the only 2 on it!! We finished the night with a couple in the Old Port Bar before heading to bed.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 13, 2020 21:05:31 GMT
Day 4 I was expecting a headache but none arrived - thankfully! Nothing worse than a hangover in the heat! The weather is fabulous, and even nights are warm enough so no cardigan is needed. A later breakfast today and then we set off dithering about which beach to head to. We called at Koukanaries just to check it out and were content enough that it wasn’t busy, we stayed there. Getting in and out of the water there and the shallowness of the water makes it so ideal for me as a pretty poor swimmer, and no stones to stub toes on 😄. We spent the whole day back and forth from lounger to the sea, it’s amazing how quick the time goes doing very little. We had a Greek salad in the taverna and were back to the apartments after 5. We walked towards Megali Amnos and opted for Twilight Taverna for dinner. Tzatziki and another Greek salad for starters and sea bream and stuffed tomatoes & peppers for mains - complimentary orange cake which was to die for, really good. Walked into town and just as we reached the harbour it started raining! We rushed round to the bar opposite Totem and by the time we were half way down our drink it had stopped. One drink in the Old Port bar was followed by The Blind Dog for what we think was our first time in there. Really enjoyed the singing, especially Zoe but numbers in there were creeping up so headed for ‘home’ after midnight.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 13, 2020 21:06:12 GMT
Day 5 Got up and since my yoghurt is finished and I hadn’t replenished we headed for Cosi Cafe on the harbour for breakfast - yoghurt special and omelette, diet coke & tea 11€. We then did a small walk around the Punta - we bought a hiking map and choosing some of the walks that are about 1 - 1.5 hours - the walk started hilly and we had to remove shoes at one stage through water but it was a different view of town from over there. We drove down to Xanemos for a drink but the taverna is all but closed up, a few on the beach with only a few loungers out but not the same as before. We headed back to town and stopped for drinks and a salad at the gyros place with a fantastic viewing spot outside at the end of our road. Great Greek salad, and not too stingy with the feta 😄. Spent the afternoon by the pool. Had dinner in To palouki beside 1901 in town - the best meal so far. Hummous & Greek salad to start off (best hummous ever!) plus bread, then beef in a red sauce with roasted veg & with potatoes and rice. So tasty! We were sometimes served by the owner’s 9 year old son who was very entertaining for all guests. Guests who had no grasp of the Greek language and he with no grasp of the English language but that didn’t deter him 😄. An enjoyable meal with complimentary schnapps, 44€. Squeezed in a cocktail in Seagull at the end of happy session, then 1 in Old Port Bar before calling at Poseidon Villas for a chilled last one of the day, and I got a chance to type all this up 😄. Again, sorry it has taken me so long!
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Post by dennisn on Sept 13, 2020 22:09:26 GMT
Wow, that’s done me a power of good. Thank you Veronica, so much.
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Post by cariad23 on Sept 14, 2020 8:10:00 GMT
Enjoying this very much
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Sept 14, 2020 12:40:43 GMT
Lovely, enjoying your posts bvrc 😃
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Post by bvrc on Sept 16, 2020 8:35:36 GMT
Day 6 We’re not known for our early starts on holidays but this morning saw us up at 0900 and 20,655 steps later at 0150 in the morning we were climbing into bed. Since lockdown began in late March the OH and I have been walking daily, partly to get us out of the house when working from home & partly to improve our health. We didn’t want the holiday to scupper the walking plan so we bought a little book with various hikes outlined and have chosen some of those around the 1 1.5 hour mark. Today we headed for the hills after a quick breakfast on the balcony, really clouded over so ideal for walking. We took a right turn in Katsarou up towards Olive Thea and Paradise hotel (where we spent many happy holidays) and went down the track beside the Paradise heading into the wilderness. We have biked it down there before and get so far and turn, OH has vertigo and it creeps in every now and then. Today we decided we’d go so far on the quad and then walk the rest. We parked up at a particular rutty corner and started walking towards Ligaries where we found a dull sky over an empty beach and seagulls had taken over the far end for their day of fun. The walk was along a brook and we criss crossed it numerous times, sun only blinking in and out so we never got seriously hot. Not one other person on the beach and only about 25-30 loungers out. It was eerily quiet, like a beach somewhere cold, in the winter. We headed on to Kechria, a beach we’ve never visited in the last 20 years!! The drop down the concrete drive tested our sole grips & our calves! The tavena looked like someone had just closed it the day before, expecting no intrusion to sometime much later, cleaning products and the obligatory hand gels sitting around but no people. We walked through the grassy bit which is lovely and then onto the beach and dipped our toes in the water, the beach just ours for a few minutes. Trainers on again we went through the carpark and just behind the caravan there’s a signposted walk through the ‘Enchanted Forest’ - we took a wrong turn for a bit but corrected ourselves so that we did the loop through the jungle-like forest, a river runs constantly with small waterfalls, little bridges and plane trees with huge contorted trunks. Technically this loop is not a standalone walk in the book so I/OH will write it up as a ‘something to do’ walk and put it in general info section. Underfoot it was dangerous at times especially on the higher climbing bits as so many leaves have fallen but we managed it unscathed and ready for lunch somewhere/anywhere. Kechria taverna was still deserted although 2 more tourists were unloading an extraordinary amount of stuff from a car so perhaps they would see potential custom later. We walked onto the Ligaries taverna, set a bit back from the beach and had a lovely lunch of tuna salad, yoghurt & fruit, & bread and our complimentary sweet of chocolate cookie consistency biscuits (slightly soft) sandwiching ice cream was very welcome. By the time we were leaving it for the walk back to the quad, a few more people had arrived but there was plenty of room for everyone spaced outside. Once back at the quad, the sun was now properly out so we headed back the route we came but turned towards Agia Paraskevi drive back, coming down through the various accommodations that should be open. We knew this drive as we previously stayed up here at Paschalis studios and enjoyed the drive through other apartments and potential venues for eating whilst there. Agia Paraskevi has taken a hit this year with closures. I heard or read somewhere TUI had cancelled accommodations in Troulos and concentrated their efforts in Ag Paraskevi so it was quite bustling - this doesn’t seem to be the case and it all looks rather abandoned which is a shame. The central open area opposite the Skiathos Princess hotel which has the Boubounakia restaurant, Roula apartments and Iguana bar, big supermarket & Platanias restaurant are all closed and gated off with weeds growing where lovely frontages (Plantanias rest) once where. It really impacts the whole look of Ag Paraskevi. A few more places further on are also closed, the restaurant beside Mesostrata and the small complex with the little bridge over the pool, the Arco hotel.... Spent the afternoon on the beach and had a snooze. We got back home and showered for dinner with no plans where to go but on climbing the steps from the harbour we opted for LoLa. Lovely food and for a change we got a ‘window seat’ - only 6 other tables dining. Had a parma ham salad, bread, fillet of beef and spaghetti bolagnaise. Freebie of 2 limoncellos and chocolate sponge cake with cream - bill came to 53€. Fit to burst we made it to the King & Queen where it was quiet and had a few drinks, tired and drinking slow the night passed by quickly and it was almost 0130 in the morning when we headed up Papadiamantis street back to the apartment!
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 16, 2020 15:01:17 GMT
Great stuff. Keep ‘em coming.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 16, 2020 15:14:54 GMT
Day 7
Got up a bit later today and the forecasted clouds were non existent, a bit breezy but beautiful unbroken sunshine. We drove to the Kanapitsa taverna and parked up and walked back out towards the main road, looped back up and back onto the Kanapitsa peninsula to walk around it. Sun was on us for most of the way, bar when we could seek out the shelter of the trees. We’d never done the circle before, stunning views from various vantage points and villas to die for; big ones & wee ones, all stunning - I’d live in any of them in a heartbeat (if I won the lottery)! It’s villas like those that I prefer, not the new arty minimalist ones that seem to be the trend, akin to Elivi. Yesterday at Kechria there is a building site right by the entrance to the beach ‘Kechria Bay Villas’ with the artist’s impression giving the hint they’re Elivi-style, which I don’t think the discerning holiday maker (that’s us lot) really wants from a Greek villa. We made it round the peninsula in an hour and then had lunch at the Kanapitsa taverna. Afterwards we drove to Asselinos for a nose and was surprised to see a few there and the taverna opened, it was a bit blustery for us so decided to go to Troulos beach. On arrival it was great to see all loungers taken (well, maybe not for us) which means some custom for the taverna & lounger guy; grant it not many loungers out but good nonetheless. Kolios beach was the same, no room for latecomers so as it was after 3 by this point we just went back to the pool and had it to ourselves, like my private pool at my private villa in my head 😄 Shower and got ready and mooched into town, really loving the non-preparing for a journey into town, we just go when we like. We were going to go to Scala at the steps and since about 15 entered the door before us we gave it a miss, bit of doubt about social distancing plus having to wait too long on food! Walked on down the front and onto club strip and was going to go to Karnagio but it was closed - lights dimmed and music on but door blocked off and no one there - it was open on Day 2. So we went to Liminaki instead, beetroot salad, chicken tropical and pork chop followed by complimentary cinnamon liqueur which I remember from before. It’s delicious and I’m going to make my own when I go home - will report back if palatable! Bill was 36.50€. Walked back to Gerani for a drink, I love the darkness of this coffee shop/bar, quite a few in all doing the same, watching the world go by! Had a few in the Old Port Bar, again watching the comings and goings at Meating place restaurant and headed back to Blue Horizon about 0100 - another late night!
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Post by bvrc on Sept 17, 2020 7:42:31 GMT
Day 8
Sun was out when I opened the balcony doors this morning and shone strongly during breakfast on the balcony, but as we headed off it threatened a few clouds - nothing came of it so we headed in Koukanaries direction and parked up at Agustera. We took the road beside Under the Pine Tree and went through the woods to Mandraki Elias beach, a nice walk in shady and sunny spells but it only took 25 mins. We had a spot on the beach at the far end on the loungers and only 3 other people were in that ‘half’ of the beach. A bit of tanning was done before a chips (so good here) and Greek salad late lunch. We got the sought after round table at the top of the steps with the fab views of the waves. Only 3 other tables occupied in the taverna. We left before 5.00pm for the walk back, taking a different path through proper forest but came out at Koukanaries at the same place. Made our way back to the apartment, a beer on the balcony and got ready for dinner. Masked up, we took the bus to Agia Paraskevi and went to Taverna Avli, only 4 people there so no problem with distancing. Greek music playing and we had hot bread and tapenade, stuffed vine leaves, butter beans, lamb shank and chicken in a clay pot - all really good - 43€. We walked up the lane further to Jimmy’s taverna to say hello to him, this was our spot a few years back when we stayed in the Paschalis studios. We got a lovely welcome and he was pleased for our custom. He’s stayed open despite some weeks only having 3 or 4 rooms occupied, and he hopes to break even by the end of the season, but there will be nothing made for the winter. He’s philosophical about it all and just hopes next year is better. Left with the intention of getting the second last bus back to town but as soon as we arrived at the bus stop a taxi pulled up and we explained that we couldn’t possibly get in as all we had left in the purse was 5€, no cash machines working in Ag Paraskevi!! The lovely taxi man said it wasn’t a problem and made us hop in - what a bargain! 5€ from bus stop 16 to no. 4!! We got cash back in town and finished the night with a few in the Old Port Bar.
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Post by dennisn on Sept 17, 2020 13:07:14 GMT
Now why won't this forum code allow us to hit the Like button multiple times?? Veronica, I am so enjoying your reports.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 18, 2020 12:18:09 GMT
Day 9
A late breakfast on the balcony of my usual yoghurt & fruit, deciding what to do today. We get to this stage of the holiday and plans go by the wayside and we just mooch through, time and days are going just as quick though. Sky a bit overcast but the sun is blinking through so I’m guessing it will burn off the clouds. No walking today so a touch of lazyitis has maybe set in too 😄. We flopped on Koukanaries beach, appreciating one of the most beautiful bays on the island that we normally give a wide berth to cos it’s usually so busy. Now the loungers are spaced, and not all of them taken, mainly just the front row and a few towels on the sand. It really is bliss. I started my book today, day 9, better late than never although I don’t think I’ll get through it, plus my spare!! It clouded over a few times but didn’t take away from a beautiful beach day. We had a club sandwich & tuna salad for a late lunch and left the beach about 5pm for the drive back. Quick turnaround and we were at bus stop 4 waiting on the bus back to Koukanaries. A taxi came along and we bartered a 10€ trip to Koukanaries and were there probably as the bus was just leaving town! We ate in Agustera, tzatsiki dip, Greek salad, moussaka, and stuffed tomatoes & peppers - all really good. Sometimes places like Agustera I regard as bars and therefore shy away from food but it was really good. I had a happy hour cocktail for Dennis’ birthday, followed by a few vods 😄. We caught the last bus back into town and promised we’d only have 1 drink before bed but alas, I think we had 3, another late night and a headache to boot this morning 🙉
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Post by bvrc on Sept 19, 2020 12:46:17 GMT
Day 10 A slow start seeing as weather was overcast, windy and rain forecast, although we didn’t get as much rain as forecast.... Went to Cosi cafe for breakfast, a huge croissant for me to soak up some of the alcohol in my system (!) and an omelette for the OH. We saw a plane making its last descent, waving about a bit and then sharply rise just about above Mylos, my stomach churned for everyone on board! It successfully came down on the 2nd attempt, about 10 mins later after a loop through the clouds. We strolled through the main street frequenting a few shops but the on & off of my mask was annoying me, it was very humid and each time I put it on I was sweating profusely, just my face. ‘Shopping’ done we went to Gerani coffee bar and had a diet coke & water and I got stuck into my book. Watched the comings & goings a bit also and then made our way back to the apartment, an easy slow day. The sky was looking ever more threatening so we hurried back down the hill into town for dinner, fully expecting to get soaked! We went to To Palouki again and had the hummous starter (again), Greek salad and bread followed by meatballs and chicken souvlaki. We were almost finished the mains when a few spots of rain started and we almost declined the offer to move indoors, but since the waitress had already started lifting our plates we followed suit. No sooner than we had plonked ourselves at table no. 2, the heavens opened, Skiathos style. It was much more than a light shower and we sat on in the restaurant to see it through, glad of table no. 2! The thing about heading out just after a downpour when it’s dark, is that you’re sure to get wet feet dodging the puddles, no matter how hard you dodge them. We sploshed our way to the Seagull bar for a beer and ‘unbeknownst’ to us we munched our way through 3 small bowls of crisps, replenished as soon as we cleared one 🙉. We watched another downpour there before heading to the Old Port Bar for a nightcap. Town was busy in places & strangely quiet in others, no idle wandering going on. We got back to the apartment dry but a lot cooler than previous nights, and before sleeping we could hear the wind howling and the rain beating merry hell at our door, it woke me on and off throughout the night. Since the Manchester flight was cancelled today, surely this worse weather didn’t bode well for our flight tomorrow? My plan for tomorrow was to have a lazy pool day but the forecast wasn’t making that look like a good plan!
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