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Post by bvrc on Aug 27, 2018 20:17:00 GMT
Rain stopped play today so I’ve no excuse not to post.... sorry they’re all on top of each other!
Day 1 Luton departure at 0605 went about 15 mins late & couldn’t fault the whole process, I think Luton works better in the middle of the night when few facilities are open 😄 On arrival, plane doors opened to the familiar heat, through the airport with no hassle & got a taxi to the Skiathos Diamond Apartments, really lovely hosts and very large spotless room. Went next door for a late lunch in Veronika pool bar & then sat by pool dozing until it was ‘going out’ time. Went for bus at the same time as everyone else on the island and 3 went by without even stopping! No 4 stopped, goodness knows why, as a few of us crammed ourselves on in the most uncomfortable friendly way, but he hardly had the space for those he had already on board. Anyway, we got to town and wandered through the very busy streets from bus stop 4, the indirect way avoiding Papadiamantis St. We ended up in the old port viewing the gorgeous boats and the usual sights of night no. 1 of a Skiathos holiday, went up the steps and opted for the restaurant beside Ricchi E Poveri (we guessed it probably needed booked in advance, something we rarely do on a holiday). The restaurant was called Kon Tiki and it was lovely, great view too! Stopped in Mythos bar for a drink, then a wander up Papadiamantis St back to bus stop 4 for a jam packed ride home! Stopped for a drink at Skiathos Diamond, they don’t really have a bar but we sat in restaurant area, an ‘on the house’ night cap rounded of Day 1. Going to try and upload a pic from each day too 😄
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Post by bvrc on Aug 27, 2018 21:00:28 GMT
I need to try a bit with pics but rest of updates so far to follow....
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Post by bvrc on Aug 27, 2018 21:01:33 GMT
Day 2 We usually rent a quad whilst here but there was a mix up with the booking in that Victoria rentals had the date correct but day wrong so after it didn’t turn up and we rang, they were very apologetic & gave us a jeep instead for the first day of the booking. We drove from one end of the island (starting at Xanemos after a quick breakfast in town), to Koukanaries, via Asselinos. Went swimming at Koukanaries which was lovely, the beach was quieter than I thought it would be on the last Sat of August. Lots of changes to be seen at bus stop 26 end, new tennis courts & basketball court but less parking. We were going to go up to the new Elivi hotel for a drink (nosey) but that road is closed and a guy sitting at the end of the road turning people away so we didn’t bother. A courtesy bus is available to take people to Banana beach. Came back to Skiathos Dismond for a little pool time, then went to Infinity Blue down the road - another lovely meal, very busy and they were turning people away. Got bus to Koukanaries for a few drinks in Agustera then home (late) to bed.
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Post by bvrc on Aug 27, 2018 21:03:03 GMT
Day 3 Mmmm, bit of a headache this morning! Self- inflicted though so no sympathy! Got the quad today so went into town for fuel for it & us - Cosy bar in front of where the boats come in. Great people watching spot... Decided on Kolios beach, it was very hot and little breeze. In and out of the water kept it bearable. Decided to brave the bus again into town and the 2nd one stopped tonight so we squashed ourselves on it - bus stop 15 is probably quite unlucky for comfortable bus journeys either end of the day! Ate beside the school on Papadiamintis St, Souvlaki Strike - service bad and 1 rude waiter but food good for what it is. Had a drink in Portobello and then one for the road in the last little bar on the strip of the new harbour, candlelit only and lovely. Stood on bus the whole journey back to No 15, then stopped in Xanthi bar for one before bed.
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Post by bvrc on Aug 27, 2018 21:07:41 GMT
Day 4 Overcast morning so headed to town for a late breakfast in the new port. Looked as if it was improving so headed to Xanemos beach, no sooner than we sat down on the loungers, the sky got more grey and before long the rain had started! Headed back to town and took a walk around the back streets, places familiar to us at night but looks so different during the day. Rain was only drops now & again at this stage so had a lovely wander about. It was threatening to get worse so we dived undercover at Mythos Bar for a beer & toast whilst watching all the day boats come rushing back into land full of drenched people. Got very cold sitting around so in a break in the rain we made a dash for the quad & returned to the apartments - ate at Skiathos Diamond tonight, was lovely, after a pre-dinner drink in Xanthi. After dinner we went down the road to the bar at Yadim studios for one, a night cap in Xanthi then bed. Forecast & rumours give bad weather until about 3/4pm tomorrow. Cinema booked for tomorrow evening so hope it’s dry at least by then....
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Post by kelso on Aug 28, 2018 5:59:49 GMT
Well at least the rain clouds had a silver lining for us, as you took the time to bring us up to date with your comings and goings. As a fan of Demetris Studios I was living every step of your report. Yes, the only draw back with Kolios is the battle to get on the bus at night, but you do get to meet some interesting people when you are crammed on! A couple of times I've ended up taking the bus to Koukounaries to get back into town, only to find that the bus did stop at BS 15! I'm also a fan of Xanthi. Matina and Bil are great hosts and work really hard. Have you tried their barbecue and quiz night on a Monday night? It is great fun. Does father Manos still wake the whole valley up with his coughing at 6.30 every morning? I hope the weather improves and you get out and abou, as long as that doesn't mean that you won't have time to keep us up to date with your report! Bob
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 339
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Aug 28, 2018 6:30:18 GMT
Hi bvrc, lovely feedback, thanks for bringing us up to date with your holiday, staying in Bob's favourite area of Skiathos too. 😃 Sounds like you are having a lovely time but the bus, in August, you are brave! Hope it doesn't rain too much whilst you are there and you continue to have a great holiday. Keep the feedback coming if you can, it is greatly appreciated! 🤗
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 28, 2018 8:15:25 GMT
This is great stuff, keep it coming.
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Post by bvrc on Aug 28, 2018 22:00:17 GMT
Day 5 Spectacular thunder woke us about 6.30 but my cosy bed at Skiathos Diamond lulled me back to sleep until 10ish, apparently the thunder had been going all morning but I was oblivious to it 😄 In a break from the rain we managed to make it into town and went for breakfast at Portobello, the place was bunged with wet tourists also looking breakfast/shelter! The heavens opened as soon as we got in there so we sat a while people and rain watching. Afterwards we went for a stroll around the Plakes area, it was only spitting by then so quite pleasant - it is a lovely area that I have only ever seen at night when we have got lost, from up there we could see that a few of the day boats had made it out, rain doesn’t stop play for them! We made it back to the apartment & within an hour we braved the pool, where suddenly the sun came out and it was hard to believe we were still on the same day - got a bit of tannage done before heading out into town for eats & cinema - we had gone about 3 bus stops when we had to park up and seek shelter from the torrential downpour. Got into town eventually and decided to park up the quad and bus it back - rain was starting again so we dived into a restaurant with no deliberation or thinking should we or shouldn’t we. Once in we realised we had came in the back entrance of Mouria, a restaurant I had been describing only yesterday but neither of us could remember its name. Lovely meal, ate far too much and just as we were about to leave for the cinema, here we go again, another downpour! A quick purchase of plastic rain covers and off we went to the cinema - great buzz despite the rain 😄. Then it got worse, and worse! An announcement offered money back or an exchange but the only other Mamma Mia 2 showing this week is tomorrow night & it’s fully booked. A lot left but a few mad people stayed put and to be honest we were soaked by then anyway, so what harm could it do! Only one more drenching during the film and we got the bus back. I was drenched through, underwear included (!!) but a quick change and we popped into Theodora bar for a nightcap as Xanthi & Skiathos Diamond were empty - the bar at Theodora was like a little piece of heaven, dry & warm so now off to bed, Cher ringing in my ears! I’m hoping it’s dry tomorrow 😄
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Post by bvrc on Aug 28, 2018 22:10:59 GMT
Thanks all for your comments! I told myself I’d try and post this year as I enjoy reading all the other feedback on here. Xanthi bar is a great wee spot for a pre dinner drink or just when you think you need a break up the lane back to the Skiathos Diamond late at night 😄. We popped in on Monday night and seen the BBQ & quiz advertised but there were not many around, probably due to the bad weather. Not heard Manos yet, unless it was really him this morning snd not thunder 😄. Incidentally the bus back tonight was unusually quiet, either the rain kept people indoors or it has quietened down a little, but it’s probably still a bit early for that.
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Post by Tre on Aug 28, 2018 23:35:44 GMT
bvrc, great feedback. I’m just imagining Theodora given the weather today; bet the new bar set up was really welcome. If you call to Theodora again, pass on my regards to Maggie........ Back in May next year Enjoy every minute Tre x
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Post by dennisn on Aug 29, 2018 6:30:49 GMT
WOW, this is great! I had a big day driving yesterday, went to bed at 8pm on Tuesday for 4am alarm and just under 600 miles, so I had no idea this report was coming. It has been a real pleasure catching it. I look forward to any more you can manage. It's not really the thing to do, but I almost wish for more rain to keep you writing! My weather App shows straight sunshine for a good long time though - no more rain until Friday 7th September when we arrive - hopefully it is as inaccurate as always, we've never travelled on a rainy day and I don't want to start now!
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Post by dennisn on Aug 29, 2018 10:05:16 GMT
Uhoh. My weather App has now changed to having lightning on English Friday 7th. Cue panic and dread and all that stuff. Please improve by then.
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Post by bvrc on Aug 29, 2018 19:33:12 GMT
bvrc, great feedback. I’m just imagining Theodora given the weather today; bet the new bar set up was really welcome. If you call to Theodora again, pass on my regards to Maggie........ Back in May next year Enjoy every minute Tre x The bar at Theodora is really lovely, their pool area is very welcoming. If we’re back (I hope so), I’ll say hi from you 😄
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Post by bvrc on Aug 29, 2018 19:36:12 GMT
Uhoh. My weather App has now changed to having lightning on English Friday 7th. Cue panic and dread and all that stuff. Please improve by then. Plenty of time for it all to change by then! Since the storms & rain of Monday & Tuesday, today was a lot fresher and breezier, cooler tonight as well, but still comfortable enough to have dinner outdoors.
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