|
|
Post by dennisn on Jul 24, 2021 6:33:42 GMT
What a lovely read to compliment the thunder and lightning this morning. Such a joy to read.
I don’t use ear buds, but it’s sort of interesting to learn you charge them with water. I wonder if it will work with this year’s new iPhone.
|
|
amy115
Full Member
Posts: 338
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
|
Post by amy115 on Jul 24, 2021 8:47:15 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed it too Kate and you made me chuckle about the ear buds. Its great to get first hand knowledge about the island and its people :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jul 24, 2021 11:17:01 GMT
Glad you’ve settled back into Skiathos life, enjoyed your post, please continue to wax lyrical.
From photos it appears the island is experiencing its usual influx of Greek youngsters this month.
|
|
|
|
Post by kevb on Jul 24, 2021 12:17:28 GMT
Thanks for the update Kate. Yes it must be difficult for the bar owners trying to second guess how much stock with limited shelf life like draft barrels, the bottles are a safer option until more folk pitch up. Hopefully I'll get up there at least a couple of times next holiday fingers crossed.
A Greek guy who I worked with grew up in Athens and when he was young he'd go off with his mates to Skiathos most summers so it's been a draw for young Greeks for a long time as its so easy accessed from mainland fairly cheaply. You've probably hit it as nearly peak for that demographic. Another reason I tend to hold back until late August, there's a mass exodus of the youngsters about third week in August as they go home to get prepared for their college courses restarting.
Enjoy your beach days, bit worrying that Meg Ammos is getting so busy, its one of mum's favourites if we can get beds near Swells.
|
|
|
|
Post by exgreekgod on Jul 25, 2021 6:59:01 GMT
Your hotel (The Water) sounds lovely, I suppose you could almost wave at the webcam😄
|
|
|
|
Post by katet on Jul 25, 2021 8:08:44 GMT
Morning all 😎. It’s 9.40 on Saturday morning and Dimitris, the hotel manager, has just knocked on my door - he brought me a take out coffee when he went to get his. So kind - I love this hotel!
Back to the report … on Thursday evening I ate at O Paraxenos and received the same wonderful greeting as always. It was fairly busy, but they were happy to receive a single diner. I skipped the starters (as usual) and had chicken souvlaki, which was beautifully presented and accompanied by a few fried potatoes and some summer veg. I had ordered sea bass, but there was a mix up and I didn’t want them to waste it - it was delicious anyway! They wanted to not charge me, but I wouldn’t let them.
After dinner it was getting late so I went for a quick drink at Andersson’s bar to meet a lady who works there (Martha) in person for the first time. She was so lovely and so happy to see me - wouldn’t let me buy the drink, so I had to have a second! I know Martha as I’ve been watching a live music stream by a band who play in Totem during lockdown - these musicians also play at Cookoonari and the Mandraki hotel now everything has opened. While I was getting to know Martha better (and her friend Matoula) some of the musicians appeared and it was brilliant to get to meet with them and talk about music and how tough it has been for musicians in Greece. (Everyone who couldn’t work here has had a one off €580 grant from the government and that was it.) After what seemed like only an hour, I walked beck to the hotel and was very surprised to see it was 2.30 am … whoops … I’m usually early to bed! Anyway, I slept like a log and was up by eight the next morning.
Friday: I was just getting sorted out for the day when I received a message from my friend, Julie, who moved here last year - just before we Brexited. She and her husband were going to Mythos for a coffee, so I met them there for a good catch up. To say I’m envious of their new life here is quite an understatement- they are blissfully happy and even enjoyed a Greek lockdown winter! I’m really happy for them, as they are such lovely people. After coffee I brought them back to the hotel to check it out and admire the fabulous view (and to give Julie some Earl Grey tea which is really pricey here). They were going up to the dog shelter (they are massive animal lovers) and so I tagged along too. Luckily, it was too late to walk any dogs and I resisted an offer to go and look at some recently abandoned puppies … I am granny to three dogs and two cats, one dog being a Skiathos rescue from last year, and I have the dogs to stay quite a lot. Three active, small dogs is quite enough! I made a donation instead.
After the dog shelter visit, it was lunch time and Julie suggested Troulos Bay hotel - I jumped at the chance to try it and was so pleased I did. I’m sure that many of you will know how good it it … I was very impressed by the food, prices (!), setting and ambience. We all had chicken dishes - schnitzel, a la creme and with mustard sauce - soft drinks and a bottle of water and the bill was €35! I’ll definitely go back and spend a day there. My friends dropped me off in town, after arranging that we’ll go to Cookoonari for dinner in the week, when the band is there. Another friend arrives on Wednesday and so we’ll probably go on Thursday evening. Julie’s never been to the Agustera and so we’ll call there too.
I had a snooze when I got back to The Water … the sound of the waves just outside is so soothing 😴. Later, I went to eat at Syrainos and had a special salad and Bacardi & coke while I had a chat with Dimitris about his life as a new dad. Like so many other businesses, times are difficult and they have to manage with a skeleton staff. I hope us visitors are patient - they are literally running around at busy times trying to get to everyone. It was about ten thirty by this time, so I decided to call in at Totem fair an hour to get my music fix. I wasn’t asked for my vaccination proof (which I should have been) and it was comfortably busy. I had a really enjoyable couple of hours, including a mojito and special Totem cocktail… no idea what was in it, but it was very delicious. At €12 each not cheap though! Some expats I’ve met before were there, so I sat with them and we had a good time … the band is excellent. I left at one am … an early night! 😁 I’ve found the quickest route back to base now, so was soon safely tucked up in my very comfy bed.
|
|
|
|
Post by katet on Jul 25, 2021 8:10:38 GMT
Morning all 😎. It’s 9.40 on Saturday morning and Dimirtis, the hotel manager, has just knocked on my door - he brought me a take out coffee when he went to get his. So kind - I love this hotel! Back to the report … on Thursday evening I ate at O Paraxenos and received the same wonderful greeting as always. It was fairly busy, but they were happy to receive a single diner. I skipped the starters (as usual) and had chicken souvlaki, which was beautifully presented and accompanied by a few fried potatoes and some summer veg. I had ordered sea bass, but there was a mix up and I didn’t want them to waste it - it was delicious anyway! They wanted to not charge me, but I wouldn’t let them. After dinner it was getting late so I went for a quick drink at Andersson’s bar to meet a lady who works there (Martha) in person for the first time. She was so lovely and so happy to see me - wouldn’t let me buy the drink, so I had to have a second! I know Martha as I’ve been watching a live music stream that she does too, by a band who play in Totem during lockdown - these musicians also play at Cookoonari and the Mandraki hotel now everything has opened. While I was getting to know Martha better (and her friend Matoula) some of the musicians appeared and it was brilliant to get to meet with them and talk about music and how tough it has been for musicians in Greece. (Everyone who couldn’t work here has had a one off €580 grant from the government and that was it.) After what seemed like only an hour, I walked beck to the hotel and was very surprised to see it was 2.30 am … whoops … I’m usually early to bed! Anyway, I slept like a log and was up by eight the next morning. Friday: I was just getting sorted out for the day when I received a message from my friend, Julie, who moved here last year - just before we Brexited. She and her husband were going to Mythos for a coffee, so I met them there for a good catch up. To say I’m envious of their new life here is quite an understatement- they are blissfully happy and even enjoyed a Greek lockdown winter! I’m really happy for them, as they are such lovely people. After coffee I brought them back to the hotel to check it out and admire the fabulous view (and to give Julie some Earl Grey tea which is really pricey here). They were going up to the dog shelter (they are massive animal lovers) and so I tagged along too. Luckily, it was too late to walk any dogs and I resisted an offer to go and look at some recently abandoned puppies … I am granny to three dogs and two cats, one dog being a Skiathos rescue from last year, and I have the dogs to stay quite a lot. Three active, small dogs is quite enough! I made a donation instead. After the dog shelter visit, it was lunch time and Julie suggested Troulos Bay hotel - I jumped at the chance to try it and was so pleased I did. I’m sure that many of you will know how good it it … I was very impressed by the food, prices (!), setting and ambience. We all had chicken dishes - schnitzel, a la creme and with mustard sauce - soft drinks and a bottle of water and the bill was €35! I’ll definitely go back and spend a day there. My friends dropped me off in town, after arranging that we’ll go to Cookoonari for dinner in the week, when the band is there. Another friend arrives on Wednesday and so we’ll probably go on Thursday evening. Julie’s never been to the Agustera and so we’ll call there too. I had a snooze when I got back to The Water … the sound of the waves just outside is so soothing 😴. Later, I went to eat at Syrainos and had a special salad and Bacardi & coke while I had a chat with Dimitris about his life as a new dad. Like so many other businesses, times are difficult and they have to manage with a skeleton staff. I hope us visitors are patient - they are literally running around at busy times trying to get to everyone. It was about ten thirty by this time, so I decided to call in at Totem fair an hour to get my music fix. I wasn’t asked for my vaccination proof (which I should have) and it was comfortably busy. I had a really enjoyable couple of hours, including a mojito and special Totem one … no idea what was in it, but it was very delicious. At €12 each not cheap though! Some expats I’ve met before were there, so I sat with them and we had a good time … the band is excellent. I left at one am … an early night! 😁 I’ve found the quickest route back to base now, so was soon safely tucked up in my very comfy bed. |
|
|
|
Post by dennisn on Jul 25, 2021 8:19:07 GMT
Kate, your reports are EXACTLY what I need. I hesitate to press you, but if you can keep doing them I’m sure everybody else will be as grateful as I am. You’re a star!
|
|
|
|
Post by exgreekgod on Jul 25, 2021 8:29:04 GMT
Lovely reports Kate thanks,keep them coming 👍
|
|
|
|
Post by kevb on Jul 25, 2021 9:34:04 GMT
Small world (well small island really) but I know Julie as well. I was one of those on TA to encourage her to give the island a go as a solo female visitor when she posted about it before her first visit in 2013.
Purely by chance when she eventually picked her dates some of them overlapped with a holiday I'd already booked with a drinking buddy so though it was my only 2nd trip we took Julie out for a few meals and tried to pass on what we knew. She subsequently went back far more often than I did!
I met Graham with her at Swells for lunch in 2015 just before they were married, not seen them since. I think they will probably be meeting up with quite a few people this summer so I might contact her to see if they are available for a coffee if we get there, she's never met mum and we are broadly from the same area of Yorkshire.
|
|
|
|
Post by cariad23 on Jul 25, 2021 9:49:13 GMT
Really enjoying your posts Kate, next best thing to being there. We,ve met julie too i think the second time she stayed at Angeliki, i always read her posts and saw a lady i guessed was her and went and said hello. we have often exchanged news about the cats on facebook as we are both big cat lovers, and dogs. She sent me a copy of her wedding photos too , we both know marg (pinky girl) missed her posts this year.
I only hope the next year flies by so we can return to our favourite island.
|
|
amy115
Full Member
Posts: 338
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
|
Post by amy115 on Jul 26, 2021 16:36:14 GMT
I am also enjoying your diary Kate and eager to read more. I wonder, though, who ended up with your seabass?  |
|
|
|
Post by *Di* on Jul 26, 2021 21:43:22 GMT
Lovely reports to read Kate… thank you for sharing with us! So envious of you, just enjoy that bit more for us my dear 😁❤️
|
|
|
|
Post by katet on Jul 27, 2021 16:44:05 GMT
I haven’t forgotten … or been abducted! Just a few late evenings and early mornings. Will get to it ASAP, but am keeping notes 🤓
|
|
|
|
Post by dennisn on Jul 27, 2021 16:57:48 GMT
I haven’t forgotten … or been abducted! Just a few late evenings and early mornings. Will get to it ASAP, but am keeping notes 🤓 That’s how Skiathos fools us all. We go out there full of good intentions (well I do) and suddenly, from the minute we get on the plane to fly there, I start enjoying myself so much that I forget all about reporting for the folks back home. And in no time at all, I’ve done nothing and I owe you all a whole day of writing. I have to say Kate that you are putting me to shame with your lovely reports. So more power to your elbow! |
|
