Symi Chat

So that's where my guide to Bradford went. I've been looking everywhere for it, had to buy another copy in the end.

Hope you found it as enjoyable as I did Jon.

What you will find is that the island's resident native English (or French, or German, or Italian and so on) speakers will be slightly less pleased with the spread of Kindles as they rely on books left behind by visitors to keep them in winter reading matter.

Andy W wrote:
I've used a Kindle on Symi too, though again not in July. I've also heard a graphic description of a whole row of people sitting outside Lefteris' Kafenion reading Kindles each using the LED lights sold by Amazon.

For those who have left their charger behind, the Kindle uses the same micro-USB socket that modern smartphones and even low end mobile phones use, so the Symi mobile phone shop would almost certainly sell you a suitable charger.

That's a hot tip Andy W - must note that one.

Maybe there's scope for a wee book exchange on Simi, like the one in the laundry in Lindos, I'm sure some enterprising person has a bit of space somewhere.You do of course have to pay a nominal amount for the books, but most people just donate them back again.

Quite a few bars and cafes on the island do that already Olga. They are very popular with visitors during the season and ex-pat residents during the winter.

The Olive Tree in Horio always has a good selection to swap.Great grub too.

I'm an avid book swapper when on holiday in Symi, from the Olive Tree and Sunrise bar.There used to be a book swap at Pat's in the harbour and Julie's in Pedi too in the old days. I've discovered authors that I would not normally have chosen from a book shop or library in the UK and read their other works when I got home.One memorable occasion was when for a Christmas present a friend of mine got in touch with an author in Australia (I'd read one of his books in Symi and loved it) who sent me one of his out of print books with a lovely dedication. I buy a couple of holiday reads at the airport on my way out and continually swap for the rest of my holiday. As others have said the locals are always happy to see new books so it'a a good job the likes of Kojak and myself are dinasaurs where the kindle is concerned

Well put Colette. Exactly why i take books with me but leave them - swap all my holiday books for one for the way back. My son and daughter keep trying to get me to use a kindle but i like the pysicality of books. Plus if you fall asleep and a kindle drops to the floor = trouble - if you fall asleep and a book drops to the floor = b++++r i've lost my place!

Don't get me wrong, I still prefer to read an actual book with pages and stuff - there are over 5,000 of the things in this house. We're planning another 40' or so of shelving...which is rather the problem with travelling. I have a very short attention span, and usually have about five books on the go at any one time. If I took enough keep my reading daemons in check, I wouldn't be able to bring 15kg of camera gear with me. And I need all that gear, OK?

So a Kindle, which slips into a pocket, solves this dilemma. If I could get one that took publication-quality photos, I'd marry it.

I must have been wandering around with my brain in neutral all these years. This year I will take less books and swap, Thanks for the info everyone.

Iv'e left lots of books at the Anastoula over the years, but I didn't realise there was so much more scope for swaps, I really must take more notice, I blame it on the distraction of the great views, or something.

I've used a Kindle in Australia in 42c and had no problems as for forgetting the charger, the Kindle keeps its charge for 2 months. Also the led lights for it are only 99p free P and P, from Ebay and Amazon are a lot more expensive

Findlay and I bought a kindle to take to Symi last September and it was great. We had no problems using it, but did use it in the shade and not full sunlight. We charged it up before we left and that lasted the whole holiday. No problem with the breeze turning the pages when out on the Round the Island Trip, etc. We are total converts.

I used my Kindle on Symi in mid-July last year with absolutely zero problems and it was hot! Read loads of books on the beach and managed to download very easily at Pedi and elsewhere (3g version). I'd advise you buy a screen cover - it's just a bit of plastic that fits over the screen and keeps it from being scratched should it fall off your sunbed! Like Mrs McS, I'm a total convert - no more running after unglued pages on the beach.

Hi all Kindle users! Probably a stupid question but as new enthusiastic Kindle readers we're not sure if we will be able to read them on the plane. I think there should be no problem with the Wifi switched off but Hubby keeps mentioning it so I thought I'd come to the experts!!
Won't be in Symi until September (roll on!) but off on a walking holiday staying in Deya in the Mallorcan hills in 10 days time. Well, not sure how much walking we'll do but we're certainly taking the walking boots with us. Sure we'll enjoy but wondering what on earth we'll have for pre dinner drinkies.....NO OUZO IN SPAIN

No problem Sue. I use mine on the plane with no trouble at all. They are probably counted as 'electronic devices' so shouldn't be used during takeoff and landing but otherwise you're fine.

Hope you have a good time walking in Mallorca!

Thanks - no need to pack paperbacks just for the plane then. Looking forward to doing whatever in Mallorca but Symi is still the 'love of our life' and September seems a long way off. We do need a break now though and hopefully we won't be wishing the summer (???) away quite so much this year once we've had an early sunshine and fresh air boost. No swimming though - I suspect the sea will still be rather chilly but much prettier than Scarborough (our nearest 'beach' resort!)

Allan wrote:
No problem Sue. I use mine on the plane with no trouble at all. They are probably counted as 'electronic devices' so shouldn't be used during takeoff and landing but otherwise you're fine.

Hope you have a good time drinking walking in Mallorca!

Absolutely. We fly quite a bit, and the Kindle has made this far more bearable. Just turn it off when asked, as Allan says.

We've been to Symi quite a few times now and I've never thought of book swapping - what a good idea especially with the weight restrictions now imposed by the budget airlines. We'll bring and leave some in the forementioned bars when we come in August. What a perfect excuse for going to the bar

Skeetes i take books in - up to weight restriction - and take back Metaxa instead of books. - Now that is what i think is a dashed good idea!!!!