Magical Margaritas

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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 08 Oct 2016, 08:47

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Blue Star Heading Back to Athens via Symi
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 08 Oct 2016, 08:48

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The View from Dinner at Thollos
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 08 Oct 2016, 08:50

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Towards Nimborio at Sunset
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby Gemma1 » 08 Oct 2016, 08:52

Your Wendy Craig comment made me laugh, you certainly know how to write a great blog :) I'm already planning in my head to return for 2 weeks in 2018 - we shall see if the plan comes to fruition ;)
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby silverfox » 08 Oct 2016, 16:09

You are getting so good at this D & E.

This blog should tempt so many people to visit this paradise!

We are so looking forward to next year already.

:)
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 08 Oct 2016, 18:34

Gemma & Silverfix - you are both so kind with your comments. You may get a much more intriguing blog if this air traffic controller dispute isn't resolved but as they say here siga , siga - having an ouzo in Cafe Alegriko and replying on his wifi.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 09 Oct 2016, 08:24

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Fish from the Nireus Jetty - an E pic


Saturday - Day 10 on Symi

With only the hint of a plan to head to Ag.Marina we awoke to a fresher day and a hint of some clouds. D did the bread run and over breakfast of yoghurt & honey with fruit from the generous complimentary bowl that Margarita supplies we decided that we would walk as far as the shack on the road to Nimborio for frappe and then head over by St.George's Monastery. We took a different route back into Yialos by turning left towards the helicopter landing area and then taking a right fork and walking down through the houses found ourselves at the Clock Tower.

After the walk a cooling beer was called for in the Stella Bar where we watched the day trippers come off the Nicolas boat. The fist Mythos went down so well and we were so comfortable we decided to stay a while and watch the gathering clouds darken as they came over the Vigla - at around lunchtime it did seem that we might get rain but it came to nothing. Some time was spent on the iPhone making contingency plans in case the threatened air traffic controllers strike became a reality.

We then wandered around Yialos popping into one or two shops and the Symi Tours offices to enquire about the Tuesday Toils trip but found it was fully booked which surprised us a bit. We then had an ouzo in Alegriko and a retsina in Elpida's as a very tall Turkish gullet berthed and then we headed back to the apartment - one of those days where the time just slipped away.

After making ourselves presentable we headed back around the harbour to pay for and pick up something we had chosen in the afternoon. That saw us beside Alegriko so it would have been rude not to start our aperitif there. We then headed to Elpida's and were lucky to get a seat as it really is very popular with locals and it was very busy. We then headed for dinner at Odyssia again. D had a prawn fest with the shared prawn starter followed by spaghetti with prawns, although the spaghetti is really linguini but the sweet light tomato sauce is perfect with seafood. E had the sea bass again as this is a lovely dish.

After a chat with Katholika over the complimentary cake, Restina and water melon we headed round the corner and with a clear sky full of stars went to bed.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 09 Oct 2016, 08:27

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An Afternoon Retsina in Elpida's
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 09 Oct 2016, 08:28

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A Majestic Turkish Gullet - an E pic
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 10 Oct 2016, 06:53

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Perfect Properties in Pedi


Sunday - Day11 on Symi

After hearing from several sources, including the ever reliable AndyW on this Forum, that the air traffic controller's strike had been averted we decided to get our tickets for the return journey on the Blue Star at 08:15 this coming Wednesday. So after a leisurely breakfast we headed to the Symi Tours office where we bumped into the same couple who had first told us about the impending strike. Alas their flights had been cancelled on Saturday but they had been able to get Sunday flights and were rearranging their ferry tickets to head over to Rhodes in the evening - hope everything went smoothly for them.

Cafe Aiglios was closed so we had a frappe in the Corner Cafe before walking over to Pedi via the School / Lazy steps where the Symi Dream day boat was depositing load of visitors many jumping straight into the bus for Panormitis.

Pedi was positively quiet compared to our visit the week before. We had our sausage pie and chicken pie lunch from the supermarket, a beer from the sun bed guy, swam some, read some and walked back around 15:00. As we had decided to head "up" for dinner we didn't have any beer stops on the return walk :'(

Anyway we were changed and back out and caught a taxi, as the difference between the bus and a taxi is only €1, to the Village Hotel and walked round to Yannis Rainbow where we had our "usual seats" :D . After watching some very "entertaining" characters we headed to Zoe's for dinner where we had a Mezes of beetroot with skadalia, courgette balls, dolmades, Mousaka and the wonderful saganaki prawns - all beautifully cooked and presented.

Our friends D&G were there and we all had a few laughs before we wished Zoe and her family a good winter and despite the offer of a taxi decided to walk home down the Kali Strata and past a very lively Vapori Bar at 23:00. George at Alexandra's was just closing up - they do have to work some very long hours to get the business - so after a good night to him we walked round the harbour under the stars and off to bed.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 11 Oct 2016, 09:57

Monday - Day 12 on Symi

After what will be the last bread run (Tuesday will be our last Nireus walk-in breakfast) we decided to have a last away day returning to Ag.Marina on Irini & Luka's 10:00 taxi boat. They have reduced from three boats to two as the season starts to wind down.

When we arrived in Ag.Marina it is clear that preparations are being made to start the close up procedures. Many of the beds beside the jetty where the taxi boats drop you off have been removed. The restaurant area is closed and is being vigorously power washed. The awnings are being removed and are also subject to scrupulous cleaning. But tables have been set in the bar area and a full menu is still being provided. Our usual "timetable" is maintained with sun, beer break, swim, lunch, reading, sun, return on the last boat at 16:45.

Having omitted Ag.Marina from our last few visits we forgot how good it is there. For lunch we shared the freshest lightly fried calamari which was the best we have had in a long while with pesto spaghetti and a tomato salad. We had grilled pita bread instead of the usual bread and with a couple of glasses of retsina and a couple of glasses of the chilled and fruity house red (D has to have red with pasta for some strange reason) we had a wondfully leisurely lunch.

After returning to Yialos we popped into the Corner Cafe for a small beer and so say our farewells to the twins that we have had so many entertaining times with. Home, showered and out to Elpida's for the nightly apperitif which was accompanied by filo cheese pie and spicy sausage. We finally bought the clock that we saw in Anna's shop next door and asked them to wrap it well as we intend to send it to ourselves by post the next day.

Then we headed to Odyssia which was very busy (as was Tholos) where we shared his grilled prawns for the last time this visit, as we had decided to book Tholos for our last night, and D had his favourite amberjack which tastes of a cross between tuna and monk fish. E had a very simple chicken fillet which was one of the most perfectly grilled prieces of chicken either of us have ever tasted - it came with a baked potato (fries were also offered) and a tamarind / BBQ type sauce which certainly enhanced the dish. The complimentary sweet was a chocolate mousse with hazelnuts, served in a tall glass and enough for two spoons. This sweet would not be out of place on Professional Masterchef - a total delight.

And so at a relatively early hour we walked round the corner under clear skies and another wonderful day on this magical island ended.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 11 Oct 2016, 15:05

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Ag.Marina
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 11 Oct 2016, 15:07

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A Comfortable Cat Shares D's Sunbed
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 11 Oct 2016, 15:10

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The Chocolate Mousse at Odyssia
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby D and E » 11 Oct 2016, 15:36

Tuesday - Day 13 & The Last Full Day on Symi

It is 17:15 on Symi and we are on the balcony of our apartment watching the Posseidon return from today's trip. The bags are half packed and it will soon be time to get ready for a split apperitif between Alegriko & Elpida's but the day started with a walk-in breakfast at the Nireus - that has been a good find this visit - excellent value.

We then headed to the Post Office and despatched our clock (we will put a photo up when it arrives in Wales). D chose it as he thinks it will compliment his growing collection of Symi houses - in fact he couldn't resist a small windmill when buying the clock.

We then bumped into Anastasia who many regular Olympic guests will know and wished her a good winter and told her of our plans for 2017. A frappe in Cafe Aiglios as Posseidon departed and then we headed back round to the apartment via Anna's shop where E had seen nice linen dresses at end of season prices- such good prices she bought two :o

We then went back to the apartment and said our farewells to Anna the hard working cleaner who visits our apartment every day and is meticulous in her work. We then crossed the road and took sunbeds on the building site / beach called Nos. Dimitri bought a brand new mini-digger which we saw delivered about a week ago. It was in pristine blue and a neat wee machine it is. However today him and his "Malakian" assistant :D (every other word was malaka, sorry - in fact the long-suffering guy is from Bangaladesh we were once told) started knocking hell out of the front of the digger with a sledge hammer - clearly the pristine condition is not attractive to Dimitri. He then went on to dig up beyond the far end of the beach with the occasional cloud of dust blowing across beachgoers. Never a dull moment when he is around.

We had a light lunch of tuna salad, grilled vegetables (mushroom, pepper, aubergine and courgette) with skadalia, and the meatballs.

The weather started to cloud over around lunchtime and a bit of a wind has got up but it is still warm.

This evening will be Tholos - table booked - and whilst E is decided on the shared grilled prawns followed by the chicken with almonds in an almond sauce, D is between lemon goat, goat liver or the beef in lemon sauce.

Maragarita has said she will take us round to the Blue Star at 07:30 tomorrow for the 08:15 sailing - the traffic at the Click Tower can become very congested. We are due to land Gatwick at 14:30 and are aiming for Cardiff by 19:30. A stay over and home via the Cattery to collect Greyam Thursday morning.

And another wonderful visit to Symi comes to an end - it seems each visit gets better and better. Reflecting on this visit we are particularly pleased that we rediscovered Posseidon and Ag.Marina and our indulgence in seafood will long be remembered. We only made it "up" twice and we regret not visiting Giorgio's and Zylygos but May did see us up there all but one night and September 2017 will be a Chorio visit.

So that's us. Thanks to all of you who have read our daily ramblings and for the comments and please, if you can, keep visiting and supporting this magical island that gives so much - Symi needs visitors - it is the island's life's blood.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby Eliza » 11 Oct 2016, 17:12

We have been spoilt these past weeks with wonderful blogs. I thank you all. Until next year cheers.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby Irene » 11 Oct 2016, 17:21

Can I add my thanks. I have really enjoyed my daily Symi fix. Safe journey home.
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby silverfox » 11 Oct 2016, 18:50

As ever another wonderful picture painted of your special time on Symi.

Enjoy your last meal at Tholos, one of our favourites, and a safe journey home!

So many thanks for sharing.

:)
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Re: Magical Margaritas

Postby Gemma1 » 12 Oct 2016, 06:59

Thank you for sharing your wonderful Symi holiday with us, I'm sorry it has come to an end as I've really enjoyed reading your blog :D I'm already beginning to wonder how I will survive without a visit to Symi next year and wondering if I can sneak a week in somehow ;)

Hope you have a safe journey home and I look forward to your return trip to Symi :D
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