Friday
The intense heat of the previous day has subsided at 08:30 and D is out on the balcony writing up the blog whilst E starts to pack. We are to be picked up from the bottom of the Secret Garden steps at 15:30 for the 16:30 sailing of the Panagia Skiadeni. We are then to be taken to the Sevastos Hotel which we are told is in Falaraki to then be picked up tomorrow at 11:45 for our 14:55 flight back to Manchester.
Weather Report at 09:00
Baro Pressure 994
Humidity 43%
Wind Speed 0.0 mph
Temp Shade 29 C
Temp Sun 34 C
We are more or less packed by 09:30 and head to The Olive Tree for breakfast. This is an excellent way to start the day and with a Pink Blush smoothie, the very best coffee, poached eggs on toast and D having some bacon we once again take in the stunning views from this excellent cafe / restaurant. We vow we must have lunch here in September.
We head back to the apartment to pick up bits and pieces and head down the school steps for a frappe in Cafe Aiglios and a small beer in the Corner Cafe. We then wander round towards the bus stop and as we have a bit of time on our hands stop for a drink and end up chatting with a couple of young day trippers who tell how blown away they are with the beauty of Symi. We get the 1pm bus up, finish packing and D takes the bags down the steps and leaves them outside the Secret Garden. We see Michelis and pop in and have a drink with him and Katia just before the Symi Tours bus picks us up at spot on 15:30. We are taken to the clock tower and our bags are taken on board the Skiadeni which gives us time for one last farewell to Elpida.
The boat is busy and 20 minutes out of Rhodes D decides he wants to stay in the town centre rather than out in Falaraki. A quick internet transaction and we get a good price for B&B at The Plaza through eBookers.com
D finds the Manchester couple that we been chatting to occasionally throughout our stay and they think he is crazy but will advise the Olympic Rep of our change in plans.
E does her racing start from the ferry and secures us a taxi and we are in a lovely air conditioned room overlooking the pool by 19:00. We have a drink in the bar whilst watching the first couple of sets of the Federer match at Wimbledon and then head towards the old town. We enter from the top end for a change and soon find Socratous Garden for a cocktail. On the way we spot a restaurant called Sissitio and check out a short but interesting menu and decide over our cocktail that we will give it a try.
We are not disappointed. Firstly we have to wait for a table in the lovely courtyard with its very atmospheric lighting and historic setting next to the minaret. This place isn't cheap and is on a par with a fine dining experience in the U.K. A nice variety of gins with selected tonics and good wines are available. We only have to wait about 15 minutes for a table. D has the most succulent of octopus, sous vide, and served on a bed of mashed broad beans which has the texture of velvet - a very fine dish indeed. E has the spinach in filo with a Cretan cream cheese dip which also hits the mark. D has been craving pasta so he has the penne with smoked salmon in a creamed vodka sauce and E has a beautifully roasted piece of pork tender loin. Both dishes were excellent but a bit over generous in terms of quantity. All in with aperitif, a couple of glasses of Merlot and Prosecco and tip we paid €80 and as we left around 11pm every table was taken.
We walked back to The Plaza in the buzz that is Rhodes on a Friday night.
(pics to follow)