Go fourth to Symi

[silverfox]

Thank you all for the kind messages regarding our beloved Blade...it was his time to go as the old guy had gone senile...him not me...or? mmmmm not so sure now!

We have been planning to visit Haritomeni each year but have never managed it yet so perhaps this year. There is always the problem of fitting all the places in that you like and trying the new...such a horrible problem!

Great report on Kalymnos Gemma. Thanks.

By the way I did manage to buy a couple of pairs of shorts that allow me to breathe easier!

[D and E]

So D & E you'd recommend Haritomeni?, I've put it on our list for Sept.

Hi Lisa,

Harotomeni isn’t a regular dinner venue for us but we have been there a handful of times over our many visits and our reviews have been mixed. We haven’t been for at least three years but my sister & brother-in-law visited last week and had fish which they said was excellent. They commented very positively on the service and of course the views down to the harbour are a given. So based on their comments we will give It another go in September / October.

[Lisa B]

That's great thanks, can you walk to it? I think we're staying on that side.

[D and E]

That's great thanks, can you walk to it? I think we're staying on that side.

It sits almost half way between Chorio and Yialos.

If staying up in Chorio then we head towards the Lazy Steps - so down the Kali Strata from Yannis Rainbow and where the steps take a 90 degree turn to the left go back on yourself and down past the school and turn right where the communal bins are on your right and keep going along that lane and from memory you will see a path heading down to the restaurant which will be below you on your left.

If staying down in Yialos then head up the main road towards where the new ferry port has been built and a short way up there is a turning on your right which takes you to the restaurant. It is walkable, all uphill, but a taxi from the port should only be a few euro. Easier to walk back downhill.

As we say it has been a while since we visited so there may be others on the forum who can provide a more detailed route especially from Chorio.

[Lisa B]

Thanks for that

[Pollychops]

Hi Silverfox, sorry to hear about Blade, great picture. Looking forward to reading your blog once you arrive later this week. Will you be doing any walks this time around as it will be good to see were you venture off to. I have been looking at walking to Toli beach however, not on the road but over the hills from Nimborio then down to Toli. I have found a track using Google maps and it looks possible. I also came across www.foxyislandwalks.com and they describe a similar walk so fingers crossed I can do it. It will be worthwhile as Dapnes Taverna awaits the brave at the other end. The easy way is to get the bus from Symi Tours. I am sure Kim will do this but I am keen to walk. Not long now so have a great holiday.

[Lisa B]

Pollychops, that link is great thanks. I'd love to do that walk to Toli but feel it may be a step too far! Probably the bus for us. When are you visiting Symi for a report back?

[Pollychops]

Hi Lisa B, there are some other good walks on the link which may be easier. I think my route will be a little bit difficult but by the looks of it only the latter part. We are not visiting Symi until the for week in September. We are usually June visitors however, we visited last year from the 30th August and found this time of year a little cooler but the water a little warmer so we have opted to visit then. Cant wait.

[Lisa B]

We're there second week Sept, we want to use the taxi boats but also try and get some walking in too. I will take a closer look at the walks and see what takes our fancy. On count down.....

[silverfox]

Thanks pollychops. I've fancied the walk to Toli each year but it will depend on the heat and i'm not as fit as last year so I'm not sure on the walks this year. Liz is not fit enough to do the walk so unless we could co-ordinate a bus we could not meet up for lunch.

As usual we will go with the good ideas and everything will change!

Anyway last minute jobs to sort and try to get some sleep as we fly in the morning.

[Andy W]

Be a bit careful with the foxyislandwalks site. The Symi section at least is out of date. To give an example, a lot of the walks from Chorio start from Lefteris Kafenion at the square. Fine so far. Then you're supposed to walk uphill, past the Old Pharmacy, until you reach the takeaway food shop on your left, then turn right up some steps by a supermarket. But the takeaway food shop closed last year, and the supermarket vanished without trace several years ago, it is now a toyshop of sorts. Worse, if the walker doesn't know this, they'll arrive in 100 metres or so at Zoe's Taverna on the left side of the road (who would probably do you a takeaway if you asked nicely) and the American Supermarket on the right, with steps leading up on the right just before the supermarket.....

[Pollychops]

Hi Andy, I thought it would be as some of the images on the walks looked old. My walk to Toli will start by walking round to Nimborio then over the hill via the old ruins and the walled garden. I think from there I will be following my nose to the top of the hills then hopefully I will see the small house towards the north and track that leads to Toli. I will be well prepared with water and sun protection just in case.

[silverfox]

Wednesday 20th June

The day started early, just after 3am, leaving just as the red glow in the sky emerged. We travelled the short distance to pick up our eldest son who was to be our taxi driver to the airport.

As we headed out once again lucky enough to see a young fox crossing the road ahead of us.

An easy trip across the Snake Pass to Manchester to find ourselves the first at the check in desk. This opened at 5am with another 30 mins to get through security.

Found a quite area to sit after purchasing a meal deal from Boots for on the flight. Flight left slightly early and after a good flight but cramped conditions and arrived in Rhodes 8 mins early. There was a slight confusiion with the Olympic rep on the transfer coach but nothing to worry about and after a slight delay we were on our way to the ferry.

We were expecting to be dropped at the taverna at the top of the port as in previous years but the driver insisted on taking us down to the new cafe in the port area. Having enjoyed previous visits to the taverna we made the walk back up with our cases and once again were not disappointed with the food. One very large greek salad, tsaziki, fried potatoes and toasted bread, 2 large Mythos one small Amstel all for 26 euro.

At around 5pm walked back down to the port to find the very big ferry already in dock. Collected tickets on seated on the ferry within a few minutes.

The ferry took approx 1 hour, not as impressive arriving in the new quay as it was docking at the clock tower. As sometimes is the case, I had a chaotic arrival on a greek island - I decided to try and video the arrival at the new dock whilst Liz went down to collect luggage and prepare to disembark. After taking as much video footage as i could i headed down the stairs on the ferry and noticed a weathered greek man and his wife just entering a lift. Thinking he knew what he was doing I joined them in the lift, as the doors closed he began to press every button and started to panic, he abviously thought the ferry was going to leave within him getting his car off. The lift kept stopping at differnt floors where he got more and more agitated as it was not the correct level. having told him to calm down I decided that I would make my own way down to find the exit. Having arrived at the luggage hold there was no sign of Liz or the cases and a nice young member of staff politely asked was I missing something, for which I replied yes my wife and cases. She smiled as I left the ferry to try and find were both were.

Quick trip up the hill in the minibus to be met by Manilos at the corner and led to our usual room. Quick change and down the lanes with the usual great welcome from Yannis and also Collette. Straight into Georgios were we ordered shrimp pasties, Beef in mataxa and mushrooms and fried potatoes, litre of house white which was very nice.

Followed by a night cap at Yannis Rainbow Bar where we met up with Jo and had one or two or even 3 ouzo nightcaps. A very tired walk up to Sevastis with no time to look at the stars.

So good to be back on this magical island.

[silverfox]

After the very long day and too many Ouzo's last night neither of us expected to be up around early but a good nights sleep with cooler temperatures than usual we were up and about at 7am and soon had everything unpacked and in it's place. The advantage of coming back to the same place and even the same room is that it's like your own apartment so you can settle so quickly.

A slow walk down to the square and then down a deserted Kali Strata we headed for the Aigialos Cafe Bar (soft seats) for a very nice Cafe Latte and watch the world go by....well into relax mode by now!

Liz had a slow wander round before sitting on a bench near the clock tower while I had a walk round to Nos Beach and already it sounds just like last years blog

We met back up in the extended Elpidas for a cooling orange juice and the on the house biscuits.

We decided we would do another night up top so a simple lunch of Giros Pitta and beers at the little place between the herb stall and the fish market. The cats fighting throught our stay! A cheap option at 8.80 euro.

Having never been in the duty free shop on the corner we thought we'd have a look. The price of the Metaxa and Ouzo in there is so cheap....is it just for people who are leaving the island or can anyone buy at those prices???

Having a relax we went back in front of Manos Fish Taverna to sit on the bench and take in the views and the sun and whilst there a couple who saw us on the ferry stopped to ask us advice on the bus back to Chorio. We gladly shared what little knowledge we have and as it turns out it was our fellow forum member Fina and her partner. So nice to meet you both!

A quick beer stop at Alegrito bar before Liz headed for the bus (yellow bus missing so one of the silver ones) and me enjoying my first, of many, walks up the road. I never tire of this walk with such superb views...please buy water before trying!

Meeting at the windmills we wandered down the road to find resurfacing going on so a quick detour through the lanes before reaching our favourite watering hole where Yianni was pouring the beer as we arrived.

Our usual catch up with a great welcome from Neil, Toby, Jo and so many faces we've met over the last few years and the banter was as enjoyable as ever! It does help to offer Walkers cheese & onion crisps to the "unfortunate locals" It does make their day!

A "few" beers later we headed up the lanes calling at the supermarket just up from Zoes for supplies and made our way up to Sevasti's with a very quick brush up before we headed further up the hill.

We decided to try the Kantina up on the hill with all the recycled furniture and as we were early the only ones there. The views are stunning down into Pedi and across to the windmills and they have a great set up. The food was OK but more fast food than Taverna standard with what we ordered. Chicken Souvlaki with chips with beer and coke cost 19 euro.

A slow walk down the hill back to Sevasti and on arrival another very friendly couple started chatting and again off the forum and was talking about the blogs and asked if I was Silverfox....D&E must get this all the time I'm sure.

Sorry I didn't get your names....I'm really crap at this!

They did mention how these blogs are so usefull, and enjoyable even to experienced visitors so all you people keep blogging!

A Metaxa or 2 whilst typing this up....what a pleasure.

Now what will tomorrow bring?

[D and E]

Hi Silverfox,

Glad to read you & Liz are “home” and have quickly settled into your Symi routines.

We are really looking forward to being “with you” on a virtual June trip through your top blog with those excellent pics.

Have fun - we know you will.

D&E

[Gemma1]

Great start and glad you managed to find Liz when you finally got off the ferry. I had a vision of you ending up back in Rhodes with the Greek man - still stuck in the lift

I might try walking up the road this year rather than walking up the Kalistrata and the Kantina is definitely on my list of places to visit, though I might be better going at lunch time as it gets dark so much earlier in late September.

Keep up the great reports, I've still got 3 months to wait

[Allan]

the Kantina is definitely on my list of places to visit, though I might be better going at lunch time as it gets dark so much earlier in late September.

Things could well have changed by September but at the present time the Kantina is only open from 6pm onwards so check before walking up there at lunch time!
It is worth visiting though, as Silverfox says. To see what they have built from the utter devastation of the November storm is impressive and I think they deserve support. I'll certainly be going back!

[Pollychops]

Hi Silverfox,

Great start to your blog and now looking forward to reading your adventures on this wonderful island. I got stuck in a lift once................three hours it took to get it back in operation. Now I take the stairs and dont care how many levels I have to walk.

[Lisa B]

So is the Kantina a cafe or restaurant or ? Still compliing a list of 'look out fors'

[Allan]

So is the Kantina a cafe or restaurant or ? Still compliing a list of 'look out fors'

It's more of a cafe Lisa. Think of the type of transport cafes you see at the side of the road serving tea from a caravan:

Limited menu, mostly fast food kind of stuff as Silverfox says but the staff are lovely, they are justifiably proud of what they have achieved and the view is tremendous: