Monday - Farewells
- View From The Balcony
There was no need for a bread run and after a long and energetic previous day it was nice to have a leisurely breakfast, watch the big Hellenic Seaways (now Blue Star) ferry call in past Symi, and then catch up with two days of the blog.
Having done all that we set off around 11am. A great deal of debate had gone on over the last couple of days about the all important last night dinner venue. The shortlist had come down to Tholos, Cavoz & La Vaporetta and we knew if we wanted Tholos we would have to book and this is what we did. Tradition, excellent cooking and venue won through.
We had our frappé in Comfy Chairs. E then had an ice cream from the coffee shop next door to Symi Tours to get her blood sugars up before tackling the Kali Strata. As we turned the first major corner, way up in the distance, Maria Herbs spotted us and started calling on us but our route was to drop down by the artist that is never open, go across, and catch the Lazy Steps coming out at what used to be the “Opera Bar”. We successfully completed the assent without a bagful of herbs.
We had decided to go up again because E had a dress that needed altering in some way and D, never one to turn down an ice cold beer in Yiannis (there could be a film title in there), was well up for it. So after having a couple of small beers with a very nice mezes we finally said our goodbyes and good winter to Yiannis and of course vowed to see him next year.
- Spot The Ice
- Yannis Mezes - The Healthy Option
E had misplaced her nice leather Takis phone cover when we were up on Saturday night so we checked at the kiosk where we caught the bus, who in turn suggested we check in Ringo Bar. Not since the days of us staying in Taxiarchis had we had a drink in Ringo so although the phone case couldn’t be found it was nice to have an ouzo & retsina and reminisce of the old days.
We then walked down the Lazy Steps but cut across and came down through the kiosk beside the Sebeco. We saw some delightful kittens on the way and hope they can survive. We were on our way to the apartment, tempted by the promise of home made dolmades for lunch that were being provided by our apartment owner. The long journey home
needed to be split with a stop for retsina in Katoi Cafe Bar.
We got back around 3pm and true to her word the warm dolmades appeared and wow - just wow. With some home made yoghurt these were exceptional - we may now be put off ever ordering dolmades in a restaurant again. The dry vine leaves filled with a moist herby rice with minced meat were just the best we have ever tasted. That with a glass of the retsina that Manolis had given us the night before, and with Greek music drifting up from Nos, lunch on our balcony looking out towards Nimos and Turkey beyond was simply idyllic - there is no other description.
- Homemade Dolmades - Delicious
After a snooze we got ready to head round to Elpida’s for our final evening of ouzo & retsina there as we are taking the 16:30 Dodekanisos Skiadeni to Rodos the following day, having a night in the Plaza Hotel and a leisurely day in Rodos on the Wednesday before our evening flight back to Luton where we will stay over and get the train to Aberystwyth on the Thursday.
As we were having our first drink C&L who D had given the crash intro to Symi a few mornings before stopped to say how much they have fallen in love with Symi and how they plan to return next year.
The first drink came with the usual salami, cucumber, tomato and salty cheese plus a plate of two small feta pies. Then some tandoori chicken arrived. With our second drink there were samosas with a curry filling and a small plate of delicious meatloaf - this was a new kid on the block. Our table at Tholos was for 9pm and as we made a move to pay, a complimentary round of drinks arrived with a small plate of chicken curry and another with more of the meatloaf. The sensible thing would have been just to take a nibble but the mezes is so damned good. We finally got to say our thanks to Elpida’s son for all the wonderful hospitality they have provided and we reached a busy Tholos at 9:30pm.
The first thing that we were called upon to do was take a photo of a couple who had just got engaged. Having had our fill of mezes we had the prawns to start which despite being the biggest we have ever encountered were very light. E had the sea bass again and D had the mussels - both delicious. Oh and of course a portion of lemon potatoes had to be squeezed in.
- Last Nights Dinner - The View From Tholos
- Tholos Prawns
- Tholos Sea Bass
We were next to a very lively table of local girls full of laughter which made our last night’s dinner even more enjoyable.
After the complimentary ice cream with a tahini topping we said our farewells and with a hint of sadness we headed up the slight incline under the stars for the last time this visit.
- Complimentary Ice Cream At Tholos