Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 13 Jun 2019, 09:10

katy wrote:Ah thank you Mille and D & E, I just wondered if the proposed restaurant by the far bus stop at Pedi had happened.
We are really looking forward to our annual visit.


We think Lefteris of Zylygos fame had designs on that place that used to be a restaurant but he is still in his shop at the bottom of the Kali Strata.
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby katy » 13 Jun 2019, 10:14

Oh thanks for the information, it seems to have been a rumour for a year or two. There are plenty of places to keep us occupied :)
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Gemma1 » 13 Jun 2019, 17:20

Another great blog and love the photos of Tolis in June. One year I must go to Symi at the start of the season instead of the end. Your food sounds delicious as always and makes the several chicken gyros I've eaten this week seem boring in comparison :oops:
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 13 Jun 2019, 22:52

"it’s ice creams and Lakis Bus"

Now if Liz did the blog this would be a great title for ours which will start soon! :D

Love the Kali Strata pics, the best showing Georgios and the sea beyond.

I've been waiting, and hoping, for your take on the new Mythos but may ask a few on the island before deciding to take a plunge. Is Stavros now working for Manos or is he the owner?

You are packing a lot in to this trip and we are looking forward to you not running out of steam! :D
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 14 Jun 2019, 06:58

Thursday : Our Port Day

With back to back beach days out, as in out out, D’s itinerary provided for a later start to the day and an opportunity for some retail therapy should that be desired.

The bread walk and breakfast over the plan was to rendezvous in Cafe Aiglios which we did late morning for refreshments. It was then a day of each of us heading to wherever they wanted to go and rendezvousing at our usual watering holes - Corner Bar, Elpida’s and Cafe Alegrito.

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Morning Bread Walk

We fitted in a pitta giros lunch at the long established place next door to the herb stall opposite the Custom House. The guy who runs the place has relentlessly stood outside his little gyros “bar” trying to capture the passing trade for as long as we can remember. For €2.50 it is difficult to beat this delicacy in terms of taste and value for money.

Our final rendezvous was in Alegrito where purchases were compared with D coming a very poor third :-)

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D’s Only Purchase on E’s Finger

Then after some hilarious musical chairs in Alegrito,% as we tried to fit in the growing number of people meeting up with friends and relatives, the trusty taxi service took us up the hill and we were showered and changed and in Yannis by around 8pm.

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Another Fan Of Yannis Rainbow Bar

Having been down the night before and all day we had decided that we would bring Zoë’s forward by a night and so off we trotted. Thankfully the Taverna was not as packed as the previous week and so there was time to catch up on family news and enjoy a fine dinner of dolmades and beetroot to start. This was followed by bream cooked on the bbq for D and a very nice piece of fish this proved to be; G went for the chicken with cashew and as it came with rice had a portion of the real chips that are so good; and E had perfectly made moussaka. This was followed by a a sumptuous piece of semolina cake with fruit through it - very nice indeed.

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BBQ’d Silver Bream

BBQ’d Bream

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Dinner in Zoë’s

We had been given our returning orders earlier so we wandered home under the growing moon thinking that we only have two days left in this magical place.
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 14 Jun 2019, 13:50

We always try to have a giros pitta and as you say it's great value. The fish at Zoes' looks awesome!

Would love to hear what G thought after so many years missing Symi.

Enjoy the time you have left...we know you will! :)
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Lisa B » 14 Jun 2019, 19:37

Hi, what a feeling! Love reading about your days & nights on Symi, thank you for sharing with us and giving us little tips/ideas. Can I ask about bakeries, want to visit more than just the one this year. Happy Symi time to you :D
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 15 Jun 2019, 07:34

Friday : Our Marathounda Day

It was our last full day on Symi and as friends of G had mentioned that their favourite beach was Marathounda it was only right that this be built into the itinerary.

After the bread walk, where an anxious baker was desperately trying to connect his new 1000 litre water tank in time to capture the supply for the day, we had our final breakfast on the balcony. Over the years E has become an expert with the ham & cheese management that always sees the supplies run out on the penultimate day so regular readers will know where breakfast will be tomorrow.

We set off down the lazy steps and it was already 33C on the Pharmacy Display. Although the Irini and Loukas taxi boat to Marathounda doesn't go until 11am we decided to take the 10am boat to Nanou for a frappe stop and then Loukas picked us up at around 11:30. By the way it’s €14 for the trip to Marathounda.

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Nanou

We arrived in the beautiful bay and had a cooling beer in the Taverna before sorting ourselves out with free sun beds.

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Fanta & Fix Mix

There is a new small bar just along from the established Taverna that does just drinks and ice-creams and this is particularly handy as the Taverna does get busy. It was between 35 and 40C on the beach so after swimming in the perfect water we tried out the new bar which E described very aptly as shabby-chic.

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The New Bar

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Shabby Chic

Lunch in the Taverna was up to the usual high standard and the staff were rushed off their feet. We had Greek salad, keftedes, courgette fritters and excellent stuffed peppers. Another swim and hour in the beach and we needed to visit the new bar again before Loukas got us all back on board for the 4:45 return journey. Outside the bay there was a good wind blowing so regular blasts of spray added to the fun of the ride on his powerful boat.

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Marathounda Goats Of Course

A “rest” in Alegrito where we said farewell to Dawn’s mum & dad who are the most lovely couple and must be sick of the sight of us three as we always appear to be where they are :-)

We taxied up again and achieved our 100% attendance at Yiannis Ouzo, Retsina and G&T classes. We had decided for our last evening to have dinner in the amazing setting of Katsaras in Pedi. Not wanting to walk down and arrive all sweaty and dishevelled we thought we would get the bus but then there would be time for a second round in Yannis so, believe it or not, for the first time ever E phones for a taxi and the ever reliable Konstantinos picked us up from the Village Hotel and deposited at the door of Katsaras. This cannot become a regular occurrence as there are only so many X’s that D can have in his shirts size :-)

The restaurant was very busy so we sat and had a drink in the beach bar - what a stunning location.

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Location, Location, Location

We then had a waterside table and ordered Prawns Saganaki which D&E shared and G went for the meatballs. As often happens when things are busy a very sad looking plate of saganaki cheese arrived and had to be sent back before four good sized prawns in an excellent saganaki sauce arrived. The sauce was soon mopped up with the garlic pitta bread that we had ordered. G then went onto have pork schnitzel with the fabulous chips that Katsaras does. D had the seafood linguini served with four giant mussels and another two of those big prawns in a fine tomato sauce. E had ordered soutzakakia but this didn’t arrive which was just as well as the portions that we had were huge and even by sharing we three couldn’t finish everything. We were then given a pallet cleansing watermelon and just then along with the logariasmos came a chunk of very chocolate, chocolate cake and ice cream.

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Chocolate Cake & Ice Cream

We are used to service being a bit hit and miss especially when places are busy so we always take it in our stride and the Greek food at Katsaras is excellent - the location is just stunning. So a very fine last night.

We caught the 10:30 bus with only us, Lakis and the guy from the corner supermarket who had just locked up. The supermarket had provided some surplus food which we discovered Lakis uses to feed a dog that has been left alone half way up the Pedi Road. His long service and the hours he does on that bus has always made him a hero of ours but the compassion for the abandoned dog ...... well.

On that note we walked back from the Kiosk for the last time and concluded that our 10 nights had been full of laughs, fun, drinks and a lot of food. G says that it has been so simple to rekindle his love affair with Symi which essentially has changed little since his last visit.

We hit the sack quite early as the next day will be a long one in view of our flight times. Around 2am E was looking for her phone which she uses to monitor her blood sugars. Won’t explain how this works but the technology is amazing. No phone. Panic. D used the Find My Phone App which suggests it is somewhere up past the windmills ! Pointless doing anything at that time of night so we got more shuteye. D got up at 7 and checked the location again - no change. Before taking further action and it being of a reasonable time that anyone who may have found the phone could be expected to answer he sends the Ring Request that exists in the Find App and would you believe it - we here the tone. E’s phone had somehow got in between the mattress and the bed slats. Some technology like the Find App’s location finding is less amazing but hey - phew !!
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 15 Jun 2019, 20:05

So glad you found the phone!

We have so enjoyed you sharing your holiday on Symi with us. You have packed so much in with your visits to all the beaches and all that food! :shock:

You do really "sell" Symi to people and you are really helping the locals on the island.

One day we will meet on this rock and share a drink but until then we will try our best to share our times too!

Cheers to D&E... You inspired me to blog and still do!
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 16 Jun 2019, 17:12

Saturday & Sunday : Last Day On Symi / The Journey Home / Reflections

Waking up to pure blue skies and a fresher feel to the air we headed to the Olive Tree at 9am for our last breakfast with Jenine & Tina who, as ever, have looked after us so well. We said our farewells and headed back to the apartment and packed our cases ready for the afternoon pick-up.

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A Room With A View

We decided that after the stresses of packing we would have a final beer and say farewell to Yannis who has served us those ouzos, retsinas and G&Ts every evening of our stay. Then we went down the Kali to Cafe Aiglios, followed by a farewell to the lads in the Corner Bar and to Elpida’s where the mezes was a perfect lunch.

By then it was time to go back up and collect our bags but there was time for one last stop in Cafe Alegrito and say farewell to Dimitris and Dawn and yes ! who was there; Dawn’s mum & dad. So we had a farewell round of the most scrumptious strawberry daiquiris that anyone visiting this island must try and Dawn ordered us a taxi.

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Strawberry Daiquiris

We settled our Room Tax and the cost of D’s essential air-con and said a fond farewell to Anastasia before bumping the bags down to “the bins” and the 3:45 bus to the port with 13 other Olympic guests. By the time we reached the clock tower we just got our tickets from the Rep and boarded. Being a very sunny and warm Saturday there were a lot of day trippers on the Skiadeni.

We berthed in Akantia and were taken on a large coach to the Anixis Apartments where we had stopped the previous year. We had a drink and then decided to explore so crossed the main road and headed down towards the beach where we found Taverna Zorba which proved to be very good with an extensive & interesting Greek menu. We skipped starters (we hope this does not shock our readers too much) and went straight for a very good chicken souvlaki for E&G and a slow cooked lamb shank with a deep tomato based sauce / gravy that came with spaghetti. In view of the time we turned down the complimentary drink and headed back to the Anixis where a Birthday Party was in full flow with an open buffet and Karaoke. A quick change back into long trousers and fresh tops and the bus driver was waiting to take us the final short hop to Diagoras Airport which was buzzing when we arrived.

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A Good Sized Chicken Souvlaki

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Lamb Shank With Spaghetti

We saw a huge improvement at the check-in / bag drop where they now have the equipment to weight and tag and dispatch the bags - none of that double queuing and going through a separate x-ray machine any more. We then had a very speedy security experience, especially when compared with Manchester on the outward journey.

Night flights are clearly very “popular” and there was not a seat to be had in the departure lounges and the air-con is almost none existent as are calls for flights so it is a matter of regularly checking the boards and there aren’t many of those. But despite all of what appears to be chaos everyone gets boarded. Alas our TUI flight was once again late - almost exactly the same delay of 45 minutes that we experienced on the outward journey. We were bussed out so quickly the cleaners hadn’t left the aircraft and so we had to cook a while longer on the bus.

We were dreading the short night flight as we hadn’t done one in years but were totally surprised that we slept the entire journey and landed around 3:30 am Local Time. Fair play to TUI they kept the cabin lights low and this clearly helped. Being possibly the only flight landing in the middle of the night we found that Passport Control was a breeze and our bags were at hand on the carousel by the time we reached it. Out of the door of the airport and few minutes wait for a taxi and we were then checking into the Holiday Inn Express for a few hours kip, a shower, breakfast and then the shuttle bus to the station.

The trains ran to schedule with all connections made and we arrived back in Aberystwyth at 15:20, picked up the car and then picked up Zoë who was so pleased to see us. The holiday was finally over.

Reflecting on our 10 days we have to say that having an Itinerary did encourage us to do far more in a very short time that we have ever done before. We wanted to share with G many of the things that we have done over the many years we have visited and we succeeded. The Poseidon was as ever a highlight as was the trip to Marathounda. Tolis was splendid isolation for a day and St.Nicks and Ag.Marina proved perfect with their own particular charms.

Food was amazing wherever we went. From the lowly giros pitta to the delights of prawns saganaki at Katsaras and everything in between - Symi you can cook.

And of course the many friendly faces who welcome us regularly and made our friend G so equally welcome - Symi certainly understands hospitality.

Symi you are simply beautiful.

Till the next time.
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 16 Jun 2019, 17:25

Thanks to all those who read our daily blog of the visits we make to Symi and to all those who comment and encourage us to keep writing - even though we enjoy doing it, it means a lot to us.

Thanks also to those people who keep this website going. The various social media platforms provide many ways of commenting and promoting Symi and E who is a Facebook aficionado and an Instagram follower keeps D up to date with that source of info but this Symi Forum is so well suited to the kind of journal that we try and write and we would be lost without it.

And finally thanks to Symi that provides the backdrop and material for our ramblings.

(Now at 5:30 pm with the cases all unpacked and with the dark skies and the rain of a British Summer lashing the windows we need to start thinking about September / October :shock: )
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 16 Jun 2019, 17:33

silverfox wrote:So glad you found the phone!

We have so enjoyed you sharing your holiday on Symi with us. You have packed so much in with your visits to all the beaches and all that food! :shock:

You do really "sell" Symi to people and you are really helping the locals on the island.

One day we will meet on this rock and share a drink but until then we will try our best to share our times too!

Cheers to D&E... You inspired me to blog and still do!


You are very kind in what you say Silverfox.
It was good to meet several Symi “Virgins” over the last 10 days and just hope they will return and also pass the word on about this magical place that really needs people to stay on the island and supplement the day trippers.
I am sure our visits will coincide one day and that will be a date worthy of a blog ;)
So it’s now over to you our pen friend - we look forward to reading all about your days on Symi.
Have a great time.
We know you will.
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 16 Jun 2019, 17:46

One day...one day!

Many many thanks to you both for all the inspiring posts....i've already started the blog!

Keep the good times going!

:)
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 16 Jun 2019, 17:49

Lisa B wrote:Hi, what a feeling! Love reading about your days & nights on Symi, thank you for sharing with us and giving us little tips/ideas. Can I ask about bakeries, want to visit more than just the one this year. Happy Symi time to you :D


Hi LisaB,

Of course you can ask about bakeries.

When staying up our daily bread comes from the baker just up from Lefteris Cafeinion on the right hand side as you head to Zoë’s. He makes several different types of bread, all worthy of trying. He also has very nice pies with all the usual fillings.

Also when up there is a relatively new bakery where the Olive Tree used to be just next door to Sotiris Supermarket and they specialise in sweeter cakes - they are very good.

When staying down I tend to use the baker beside the bridge close to the Dolphin Pizza & Pasta for the daily bread. You can see the wood burning ovens in the shop and I have once been invited in to see them close up. They also do great pies.

The Panormitis bakery has opened a shop on The Square on the way from the harbour to Iapetos and as well as bread they do an array of sweet things. Had a tiramisu from there that was amazing.

For more sweet based baking then Patiserie Nickolas opposite the International Restaurant and opposite Mina’s clothes shop takes a lot of beating. We had a baclava filled with custard this last week - kept in the fridge it lasted several days - now that’s will power :D

And Zoë’s sister’s bakery round towards the Italian Restaurant at the bottom of the Kali Strata is well worthy of a visit.

That should keep you going :D
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Lisa B » 16 Jun 2019, 21:26

Blimey! Didn't realise there were so many, would it be wrong to try them all?! ;) We've only been to the one near the bridge. We're going to explore the village more this Sept and certainly try 'your bakery' as we call it. Thank you again for all your wonderful words, all part of so many people's Symi experience now I guess. Thank you x
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Gemma1 » 17 Jun 2019, 05:28

Phew, what a relief that you found the phone and it wasn't somewhere by the windmills!

Another great blog as usual. Thanks for all the hard work that goes into producing such a well written and interesting blog :D
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby rockbottom » 17 Jun 2019, 23:44

Really enjoyed your blog D and E. Don't want to wish the summer away but we're looking forward to returning again in September!
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 18 Jun 2019, 10:39

rockbottom wrote:Really enjoyed your blog D and E. Don't want to wish the summer away but we're looking forward to returning again in September!


Many thanks Rockbottom.
By the way it was all quiet on the Middle Room Up on this occasion ;)
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Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby rockbottom » 18 Jun 2019, 23:57

Glad to hear it!
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