Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Archived trip reports

Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 06 Jun 2019, 09:46

Tues / Weds : The Journey Over

So here we go once again setting off for paradise with the usual routine of getting Zoë, our little cat, into her holiday home first thing on Tuesday morning before rendezvousing with our old friend G who is returning to Symi for the first time since 2005.

G accompanied us on a few trips back then and has closely followed our regular visits over the years but he has never stayed in the village and so this will be a new experience for him.

We left our car at G’s and got a taxi for the short journey to the railway station where we had a farewell drink before catching the 11:30 to Manchester Airport via Shrewsbury and Manchester Piccadilly. The rail journey went past without any delays and the shuttle bus delivered us to a rainy Crowne Plaza Hotel around 4 o’clock.

Manchester Airport has introduced a system to assist people with Type 1 diabetes and E wanted to avail herself of this facility. So with doctor’s letter in hand we used the shuttle bus again and headed over to Terminal 2 where she was given a lanyard. We walked back under cover from Terminal 2 to the railway station stopping for a drink in the bar of the Raddison Blue Hotel on the way.

Back and a quick change and down for pre-dinner drinks before visiting one of our favourite restaurants that regular readers of our blog will know - Sampans. Starters of chicken satay (G), soft-shelled crab (E), and shrimp dim sum & a tempura prawn (D) were all up to the usual standard. The Thai coconut prawn curry (D), Massaman chicken curry (E) and crispy shredded beef (G) accompanied by coconut steamed rice and stir fried pak choi, all perfectly spiced, certainly hit the spot.

C6F6F1BC-2D9F-4B5F-936C-4169D12C0501.jpeg
Sampans

With the alarm clocks set for 4am it was off to bed and before we knew it we were up and waiting for the shuttle bus.

We were at Terminal 2 by 5am and were faced with the masses all bag dropping at the TUI desks. Having never seen queues quite like it we thought it would take ages but the very helpful airport staff noticed E’s lanyard and we were given priority treatment due to her condition. Security took a while as it always does but we noticed that our 7am flight departure was already showing a 45 minute delay. So we had time for a coffee and a wonder around before being called to the gate. We finally got into the air at 08:30 some 90 minutes late.

The flight on a full Boeing 767-300 was uneventful. We had not secured a window seat but the plane did have at-seat entertainment screens and of course D had downloaded a Netflix movie so he was quite happy between that and a large Tanquery G&T. The flight had many young children on board so the headphones came in handy. The TUI staff were very good and with two bar services, the shopping service and the scratch cards the time soon passed and we landed at just after 14:30 local time.

The arrivals hall is being refurbished plus with only two border staff checking the passports there was a bigger than usual queue but it only took 10 minutes to get to the bag carousel which, with such a big plane as the 767-300, took a bit of time to get going - time enough for the cold First Mythos from the vending machine.

Being late landing resulted in Olympic taking the 9 Symi guests in a very swish Mercedes minibus direct to Akandia and whilst the paraphernalia said we would be dropped at Mouragio Taverna the bus took us to the quayside where the ferry would be daparting from. However knowing how good the Taverna is we three walked back and had a drink and some appetisers - stuffed peppers, fried feta and tzatziki.

We then wandered back to the Blue Star Ticket Office and using the Olympic Welcome Letter obtained our tickets. We were aboard and on the top deck of the Nisos Chios by 6pm having a cold Hellenic lager watching the loading process.

9DDA1734-DF3D-443C-AA6A-819E8D94C87A.jpeg
From the Blue Star

A perfect crossing with the sun shining over glorious Symi and we docked around 8 pm where the usual hustle and bustle of the big ferry ensued. Nancy the Rep was waiting to meet us and we were whisked up the hill in the Symi Tours bus, dropped at “the bins”and as we know our way, walked through to be greeted by Anastasia and result - we are given Room 5 - our absolute favourite (and yours JuliaB if you are reading this).

So with no unpacking or faffing we were off to Yannis Rainbow before 9. With ouzo, retsina and Mythos for G, sitting at our usual table, it is so good to be “home”.

First night tradition is Giorgios and we sat at the first table in, looking out over the Olive Tree down to the port where a couple of superbly lit super yachts were anchored.

A light mezes of green beans, stuffed courgette flowers, grilled mushrooms, meatballs and of course the mouthwatering bourekakia with a jug of cold retsina and we end a perfect journey over. We walk back under the stars with a gentle cooling breeze and were out like lights just as the church bells strike midnight.
D39FB37E-EFAE-4FB2-B425-9001C94A1E8C.jpeg
Giorgios Mezes
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 06 Jun 2019, 22:56

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!

Just what some of us have been waiting for all year....that fix..knowing we will be walking the same paths, tasting the food and filling up all our senses.

The blog masters are at "home" and we all get to share!

Heaven!

:D :D :D
User avatar
silverfox
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 508
Joined: 02 Mar 2015, 08:10

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby JuliaB » 06 Jun 2019, 23:12

Our favourite room indeed! Have a wonderful time!
User avatar
JuliaB
Senior Visitor
Senior Visitor
 
Posts: 181
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Gemma1 » 07 Jun 2019, 06:46

What a brilliant start and room 5 is my favourite too :D . Not sure how I am going to survive without a trip to Symi this year but if I close my eyes I am almost there with you ;)
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 08 Jun 2019, 07:23

Thursday : The Shack Is Shut

D vowed that he would keep up his early morning walks that he does at home and so he was up at 7 and off down the Pedi Road under a perfectly blue Symi sky. George was busy cleaning his boat ready for the Daily back and forth to Agia Marina and St. Nikolaos and a number of yachts on the jetty were coming alive as D sat at a table outside the supermarket with a frappe, taking in the serenity of the wonderful Pedi Bay.

A5EB7576-929B-4996-85E5-A9F7622CF595.jpeg
Early Morning Pedi Bay

The church bells announcing a name day triggered the return walk up the road with a delivery of coffee & milk to G’s room which is just below - Room 3.

We used our usual lame excuse of having nothing in the fridge, even though we could have popped along to the supermarket at 8am, to take the short walk to the Olive Tree where the ever cheerful Jenine and Tina were busying away making their superb breakfasts. Sitting there looking out to sea, watching the boats come and go with fresh juices, perfectly cooked eggs that G added bacon to, drinking possibly the best coffee on Symi although that’s a hard choice, time melted away as D started the blog, photos were uploaded, airdropped and shared by any means possible.

The usual routine continued with a stop at Sotiris Supermarket to load up with breakfast material, water and other odds and sods that were required. After storing these in our rooms we decided to stick with D’s itinerary - YES !!! he decided that as we have G as a guest and with only 10 days we would attempt to have a plan - we will see how that goes.

6CB0C1B7-22A3-4CB9-96FC-257C6107578D.jpeg
D Explains The Itinerary

So this being a “Chill Day” we headed down the Lazy Steps into Yialos and the many Ti Kanis and welcomes from all our Symi friends. The temperature was around 30C which prompted a beer stop at the Corner Bar before visiting the Symi Tours Office where we booked a trip to Tolis - regular readers of the blog will be amazed at this forward planning.

We wandered around the back streets and around the square and by then the day boats had arrived. We then stopped at Elpida’s where the transformation of the inside of the Taverna is amazing. The ouzo, retsina and beer came with a lovely mezes of tuna salad, bread, olives, cucumber, tomato and spinach pie.

From there we walked around Hirrani, up to the church above Nos and then to the shack on the Nimborio Road but alas the shack was shut. So we returned to Yialos over the top road by the church, which was once again open, past all the small holdings and arrived at Cafe Alegrito for a well deserved Mythos.

9E3D7863-FB8A-4D21-8AB1-BF8FF6AAC30C.jpeg
E&G on the Shack Walk

Around 6pm the taxi rank was full so we took a taxi up, got changed and rendezvoused in the Secret Garden before Yannis Rainbow and then Zoë’s, that at around 9pm was completely full. Within seconds Nikos appeared with a table and three chairs and we were taken care of. Starters of tuna fish salad and dolmades followed by Symi lamb, beef stifado, and chicken with cashews was up to the usual very high standard. With such a busy service we had little time to chat to Zoë and it was past midnight before we set off for home after a day that everyone declared a success.

814BFD05-A4C1-4839-8EAC-154B80636428.jpeg
Zoë’s
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 08 Jun 2019, 12:59

What a great first day you have all had! (Don't think we could have such a long day with that sea air!) So good to see you doing what you do best....enjoying all Symi has to offer.

Is that a printed Itinerary? Now that is a plan! :D

Just wondering if D has his Fitbit? If so I may be shown up this summer as my back has gone and struggling to walk with less than 2 weeks to go!

Never mind the Itinerary should cheer me up as we walk your steps in our minds!

Great start to the blog as usual and looking forward to all your updates!
User avatar
silverfox
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 508
Joined: 02 Mar 2015, 08:10

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Gemma1 » 09 Jun 2019, 07:29

What a wonderful first day - though at first I misread and thought it was chilly day until I reread and noticed it was 30 degrees :oops: The food sounds delicious as always. Very happy that by tomorrow afternoon we should be on Syros, which is a new island for us, and should be eating some delicious Greek food of our own which will compensate somewhat ;)
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 10 Jun 2019, 06:43

Friday : St. Nikolaos Has Grown

The Itinerary said St.Nick’s so St.Nicks it was.

D started the day with a walk up the main road to where the bus turns and sat there looking out over a shimmering Pedi Bay as the local people started heading down into Yialos to start work. He then walked back via the baker and returned with a newly baked oven-hot bread to have with the yoghurt, fresh melon, cheese, ham and coffee on the balcony of Room 5 looking up at the picture perfect Vigla.

A couple of plumbing issues had to be explained to Anastasia as both our rooms needed small repairs and she undertook to organise that and Sotiris (Sam) came out to give us his special welcome.

It was then time to head down the Pedi Road and get the second sailing of the day on George’s boat to St.Nicks. George’s nephew greeted us as he is now collecting the €6 for the return journey. After putt-putting our way across the bay we found the beach quiet and there was no problem securing our favourite spot on the far side. It is strange not seeing the familiar sight of D&W from Wales on their usual sunbeds - maybe they will be there in September.

The sea proved perfect for swimming after which we had a frappe and a shared beer in the shack that has been refurbished and looks great. But when we headed for lunch we saw the most dramatic change with the Taverna doubling in size with a covered extension on the seaward side and a ramp entrance with a new sign asking guests to wear shorts and shirts when dining.

We ordered a Greek salad, chicken souvlaki and a whole grilled calamari which was perfect. After lunch there was a marked increase in temperature and after a short time on the beach we headed back on the 3pm boat. That temperature increase to around 35C was certainly felt as we walked back up the Pedi Road and up the steps to the apartment.

9D25F612-E37F-400A-8684-86C4834C4953.jpeg
Greek Salad In The Extended Taverna

4F8169E0-19BB-467E-840D-A50C4C770353.jpeg
Whole Grilled Calamari

Having decided to head down to Yialos for the evening we had an early start in Yiannis Rainbow bar at around 5pm and then walked down the Kali Strata to Cafe Aiglios where at around 7pm it was still pretty warm.

B82442FF-1908-47CA-A57F-2EBD49A76C21.jpeg
Three Go Down The Kali Strata

E&G decided to do a bit of shopping so D agreed to meet up in the Katoi Bar where he sat and had a chat with Yannis, continuing his education of Symi’s history. Another bar stop in Cafe Alegrito and then dinner in The Dolphin - Pizza & Pasta that we hadn’t been too for many years. E has been practicing her balancing of insulin with pizza and pasta at home so it was great to find that this restaurant had lost none of its charm and quality cooking. The Arabian pizza with its spicy bolognese base and yoghurt topping was as good as we remembered it. The spicy bacon penne and the linguini carbonara were stand out dishes and the prices have remained very reasonable.

F3A9351D-C461-404B-87F2-52DA3FE42EE4.jpeg
Carbonara

8B9564AE-EAAA-405E-9233-EACB6C5B679F.jpeg
Penne

B3B2DEAC-F3FC-4DA4-9490-6DDC866D9F2B.jpeg
Pizza

We set off to catch the last bus at 11pm but as there was a taxi waiting we jumped in that. Anastasia met us on our return to confirm the plumber had been and all was fixed. Everything was just fine on Symi
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 10 Jun 2019, 08:12

silverfox wrote:What a great first day you have all had! (Don't think we could have such a long day with that sea air!) So good to see you doing what you do best....enjoying all Symi has to offer.

Is that a printed Itinerary? Now that is a plan! :D

Just wondering if D has his Fitbit? If so I may be shown up this summer as my back has gone and struggling to walk with less than 2 weeks to go!

Never mind the Itinerary should cheer me up as we walk your steps in our minds!

Great start to the blog as usual and looking forward to all your updates!


Thank you all for your encouraging remarks & yes Silverfox it is a Printed Itinerary :D
Now the problem with that is it is all go & that has impacted the timing of the daily blog & so we must apologise for the delays.
However we are currently having Monday’s breakfast in the Olive Tree and taking the opportunity of catching up.
It is all going swimmingly - lots of swimmingly :D
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 10 Jun 2019, 08:35

Saturday : The Plan Changes :shock:

No surprise that the itinerary changed when we woke up to a temperature still in the mid 30’s. We had planned to walk over to Nimborio completing the journey beyond the shack but a democratic vote placed that on hold and we agreed that a more sedate village walk would be better.

D had already had a short stroll up by the windmills and had his moment of contemplation looking down on one of the greatest views there is. He returned via the bakery just up beyond Lefteris Cafenion.

32C19F47-4698-40F4-AD80-C6203290D25D.jpeg
What A View

After a leisurely breakfast we set off up the main road to the point where the bus turns for Sevasti and then walked through the network of lanes gaining height so we came out just below below the big church. Continuing through the labyrinth we finally came out at the top of the old steps / donkey steps and made our way along the road to Yannis for a much needed cold beer. There is nothing better than working up a thirst in the heat and then quenching it with a tall cold lager in a chilled glass.

76B6785F-64AB-4FB2-8850-DE661A86D2C8.jpeg
G with Pedi below

FE06C521-DA55-4C60-BEC2-67BB4FDC8BC2.jpeg
Village Walk

The plan for the following day was to go on the Round The Island with Capt. Yannis on the Poseidon so we walked down the Kali encountering Maria “Herbs” on the way. Refreshments in Cafe Aiglios (Comfy Chairs) was followed with each of us heading off for a walk - G returned with a hat, E with rather swish trousers and D had just wandered to the Clock Tower and the secured a seat in the very, very busy Stellar Bar where remarking on there being no Vasilis learned that he was in Rhodes due to his father being rather unwell and in hospital.

We watched the hordes return to the various day boats and that late afternoon serenity was savoured before we caught a taxi up.

We rendezvoused in the Secret Garden and then headed to Yannis Rainbow Bar. The plan had been to head down to Yialos and try the new Mythos Restaurant but with no let up in the temperature we took the lazy option and slipped next door to Giorgios where we had the green beans and the sweetest of imam as a shared starter and then G had the meatballs, E the papoujaksi and D the goat which he confirmed as melt in the mouth flavoursome.

We returned to our rooms and were sound asleep before the bells struck 12
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 10 Jun 2019, 08:42

Sunday : Poseidon - possibly the best day out in Symi

This would be a first for G so we were up and down in Cafe Aiglios by just after 9am where we had breakfast, after securing our favourite seats on the upper deck, but only when the canopy is up to provide much needed shade. The temperature was 30C at 9am so we knew it would be a hot one and being at sea proved to be the best place.

We set sail at the scheduled 10:30 and headed through the channel between Symi and Nimos where very welcome breezes were keeping us cool. There were maybe 30 people on board with only 4 people joining us on the upper deck - this was superb. Our friends S&L were on board and it was good to catch up on their news.

The first of our swimming stops was at Maroni Bay where the inviting sea was crystal clear. We then headed to the Seal Cave where without the sun the water was more “refreshing”. By now the ouzo, retsina, red & white wine and coffee were in full flow.

3D3CDDFB-D765-4C56-888A-D2F8EE40DCFE.jpeg
Seal Cave

We had a two hour stop for swimming and the bbq at Sasklia. As ever the perfectly cooked chicken was accompanied by beetroot salad, beans gigantes, rice, spaghetti in a tomato sauce, Greek salad, potato salad, tzatziki and green beans. Eating under the trees by the water with great company to chat with is one of the visit’s highlights.

F1C7FC43-3921-4768-9C9D-F2AF1A14D0BF.jpeg
BBQ

B6D989FD-10AC-4874-99A3-D93219272CD4.jpeg
Poseidon

We were back in Yialos by about 5pm and before heading back up had a quick Mythos in Alegrito watching the other boats return.

Although several ouzo and retsina had been had during the day we were determined to keep our 100% record going so a quick shower and change and were in a very busy Yannis around 7pm - the pace is relentless :-) The place was so busy that we were sat at the “local’s table”. Around 9 we once again took the easy option and went to a busy Giorgios where the imam and the green beans formed our shared starter and this was followed by D having spaghetti bolognese, he is after all a pasta-head, G having the papoujaksi which he had tasted for the first time the previous evening and E going for the glorious meatballs on tomato sauce.

A Poseidon day can be quite energetic so as we walked back to the apartments with the temperature hardly falling at all we decided that we would have a later start the next day and even agreed that an Olive Tree breakfast was deserved
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Gemma1 » 11 Jun 2019, 06:11

More wonderful reports :)
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 11 Jun 2019, 06:29

Monday : Our Pedi Day

A holiday on Symi wouldn’t feel right without a day on Pedi Beach. When we first came in the early 90’s that was our place of choice for many years and we can even recall holidays where we never went anywhere else during the day.

D’s Itinerary had scheduled this in as being the restful day after the exertions of the Poseidon adventure. An unscheduled Olive Tree Breakfast was hastily agreed the previous night. D did not stir until around 7:30 and because he was behind with the blog “sacrificed” his early morning walk - hero :-)

It was around 9:30 that we sauntered up to the Olive Tree and the temperature was still 30C+. The usual lovely breakfast was savoured and the backlog blog posted before we returned to the apartments to pick up our beach bags and some old bread to feed the wildlife on the walk down. We took the path through the smallholdings, past the football stadium and down into Pedi just beyond Katsaras.

A1DCC460-F5CD-46B2-A0BC-D345451A380B.jpeg
Olive Tree Coffee

It was a warm one and so beers in the Katsaras beach bar were essential before taking a sun bed for the rest of the day. This season they are charging €5 per bed but that does give you access to the very attentive Abi whose table service is second to none.

With the temperature holding at just over 30C all day the thought of walking up was dismissed by a unanimous vote and so we caught the 16:30 bus to the kiosk in Chorio and the short stroll back to the apartments.

4E460FDC-33AD-412F-8A4C-9E9596D881F7.jpeg
Bus Stop Pedi

We had decided to go down so we had Yiannis Rainbow Bar to ourselves at 6:30pm before we walked down the Kali and round to Elpida’s via the ATM and a browse in a couple of shops. The light in the harbour is stunning at this time and the perfect backdrop for ouzo, retsina and a G&T to savour the mouthwatering mezes that this Taverna is renowned for.

CC0DDCF7-1FDD-4AF2-A446-7ADD4BC5805D.jpeg
Early Evening Yialos

A final aperitif in Cafe Alegrito set us up for our regular visit to Trata which was as busy as ever. We followed a shared starter of imam and stuffed mushrooms with grilled liver with horta (D), chicken stuffed with cheese and wrapped in ham (G) and stuffed squid (E). And just as we were about to leave and catch the 11pm bus another miso kilo of retsina appeared courtesy of our waiter who we have known for years. So whilst we drank that we learned of his house that he is building at Tolis where we have booked to go the following day.

4BE8D07E-83EC-4CDB-A5AB-224A95216983.jpeg
Trata Dinner & Elpida’s Mezes

After paying the very reasonable bill for such quality food we hoped that there would be a taxi and yes - three waiting for us. The increased availability of taxis is certainly noticeable.

We walked the short distance from the Village Hotel and remarked on how there was a welcome drop in temperature. And so another wonderful day on Symi ended.

(Tuesday Morning 07:30 and that change in temperature to around 25C has seen humidity levels soar to 73% and clouds rolling in over the Vigla).
CB4F80AC-B0D0-4C37-AB31-05670F7B48D5.jpeg
Humidity Rolling In Over The Vigla
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby silverfox » 11 Jun 2019, 18:02

Awesome reports as usual with some great pictures!

You are certainly getting about a bit and sampling so much food, don't know how you can eat so much.

So looking forward to all the rest of your adventures.

Please don't complain about the weather....never stopped raining for days back here!

:D :D :D
User avatar
silverfox
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 508
Joined: 02 Mar 2015, 08:10

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 12 Jun 2019, 07:13

Tuesday : Our Tolis Day

Amazing though this may sound we had booked the Symi Tours Tuesday Trip To Tolis on Day 1 of our visit - we have never been this organised. So after D did his bread-walk and we had had our breakfast on the balcony we met a people carrier at the kiosk in Chorio and he was spot on 09:30. There were only 7 of us on the trip and this allowed the vehicle to take us all the way to the gates of Tolis. We had expected the excitement of the minibus and the trip down the final section of track in the 4x4.

The hazy clouds that we saw over the Vigla were taken care of by the sun and then replaced by more clouds. However the climate over in Tolis was much fresher with a welcome breeze that kept us cool. The temperature was around 25C and the sea was perfect for swimming. We were told that it had remained hot and humid in Chorio.

The Maria Boat was doing its tour and pulled into the bay for a swimming stop during the morning and then the taxi boat Eleni came in and moored in the bay. It seemed to be an organised event with a party of around 20 people being brought ashore in small motor boats so that must have been welcome lunch custom for the Taverna.

1E1D1285-892E-4F68-ACD8-7DD4856ED0FE.jpeg
Tolis Bay

We waited until we estimated that the Eleni party were getting ready to leave before sitting down to one of our favourite lunches on the island. Of course Daphne Salad was ordered along with courgette fritters that were as light as a feather; tzatziki that went brilliantly with the sumptuous butterflied and boned grilled chicken; herby meatballs a sumptuous complimentary baclava. All this in that perfect setting which was enhanced with the display of oleander in full bloom. This is the first time we have been to Tolis in June and so we have never seen the place looking so beautiful.

660F79FF-C733-4A61-A0CD-3A7F84237333.jpeg
Tolis In Full Bloom

The Symi Tours bus returned to pick us up not long after 5pm and with a stop en route to help a broken down 4x4 and squeeze the driver on board the already full people carrier we returned home and got ready for the evening.

Yannis Rainbow Bar was our first stop followed by Mojitos in Cafe Alegrito. G had declared the Dolphin’s linguini carbonara the best he had tasted so we returned there. On the way we had a chat with Capt. Yannis and met his charming young daughter. The Dolphin was doing a good trade in home delivered pizza possibly due to the European Qualifiers being on TV. With G on the carbonara, E went a bit off piste and ordered chicken caesar salad which was a substantial plateful. D went with penne but this time with chicken in a tomato sauce. D never stops remarking how well the pasta is cooked and G agrees.

12268294-8338-409D-9DA7-2490F1B463C1.jpeg
Mojitos Cafe Alegrito

Although our faith in taxi availability is now well founded we still have the tiny doubt that we could be faced with a late night climb so we still head for the last bus, currently at 11pm, and if there is a taxi that’s a bonus. By the way the bus is still €1.75 and a taxi to the Village is €4.

We are back in the apartments by just after 11pm after yet another wonderful day.

And the Itinerary is holding up well :-)
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby katy » 12 Jun 2019, 16:23

It all sounds wonderful as usual! Can I ask if you noticed any changes in Pedi this year?
katy
Super Visitor
Super Visitor
 
Posts: 65
Joined: 19 Dec 2017, 12:51

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby Mille » 12 Jun 2019, 16:37

Katy, I was in Pedi until Sunday 9th of June and the only thing I noticed was Tolis Taverna was not open yet.
Otherwise it looked the same as last year and the year before.
User avatar
Mille
Administrator
Administrator
 
Posts: 992
Joined: 05 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Denmark

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 13 Jun 2019, 06:19

katy wrote:It all sounds wonderful as usual! Can I ask if you noticed any changes in Pedi this year?


The small bar at Katsaras has had a bit of a make-over with a new awning to keep patrons cool. D took a walk along past Tolis Taverna yesterday and there was painting work going on so not long before it opens it seems. Alas probably not whilst we are here - their moussaka is to die for and not only us that think so. Talking to George’s (the boat) nephew yesterday - he now collects the money for the boat trips - he agreed.

But as Mille says Pedi remains what we regard as a constant haven of serenity.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby D and E » 13 Jun 2019, 08:07

Wednesday : Our Agia Marina Day

The plan was to have breakfast and head down into Yialos and get the taxi boat to Ag.Marina. D did the bread walk and a supermarket sweep to top up on some breakfast essentials and somewhere along the way lost some time so undeterred we simply headed down the Pedi Road and jumped onboard George’s boat that just beat the 10am Yialos boat by seconds - George had the inside line :-)

The temperature had dropped from being between 30 and 35 to between 25 and 30 but the humidity stayed relatively high. We got our sun beds (€3.50) and settled down. The water was lovely and whilst the regular arrival of the taxi boats deposited more and more people it wasn’t truly busy.

91B1E115-40D5-4F11-8928-22DB7682881B.jpeg
Agia Marina

We had a mid-morning beer stop in the beautifully manicured garden area and E took the opportunity of reserving one of the seaward tables for lunch.

A66DA977-D012-4D42-A72C-54A3D52CB714.jpeg
Beer Garden

A simple lunch of really good spaghetti with pesto for D&G with E having the almost tempura like fried baby calamari with ice cold retsina, and red wine for D, looking out over the small bay is always another favourite idyllic settings.

2F58DF7F-39EC-41A7-964D-CAD32ACF04D0.jpeg
Ag.Marina Lunch

Sleeping off lunch and before we knew it, it was time to pack up and return at 4pm. Whilst the speed of the Yialos boats is exhilarating the putt-putt across to St.Nicks and then back to Pedi has ageless charm.

54EE7042-4856-4BD8-82E8-99F5CED88A60.jpeg
The Boys On Holiday

As Silverfox has forensically concluded from our focus on food, by this time in the visit there is a bit more weight to carry up the Pedi Road and so reminding ourselves that this is a holiday and not some kind of fitness boot-camp it’s ice creams and Lakis Bus :-)

We had decided to visit the new Stavros at Mythos restaurant but every evening starts in Yannis Rainbow Bar. We then walked down the Kali Strata with the sun starting to go down and in doing so it creates wonderful colours and shades. We decided to push the boat out a bit and have a cocktail in Los - certainly couldn’t do that every night. A very charming Albanian waiter made polite conversation and through that we discovered that his ambition is to come and live in Swansea no less - sensible “boyo”.

2262F9C8-152F-4D2A-8AB3-B12C41CFB012.jpeg
We All Know This View

B826AC0A-8115-428D-990D-D06C8FD2A9C3.jpeg
Three Go Down The Kali Again

We were still a bit early for dinner so we had a final aperitif in a busy Elpida’s with yet another fantastic mezes before the short walk to Mythos which is now in the premises adjoining Manos Fish where Aris used to be. By now it was around 9:30 and there was only one other table occupied. They staff are using mobile devices to take orders and the menu is numbered to assist this - feels a little Chinese Carry-Out’ish but this appears to be progress. There is also some dishes written on a blackboard that runs along the front of a counter. The menu is extensive - perhaps too extensive - and several of the dishes that Stavros is famed for appeared to be missing or perhaps we just couldn’t spot them. Anyway we started with a 35, followed by a 55 .... Let’s start again. We started with a shared plate of vine leaves stuffed with rice - not described as dolmades - and this was due to the fact that four good sized vine leaves with a very flavoursome filling had been cooked almost dim-sum like. This was the kind of inventive twist that one would expect from Stavros - a very Greek tasting dish but quirky and very good. D then had the moussaka which was perfectly acceptable but not as stand-out as say Apostolis. E had what was described as beef stew which was stiffado that came in good sauce with nicely oven-cooked waxy potatoes but again Zoë does this dish better. G had the most disappointing of dishes which was a grilled chicken that came with chips, cauliflower and broccoli. The chicken was over cooked and dry to a point where the waiter had to be given the feedback. A complimentary piece of semolina cake and a glass of raki ended the meal.

E1266E5A-57E8-4382-B6A8-645383C3FEE3.jpeg
Elpida’s Mezes

4714C927-845D-4792-8CC7-5DAF9C7B4032.jpeg
Stavros at Mythos Dinner

Perhaps because we have experienced such highs on the few occasions that we have had Stavros’ food or the fact that he is such a well regarded chef but we were left rather disappointed. Clearly this new venture is finding its feet and it is early days so it must be given a chance and we hope that other Symi Visitors will give it a try and report back.

We walked around the harbour and with three taxis waiting Konstantinos nipped us up the hill in no time at all and so ended another superb day on the rock
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Three Go On Holiday In Chorio

Postby katy » 13 Jun 2019, 08:27

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.
katy
Super Visitor
Super Visitor
 
Posts: 65
Joined: 19 Dec 2017, 12:51

Next

Return to Trip Reports



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests

cron