Yamas Yialos

Archived trip reports

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 12 Oct 2019, 07:34

Well worth the visit but check out if they are closing after today or perhaps tomorrow.
:)
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Gemma1 » 12 Oct 2019, 08:47

Another great blog and sounds like a wonderful day catching up with people and eating more delicious food. I'm ashamed to say that I've never visited Odyssia so maybe it's somewhere I should try next year. 15 euros for a starter is definitely out of my budget but the chicken looks delicious and I often just have a main course when I'm dining solo - with a glass of wine as my starter ;).

I really appreciate how much time and effort you put into your blog. I take a notebook on holiday with me and make notes during the day and then usually type them up on the netbook late afternoon / early evening. Adding photos has always been a bit of a challenge for me and as most of my trip reports have been for Tripadvisor I have usually added them in afterwards but will try harder next year when I have a full 2 weeks on Symi for the first time since 2008 :D
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 13 Oct 2019, 08:09

Saturday and Tolis Sunset

DC6F205A-4058-4298-9066-6913501F9A11.jpeg
Close It Quietly

With provisions now in the fridge there was no excuse for D not to go on the bread run. So at 07:15 he set off down the steps and without any chance of him emulating the walking prowess of Silverfox made it to the Clocktower for a few moments of quiet contemplation watching the sun starting to firstly bathe Chorio and then Yialos in its warming glow.

BA0E67AA-F0FA-4133-8B02-1A0145C1A85C.jpeg
Gone Fishing

The shops a round the harbour were being swept, cleaned and the stock put out as they have each and every day of the season. Waves and kalimera’s give that feeling of welcome and of well being and another day gets going.

Before buying a still warm small bread with sesame seed crust from the baker by the bridge the Alpha Bank near Elpida’s was needed. This was a free service in June as we recall but now the ATM charged us €2.50 for a withdrawal from our preloaded CaxtonFx card. Will try the ATM beside the bridge next time and see what it does.

As we were “on the clock” E had already cut up some fruit and added the yoghurt and honey. This with coffee, bread, cheese and ham is the daily breakfast. Irini’s apartment takes us back in time as there is no kettle and water has to be boiled in a pan. On the subject of the apartment the big plus is the size of the room and the private balcony. The shower on the other hand struggles with both flow and heat and trying to soak or wash out clothes is proving tricky but all part of the charm. D has also commented on how he thinks the room has warmed up after the first night and that buying the aircon may be needed.

With beach bags packed we headed down to the seats beside Vasilis Taverna by the bridge leaving a trail of small bundles of cat crunchies for the numerous small families that we have seen.

Spot on 10am M, with her cousin, picked us up. Her cousin’s husband has decided to walk over and D gave a tiny shudder at the thought :-)

It was another beautiful day of clear blue skies and sun with an early morning temperature of around 27C as the 4x4 climbs out of Chorio and we take in all those amazing views. Never fails to be stunning.

A55130F0-A5D1-4B81-930A-8757EB0672E0.jpeg
Good Morning Tolis

We were the first to arrive in Tolis and had the choice of where to sit ourselves for the day. We chose sun beds (they are free of charge) beside a well matured eucalyptus tree which would afford us shade as the day progressed. Also we had been told that eucalyptus kept the mozzies away but no one appears to have told the Symi mozzies and as Silverfox says they are having an end of season gorge and are joined with small biting flies. D is a magnet - ouch.

We were having the morning frappe when our intrepid walker arrived looking like he had been for a stroll in the park - something for D to aspire to perhaps :-) After a couple of hours of swimming in the lovely warm water and lazing around it was time for lunch in Taverna Daphne. We had an excellent Mezes of considerable proportions that lasted and lasted. There was imam, Greek salad, tzaziki, courgette fritters, saganaki, garlic bread, spiced chicken with yoghurt & pita bread, saganaki prawns and tuna salad, washed down with retsina, and served in that wonderful location overlooking the bay. With lots of reminiscing in Greek, Austrian, Welsh and “Scottish” and so many laughs, lunches do not get better than this.

With lunch lasting well into the afternoon followed by a siesta it was well beyond 5pm before we thought about a frappe for the road and then the opportunity to stop above the bay and watch the magnificent sunset over Turkey.

64C6FDF1-A46B-4276-A5E2-9486B5C3C77C.jpeg
Sunset Tolis

07906AE4-693D-4471-9BCE-A0093FA14BC2.jpeg
Kali Nichta Tolis

We got back into Yialos around 7pm and we needed to change our booking for Tholos as it had been made before our invitation to go to Tolis. This was not a problem and from there we wandered back to the apartment, got changed and headed down to Cafe Alegrito. It had been a relatively abstemious day so after a couple of ouzo’s and retsina’s we were not that hungry so walked the 10 steps to Tou Gianni gyros grill where E had a grilled pork gyros and D had the lamb chops that had somehow entered his consciousness perhaps subliminally through a certain Silverfox’s blog :-) With a small bottle of retsina and a big water the “logariasmos” came to €24 - great value.

0E75D291-123A-4BE2-A9DB-872ABAE961A0.jpeg
Gyros Grill

Watching all the youngsters congregating on a Saturday night we reflected on the vibrant youth of this magical place and hope that they will prosper in the decades to come.

Once again we climbed our steps and although it was quite late, in our terms, we saw that our landlady’s door was open and so we decided to ask for the control for the aircon - alas with such a big room and quite an old unit the effectiveness is marginal but welcome.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Gemma1 » 13 Oct 2019, 08:58

Sounds like another wonderful day and I'm amazed that air conditioning is needed in mid October when I'm sitting here with the central heating on :o Keep enjoying that glorious Symi weather :)
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Jan » 13 Oct 2019, 11:26

If you can persuade a 'native' guide' to accompany you, do try the walk to Tolis, outbound at least. By far the worst part is the ascent of the concrete road out of the back of the square but after that the views make that first effort worthwhile. And the glow of self-satisfaction when you arrive justifies the first and possibly second beers.
User avatar
Jan
Senior Visitor
Senior Visitor
 
Posts: 238
Joined: 14 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 14 Oct 2019, 07:17

Sunday - The Day of Rest

Perhaps we took this biblical reference too literally :-)

The Symi Alarm Clock went off as usual.

97A4A793-F008-4778-8873-800C6EAB758B.jpeg
The Symi Alarm Clock

The first plan was to go on the Poseidon but then we noticed it was mainly a BBQ at St.Emelianos so we thought we would wait for the more usual “Round the Island” trip.

The next plan was to head for Pedi.

But before all that D couldn’t remember if the bakery by the bridge was open on a Sunday so once the first cacophony of bells calling folk to worship came to an end he set off down into Yialos to find out.

He did his usual and walked to the Clocktower and on the way encountered a very friendly duck which he christened Gemima.

D5B4CD34-5751-4B34-BE68-409D85606284.jpeg
Gemima

Then he noticed the Coastguard landing another inflatable with 6 young male refugees. After a stop for a chat with Takis, and a few Kalimera’s later, a small bread and a croissant were purchased for the grand sum of €2.

52FEF6E6-E25C-4A6D-BA8C-021D8968538F.jpeg
The 8am from Symi

By now the Poseidon was off the agenda so we had a leisurely breakfast watching over the super yachts leaving the harbour.

6C9D2F6F-6C79-416C-99AC-A6EE0BCB97B2.jpeg
The Daily Breakfast

The blog was completed and posted and the beach bag was packed ready for Pedi but as D was doing the breakfast dishes he wondered why the floor was so wet. A quick investigation showed that we were having a power cut and the freezer was thawing. As E needs to keep her insulin cool she nipped downstairs and found our landlady and between her and D spotting that a fuse had tripped all was sorted quite quickly.

We could not resist Comfy Chairs for our regular frappe stop and is often the way on a Sunday there were many Greek families meeting up and the place was buzzing.

We headed off to walk up the Kali Strata and E popped into one of her favourite shops to discover that it was closing this week, possibly for the last time, as the Italian girl who runs it is looking at other ventures - but there is still a week of opening and presumably a closing down sale.

As we walked up we came upon a very interesting sight - a “fight” between a cat and a snake. Worrying about the fate of both creatures we tried to tempt the cat away but it was having far too much fun.

EAB4305A-5F08-491D-B1C5-AFAE080CD10F.jpeg
Not So Much Cat And Mouse ....

So we continued up the Kali, shouted in to say hello to Jenine and Tina, and at the same time bumped into Noula and said a quick hello to her too before we spotted Yiannis encouraging us up the final few steps :-)

After the warmest of welcomes, too ice clad beers arrived with his “posh” Mezes of cheese & ham, cherry tomatoes & cucumber & olives. One beer led to two and then another Symi friend who now works in the Old Markets Hotel was passing and sat down and had a beer with us and we caught up with all his news. We could not resist one final small beer and by then had decided Pedi should wait and we returned to the port by the lazy steps. Just as we stood up to go L arrived but as we were heading for a Yialos lunch, we just missed the arrival of her better half Silverfox.

We came down into a very busy port where many Greek visitors had been to Panormitis and were now lunching and enjoying the numerous cafe bars. We grabbed a table in the Corner Cafe where we shared a very tasty cheese & ham omelette and a couple of ouzo’s and retsina’s. Before catching the ATM at the bank beside the bridge which also now applies a charge.

E went to get a ceramic house for our friend’s collection and could not resist looking in on the end of season sale in the harbour front clothes shop - a white bag appeared from there.

Then it was back to the apartment for a coffee and a short siesta and watching from the balcony as the sun started going down over the harbour.

545FDA28-3DC6-4F64-9AD3-6BDD2469F276.jpeg
Early Evening Yialos

We knew we were heading to our rearranged dinner date at Tholos so the ouzo & retsina stop was in Elpida’s where a very large charter yacht was mooring. The same salad mezes as our previous visit was accompanied this time by some grilled sardines. Our second round of drinks came with a small plate of beans gigantes which D agreed was just the right size for this potentially explosive foodstuff.

EC59D62F-8329-43CE-B38C-95B35A3C2C52.jpeg
Symi Arrival

We watched the moon rise over the windmills with the hills giving the impression of this happening at an amazing speed as the taverna started to fill up with locals for the music evening.

We walked towards Tholos and D spotted a dark pair of Haviannas with a boat pattern in the Duty Free Shop that he could not resist.

Tholos had a good crowd but there were plenty of tables available. We were given a seaside table and we are sure the grilled prawns were already written down before our order was taken - we are such creatures of habit. And so it was with the mains where D went for his favourite goats liver with thinly sliced raw onion and the amazing lemon potatoes and E went for the soutzoukakia this time with rice. Both dishes were up to their usual high standard. A complimentary sweet of yoghurt with a sweet jam ended dinner.

1861EE11-96F2-4861-95F7-5C9A40FB0E7B.jpeg
THE Prawns with Lemon Potatoes

B9E50ADE-45CB-4D74-99D2-7710CD3FBB21.jpeg
Soutzoukakia

3F24D404-2AD2-430F-95F8-20A7B2D919A4.jpeg
Goat Liver

We walked home, past a very busy Elpida’s, under a full moon and were asleep before 11pm after a very restful day.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 14 Oct 2019, 07:25

Jan wrote:If you can persuade a 'native' guide' to accompany you, do try the walk to Tolis, outbound at least. By far the worst part is the ascent of the concrete road out of the back of the square but after that the views make that first effort worthwhile. And the glow of self-satisfaction when you arrive justifies the first and possibly second beers.


We reckon that if D achieved this he would drink the Daphne Taverna dry :shock:
Maybe next year ;)
:D
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 14 Oct 2019, 07:27

Gemma1 wrote:Sounds like another wonderful day and I'm amazed that air conditioning is needed in mid October when I'm sitting here with the central heating on :o Keep enjoying that glorious Symi weather :)


Maybe it’s because D comes from the North East of Scotland but anything above almost freezing and he struggles to get to sleep :D
Thanks for all the kind words Gemma.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 14 Oct 2019, 07:31

rockbottom wrote:Really enjoying both your blogs D and E and Silverfox. We've been back two weeks now and we're missing the sunshine! We also stayed at Irene studios where we've stayed many times before. We were in the back building so not such a good view as we've had previously and we counted 95 steps up to our apartment but sadly we didn't lose a single pound in weight!! We also discovered that the landlady had employed a chap to carry cases up to the apartments but we didn't see him at all! No matter we've already booked for September 2020 to stay at Taxiarchis (not stayed there before). In the meantime we'll enjoy your blogs!


We think we could be tempted back to Taxiarchis where we first stayed on Symi all those many years ago. We love the different perspectives the different accommodation we have stayed in has given us and D is very tempted by a return to the “two centre” Pedi & Nos that we did last year - but it does need three weeks.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Gemma1 » 14 Oct 2019, 08:28

Another great read and I was wondering if you'd make it down to Pedi for a swim after one beer led to another - and then another ;) I hope the snake wasn't poisonous and the cat didn't lose to the snake - sorry but I can't find any sympathy for the snake.

Talking of Taxiarchis - I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there a few years ago, the accommodation is excellent and Frank is a great host but I am a creature of habit and do love the location of Anastasia which is ideal for a solo traveller being so handy for the village, the Kalistrata and even in the medicane I could make down the steps to Secret Garden for dinner ;)
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby silverfox » 14 Oct 2019, 21:05

What a superb blog you both do and you do so much for the island.

We spent a little time, mostly drunk in our case, with D&E tonight and we have to say what a great couple they are!

I'm now so behind in blogging and these two didn't help!

Love to you both!

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

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 15 Oct 2019, 08:42

Monday - Pedi At Last

There were still some bread stocks so D just rolled over.

When he got up he did his bite count :shock: Normally the plug-in, copious spraying of Jungle Formula before bed plus keeping the room cool with the aircon protects him. Alas the aircon is not that powerful. Anyway he got his own back on one of them -

C8ED4419-043C-4BC6-A50A-AAC3DA648DA8.jpeg
One Down Billions To Go

As the blog was being written two new guests arrived into the rooms in the other building behind us, accompanied by Nancy the Olympic Rep. Strange thing is that there is no sign of them last night or this morning and the place looks closed up again !

As the plan was to get to Pedi we knew we had to avoid the temptation of the ice cold beer in Yiannis. We of course did not pass Cafe Aiglios and had our morning frappe in the comfy chairs as the 11am taxi boat headed out towards Marathounda.

We decided to walk over to Pedi and as we walked along the harbour towards the inappropriately named “Lazy Steps” we bumped into Silverfox who had already done a marathon walk and was on his way to rendezvous with L in “Comfy Chairs”.

It was 30C again as we walked past the Village Hotel with a real feeling of belonging in the village as that is where we have spent most of our time on Symi over the years.

We then headed down a very quiet Pedi Road and landed in Katsaras Beach Bar for a much needed cold beer. The beach was like the old days with only one other couple on it at noon as we took to a sunbed, which by the way are €5 each.

942BAE37-5797-43A6-B09D-777BAEF89F5C.jpeg
We Opted For Beer Rather Than The Sham Pain

Then the 12:30 bus arrived and several families and other folk seemed to be attracted to our little piece of beach so it wasn’t until 15:30 that peace was restored and we had our final hour in the most perfect sun. The sea at Pedi was warm and so inviting.

3BDB70BD-9CAE-4907-B097-7258EBB03B5A.jpeg
Made Us Think Of Dinner

We caught the 16:30 bus back over to Yialos and after picking up some water and cat food from Taxas climbed our steps. We had decided to go UP for the first time of an evening but had still to decide between Zoë’s, Giorgios, or Scena that Silverfox had written about.

04B0A047-35E6-45A8-AF48-4B02ABF66A9C.jpeg
Evening Ferry

There were three taxis waiting at 06:45 so we jumped in one and it whisked us up to the Village Hotel with the early evening glow over the mountains making Symi look more magical than ever.

The familiar stroll past Sotiris Supermarket and around the corner to the Rainbow Bar where our usual seats were waiting for us. There was a table in full swing opposite us and two came over to join us and that long awaited Blog Conference finally took place :-)

As it did the other, or should we say the original, S&L came into Lefteris next door, on their way to the Open Mic Evening in the Secret Garden. Lovely to say hello and see them both looking so well and fit - Symi life is certainly suiting them.

The “Conference” taught us that it is not just in the walking game that we are out of our league as yet another round of drinks took us beyond our normal quota of ouzo & retsina. It was getting close to 10pm before S&L headed to Giorgios and us to Zoë’s. Nikos and Zoë welcomed us and we made quick work of the menu and chose to share the grilled prawns to start followed by hare stifado for D, and E had the chicken with cashew nuts.

The prawns with their marie-rose sauce were succulent and the hare meat just fell of the bone and was in that delicious tomato based sauce that makes Zoë’s stifado so good. The chicken was moist and came with delicious waxy potatoes. As the last in the restaurant and it being quite late for this time of year we had a quick catch up with family news and then set off down the Kali Strata towards home.

CA2FE4FA-BD34-401B-8474-7A48C80264D1.jpeg
Zoë’s Prawns

C8E9B25C-73BA-458E-B1C5-2815ABA17F26.jpeg
Hare Stifado

9062D874-15F1-45D6-9517-531767594FCB.jpeg
Chicken With Cashew Nuts

It was clear that any plans for the following day would have to be rethought ;)
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 15 Oct 2019, 08:48

silverfox wrote:What a superb blog you both do and you do so much for the island.

We spent a little time, mostly drunk in our case, with D&E tonight and we have to say what a great couple they are!

I'm now so behind in blogging and these two didn't help!

Love to you both!

:D

:X
It was great to spend some time with you both.
The bread run was a bit delayed this morning - still trying to fathom out why :o
Take care & see you around.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Jan » 15 Oct 2019, 17:49

D and E wrote:
Jan wrote:If you can persuade a 'native' guide' to accompany you, do try the walk to Tolis, outbound at least. By far the worst part is the ascent of the concrete road out of the back of the square but after that the views make that first effort worthwhile. And the glow of self-satisfaction when you arrive justifies the first and possibly second beers.


We reckon that if D achieved this he would drink the Daphne Taverna dry :shock:
Maybe next year ;)
:D


And your problem is?? ;) ;)
User avatar
Jan
Senior Visitor
Senior Visitor
 
Posts: 238
Joined: 14 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Gemma1 » 16 Oct 2019, 08:03

Sounds like a lovely day at Pedi - followed by an excellent dinner at Zoe's (my favourite place for stifado - though I've never had hare) and plenty of liquid refreshment in between ;)
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 16 Oct 2019, 08:36

Tuesday - A Quiet Day

After the previous evening D was a bit slow to get going.

When he opened the balcony doors the Vigla was shrouded in early morning mist but it looked as though the sun would burn that off quite quickly.

As he was running a bit late he just popped down to the baker at the bridge and came back directly, passing the fruit & veg van that was doing a roaring trade. This looks like it is a great source of news as the ladies & gents spend time chatting over the feeling and smelling of the considerable variety of goods on offer. Things are thrown into bags, weighed on a an old fashioned scales, money is exchanged and the chatter continues - there is no hurry.

On his return he checked on the little cat that has taken up residence in our door side balcony. It is one of about six that hang out around the apartments but it is the one that looks like it needs feeding up. He found that he had been beaten to it and that our neighbour, who we hardly see, has already put out some food in a saucer.

On his way to the bakery he made a dramatic discovery so after breakfast and the usual morning chores he took E to see his find and lo and behold -

D9AE9554-9E5D-46AC-903E-94554534C659.jpeg
The Much Needed Suitcase Ramp

If you take the third opening on the right, opposite and after the Opera House, you find that someone has built a suitcase friendly ramp which makes a considerable contribution to the route up to Irini. If only we had known.

As we were leaving the house we could see the Cypriot cruise liner - the Salamis Filoxenia - that regularly visits Symi during the summer. It takes up its position at the Clocktower and is quite an imposing sight.

F814234B-2D20-42DF-ABE6-5970C3D8CC58.jpeg
The Salamis Filoxenia

By the time we reached Cafe Aiglios we luckily got the last comfy chairs as clearly the influx of visitors from the cruise ship were out and about. We had our morning frappe and added a fresh orange juice to see if that would help E’s throat and the cold bug that she has caught. Apparently it is doing the rounds on Symi.

All the cafe bars that surround the harbour appeared to be busy even before the Panagia Skiadeni was forced to use the harbour side opposite the Clocktower due to the cruise liner being there.

FFCD0F78-6355-41E5-9E7E-09AD2D460EA8.jpeg
The Panagia Skiadeni

Poseidon had gone out for the day but it looked like only one of Irini & Luca’s taxi boats had gone out. We noticed that Manolis and Debbie’s shops just opposite Meraklis had not been open for a couple of days and so it appears that the island is starting to wind down.

E had some transactions to settle so we agreed to meet in the Stella Bar where D had his small beer chating to Vasilis and Panormitis as they tried their best to woo the day trippers in. It is so easy to sit there just watching the world go by and then with the activity of the St.Nikolas arriving a second beer was inevitable. Soon after this we felt the first drop of unexpected rain and before long we had a full on shower that lasted around 30 minutes.

We headed to Elpida’s where we shared an excellent cheese & ham omelette for lunch accompanied by the day’s mezes of lightly curried chicken and spetzofai. The weather had improved trade with several people taking shelter.

0E51797C-5BB0-4896-B470-586BF6020B1A.jpeg
D’s Tipple Of Choice On Symi

9496C6E9-4903-4012-B838-E9F81C7617A7.jpeg
Elpida’s Omelette & Mezes

Around 15:00 the sun was back out and we headed back to the apartment, via Taxas for some fruit and yoghurt. The next thing we knew it was around 18:00 and D went out onto the balcony under a very dark and dramatic sky over the harbour yet some blue skies over the Vigla. It could get stormy.

803DBB97-D107-4537-9B2C-7A7DD1D92F5F.jpeg
Fixing The Nets

One “clever” thing worthy of mention is the key to the apartment. It comes with the small card that ensures electricity isn’t wasted but normally such cards can be removed and then things can be charged when you are out in the evening. They are wise to this in Irini’s where the card and key are on a soldered key ring and neither can be parted.

We had not finally decided on the most important decision of the day so we sat down in a rather busy Alegrito. It is very noticeable how the ratio of tourist to local has now shifted. We slowly had a couple of ouzo & retsina’s watching the sky light up with a storm over Turkey and then headed to Haris Taverna - that’s the one between the taxi rank and To Spitiko.

11A053DE-DE5A-431C-9688-FA3C137905B9.jpeg
Taverna Haris Welcome Retsina

In our early years coming to Symi this was the Orange & Lemon bar where we recall there was a happy hour on cocktails where you could buy two for one of the most extravagant drinks with suggestive bananas, the obligatory umbrella, and lit sparklers sticking out of tall glasses. We regularly visited of an evening and often had a light lunch there. Over the years the bar turned into a fish restaurant and now a place with a much wider menu and for some reason that we cannot really put our finger on it fell off our “must go to” list.

We decided to rectify this and even though only one other table was occupied - it was 10pm and at this time of year ..... - we sat down. There was a lovely point of recognition from Haris after all these years and he went on to cook us a memorable dinner.

24BD624F-F8D1-4609-ACB4-A50FAFDCEEA6.jpeg
Toasted Garlic Bread With Parmesan

The menu has all the traditional favourites and a few interesting dishes involving pasta, cream and vodka. We decided to share what is described as shrimp saganaki but before doing so checked that these were in fact prawns and not a bowl of Symi shrimps in a saganaki sauce which would prove rather tricky to eat. What appeared was four good sized prawns that had been prepared perfectly for eating in a sauce. They had the head and tail left on but the main body had the shell removed and were slightly butterflied. This makes it far easier to eat especially when they are hot off the bbq. The saganaki sauce with some Symi shrimps through it was one of the best we have tasted.

The garlic bread with Parmesan on top was perfect for mopping up this superb sauce.

F2A75ABE-C888-41EB-A1D2-505F229B8E09.jpeg
Saganaki Prawns

E decided to have the set-price bream (there was other bream and fish on the menu) and for €13 a very generous sized fish came straight from the bbq with lovely real chips. D went for the lamb kleftiko which came with lemon potatoes that were the equal of anywhere else. The lamb was on the bone giving it a richness of flavour that was simply divine.

D1AEE75A-009F-4FCD-9E27-98EECB84110E.jpeg
Lamb Kleftiko

2341E76B-817B-4C94-A431-3BB735789672.jpeg
Bream

A complimentary sweet of yoghurt with fig jam followed and whilst we ate that we were shown pictures of the family who had just been born when we first started coming to Symi and the next generation who Papous was very proud off.

This is a very, very good restaurant and D’s next job is to do a Trip Advisor review. This place is so good it is now a candidate for “Last Night” although we have so far been successful in going to a different restaurant every night which was an unsaid aim of this holiday.

As we started to climb our steps a few drops of rain were felt and by the time we were safely home a full blown thunder and lightning storm was dancing over the Vigla followed by quite a stormy few hours. D just fell asleep.

CA09B687-9C68-43E1-8519-67BCD9EF552D.jpeg
The Storm Approaches
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 16 Oct 2019, 08:48

Gemma1 wrote:Sounds like a lovely day at Pedi - followed by an excellent dinner at Zoe's (my favourite place for stifado - though I've never had hare) and plenty of liquid refreshment in between ;)


Pedi has alway been one of our favourite places & staying there for a week last year was idyllic. May well be our aim for one of the 2020 visits. As for the liquid refreshments :shock:
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby D and E » 17 Oct 2019, 08:29

Wednesday - Shack Attack

E’s ears, nose & throat bug is still with her and so she was catching up with zzzz’s whilst D got on with the blog.

The storm from the previous night had left some clouds for Symi to think about but as D looked down into the harbour he could see that this had not deterred the day trippers from Rhodes who were assembling in the church yard for their history lessons. The day trippers are a vital source of income for Symi and we always hope that a few, having experienced this magical little island even for a day, will return and stay longer.

We had breakfast with juicy sweet pears from Taxas joining the yoghurt & honey and then spent the morning just doing the usual mundane things. The next thing we knew it is was gone 11am. Time on Symi just disappears so easily. D also thinks Symi has a shrinking affect on shirts and shorts :shock:

E said she was feeling up for a walk so we headed down our steps, took a left and then a right at Iapetos and headed up the steep hill. As we just about reached the top Captain Yannis with his wife slowed down in his car to say Kalimera and possibly to check on D who was sweating profusely :-) Alas the Poseidon has stopped for the season and so we will miss one of our favourite days out but there’s always next year.

2DE76C88-8E7E-4A24-BF7A-C3D3B6B7492C.jpeg
Captain Yannis Was In Another Car !

We stopped at the church high above Nimborios Bay and took in the glorious views that, no matter how many times we have been there, never cease to give us so much pleasure.

25C13D77-7B29-4553-B1E5-17A3ECB8729E.jpeg
An Everlasting View

We zigzagged down and were delighted to find the small shack just below the Niredes Hotel open.

5A6EA044-A8F1-4200-935A-E8F9269CE8E9.jpeg
The Shack

This is one of our favourite places on Symi. Such a peaceful setting looking out across the sea where we mixed beer with Fanta lemon and just chilled.

B3E45F08-D61B-46A1-9B47-F4AA499D168B.jpeg
The View From The Shack

From there we headed back by the coast road.

6B1567CD-D82B-4A6D-B8A8-A4E9EEB6F4FB.jpeg
Wrecked

192ABA48-81E9-4D6F-9FFB-FCF1FBBF6FB8.jpeg
Potted

041B0A67-A259-45A4-98B0-FDFEA819E4F6.jpeg
Guard Dog

Nos Beach was busy as was Tholos but having just read our friends blog we did not spot them. Manolis was power washing the frontage of Odyssia as it starts the process of packing up for the winter.

We landed in a busy Elpida’s where the salad mezes was accompanied by a small plate of lovely mussels saganaki. By now it was around 3pm and we had to decide between a siesta or a visit to Alegrito.

Alegrito won !

Dawn was chatting with Dimitris and we were soon joined by Faye from Tolis who is real character and had us all laughing. We only had a couple of drinks but somehow (possibly size related) they were quite powerful and after the short shower of rain it was soon 5pm and time to go home and get ready for the evening.

16A59C9C-61A9-48B1-A1D3-4BC992B3A832.jpeg
Symi Evening In October

We had our ouzo & retsina in Cafe Aiglios - just the one after the 3 to 5 “session”. We then went to Vasilis by the bridge which is a firm favourite. The bread came with three amazing dips and we followed that with a mezes of peppers stuffed with feta, keftedes that came with quality chips, the lightest of courgette fritters and just for a change :-) prawns saganaki.

33B91208-5D53-42C9-B3CC-1D2554565CA1.jpeg
Vasilis By The Bridge

We then made it back up the steps after one of those disappearing Symi days. Tomorrow may be a boat day.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Gemma1 » 17 Oct 2019, 08:48

D and E wrote:
Gemma1 wrote:Sounds like a lovely day at Pedi - followed by an excellent dinner at Zoe's (my favourite place for stifado - though I've never had hare) and plenty of liquid refreshment in between ;)


Pedi has alway been one of our favourite places & staying there for a week last year was idyllic. May well be our aim for one of the 2020 visits. As for the liquid refreshments :shock:


I'd be very happy to stay in Pedi as I love it down there and it is somewhere to consider if I ever travel to Symi independently as you are limited to the Pedi Beach Hotel with Olympic - which I'm sure is very nice but I prefer SC. I have seen several properties in Pedi that I'd be happy to stay in so maybe one day... For now at least it's only a short walk down the hill from Chorio and of course there is always the bus :)

Another lovely report and I'm very impressed by the luggage ramp up to the Irini - definitely worth reconsidering if a cheap week every pops up there ;)

I think Harris may have been the first taverna that I ever ate at on Symi as I remember eating in that area a couple of times. I haven't eaten there for years though. Another favourite from those early days was Catherinettes - before the gallery was there.

Glad you made it home before the rain got too heavy and hope that E's throat is feeling better today.
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Yamas Yialos

Postby Gemma1 » 17 Oct 2019, 08:56

Playing catch up here and when I read your latest blog at first I thought it said 'shark attack' :shock: Relieved to hear there weren't any sharks lurking by Nos beach and giggling at D thinking Symi has a shrinking affect on shirts and shorts :P

More stunning photos and sounds like another lovely day and I'm glad the rain stayed away :D
User avatar
Gemma1
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 835
Joined: 22 Jul 2009, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Next

Return to Trip Reports



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests

cron