Sublime Symi in September

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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby silverfox » 23 Sep 2017, 15:31

Mmmmm

Do we need to do late June AND September next year?

Your trip sounds so nice!
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby Allan » 23 Sep 2017, 16:04

silverfox wrote:Do we need to do late June AND September next year?

Is that a rhetorical question?
Just in case it isn't, the answer is YES of course! :D
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 23 Sep 2017, 21:45

We have found that the more we visit the more we discover about this magical place so take Allan's advice - he makes us look like newcomers :D

But perhaps try one visit up & one down. You may be amazed at the difference.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 24 Sep 2017, 07:05

Saturday

Weather Report at 09:00 - Anastasia’s Room 5 Balcony
Baro Pressure 1008
Humidity 30%
Wind Speed 6 mph
Temp Shade 22 C
Temp Sun 26 C

The sound of the wind gusting outside suggested to us that our plan to go to Agia Marina on Little George’s boat may be a bit foolhardy so we took our time over breakfast to see if the wind would clam down and as it hadn't by 11am we headed down to Yialos via the Lazy Steps.

Sea Dreams was docking as we came down the last slope but the manoeuvring wasn't as simple as usual with the wind blowing against the side of the ship as it tried to pull itself in with the ropes and winches.

Cafe Aiglios was very busy with a large Symi family using it as a meeting place and as more and more arrived the more the children squealed with delight and it was great to watch.

Poseidon had cancelled the Round The Island trip and Captain Yannis was having coffee in Pachos. He thought that the wind would peak Saturday night and things would be back to normal on Sunday which is what has been generally said since Thursday when we were at Tolis and the winds got up.

We therefore decided to walk to Nimborio by heading from the square up past Iapetos and over by the cemetery having our usual stop at the Church of St.George to take in that wonderful view of the bay. The wind was keen at the top of the hill but eased off as we came down and we had a beer stop at the shack below the Niredes Apartments.

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The View From the Church of St George


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E's Excellent Pic of The Church of St George


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The View From The Shack Beer Stop


We then headed around the corner and had a light lunch of Greek salad and the lightest, and beautifully seasoned moussaka, which was enhanced with the inclusion of star anise. The normally tranquil taverna was very busy but Panagiota and her new fiancé were coping well. She looked very happy when she showed us her engagement ring.

After lunch we walked to the far end of the beach and then headed back to Yialos via the road and as usual turned down the offer of taking “the train” back. We cut over by the church and came down by the Hanari boatyard and then cut up at Tza Ti and walked along the back lanes past the Dorian Hotel and then along the back of the shops dropping down and coming out just before Elpida's which was very busy. We had a beer stop at Stella Bar instead and watched the day trippers return firstly to the St.Nikolas and then to the Skiadeni and once again that lovely calmness of late afternoon materialised.

We walked round to catch the bus but as there was a taxi waiting we jumped in that and caught the supermarket before returning to the apartment to sit out and start this blog. The sun was shining over the Kastro at 17:45 and our washing was being whipped around by the winds which had picked up again. Getting close to Yannis time and the big decision of the day - where to eat tonight - we were thinking Apotholos in Pedi but the wind put us off.

Yannis was busy with so many regular visitors catching up and making plans for the evening. After our nightly ouzo and retsina we decided to head down to Vasilis Restaurant and on the way had another ouzo & retsina stop in Cafe Aiglios and take in the buzz of Yialos on a Saturday night.

We were rather worried that we had a “J&M Free Day” :-) but thankfully they appeared up the Kali Strata and wished us a good evening in passing :-)

It was also nice to have a chat with a couple of first time Symi Visitors who read the blog and made the climb to find the “hallowed” Rainbow Bar.

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From the Kali Strata


Vasilis had only one or two Greek families in but this lack of activity should put anyone off. We visit this restaurant only sporadically simply because of time limitations as really it should be a firm favourite as it has a very traditional feel and menu and the food is extremely good. We are always surprised we don't see more visitors dining there of an evening.

With our taste for dolmades being whetted by Zoe the previous evening we started with those. They were herbed well and came with a deliciously creamy yoghurt. Then we had imam which was as good as we have had. E then had the grilled liver which was cooked to perfection and D had his favourite - the reason for heading to this restaurant really - the lemon goat. This dish is made of potatoes, carrots, artichokes and courgettes in a lemony broth with good chucks of goat throughout. It reminds D of Welsh cawl. A complimentary custard tart ends a great dinner and we head for the 11pm bus which is much quieter compared to last week.

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Dolmades and Imam a la Vasilis


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Grilled Liver a la Vasilis


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Lemon Goat a la Vasilis


We went out onto the balcony to have our square of chocolate but didn't linger as the wind was still blowing.

Sunday morning and we have a gloriously blue Symi sky and only a light breeze - what will we do
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby Pollychops » 24 Sep 2017, 08:37

Good morning D and E, what a nice way to start our Sunday morning reading through your post. The lemon goat looks fab, did it taste as good as it looked, like the idea of the broth and it would be ideal back home as an Autumn dish. Hope the wind dies down for the rest of your holiday.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby Lisa B » 24 Sep 2017, 08:57

Hi there, been reading your blog since joining. You've already become part of our day and we've just realised you need to stay til Sept '18 so we can have our daily fix!
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 24 Sep 2017, 13:25

Pollychops wrote:Good morning D and E, what a nice way to start our Sunday morning reading through your post. The lemon goat looks fab, did it taste as good as it looked, like the idea of the broth and it would be ideal back home as an Autumn dish. Hope the wind dies down for the rest of your holiday.


It sure was Pollychops.
Normal service has been resumed & this comes to you from windless St. Nicks which is busy, with a temperature of around 37C and a very good 4G service.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 24 Sep 2017, 13:27

Lisa B wrote:Hi there, been reading your blog since joining. You've already become part of our day and we've just realised you need to stay til Sept '18 so we can have our daily fix!


Sounds like a great Crowd Funding Project LisaB - to including paying for D's expanding shorts !!
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby JuliaB » 24 Sep 2017, 20:47

Promise we haven't been hiding but you seem to have had a J&M free Sunday!
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby Gemma1 » 25 Sep 2017, 06:05

More great reading :-) After a night in Chania I have moved on to Hora Sfakion where I am very happy with my view overlooking the harbour and the beautiful blue sea. I will post a trip report in the off topic forum.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 25 Sep 2017, 10:20

JuliaB wrote:Promise we haven't been hiding but you seem to have had a J&M free Sunday!



Phew - good to hear from you : we were worried :-)
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 25 Sep 2017, 10:21

Gemma1 wrote:More great reading :-) After a night in Chania I have moved on to Hora Sfakion where I am very happy with my view overlooking the harbour and the beautiful blue sea. I will post a trip report in the off topic forum.


Look forward to reading about your adventures.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 25 Sep 2017, 10:32

Sunday

Weather Report at 15:30 - St. Nikolas Beach
Baro Pressure 1016
Humidity 30%
Wind Speed 0.1 mph
Temp Shade 30 C
Temp Sun 37 C

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A Friendly Symi Moth


As the wind had dropped we made our way down the Pedi road to take George’s taxi boat to St. Nikolas. George is still involved but it is his brother and his boat that now takes you to and from St. Nikolas & Ag. Marina.

We were hoping for the St. Nicks of old where we have most of the beach to ourselves but it is wasn't to be and once again it got very busy with each taxi boat depositing more and more people plus those who walked over. Seems the word is out about St.Nicks or the season is moving towards September / October or a combination of both. However it is good news for the Taverna owners as they had an excellent lunchtime service with every table taken and even some locals taking Greek salads across to the cafe area.

We had a Greek salad, a deliciously thin omelet with the thinnest of bacon, and grilled courgettes with a smooth and quite mild skodalia.

A regular visitor sat at the table next to us and we had a brief catch-up and then we met our Anastasia neighbours again - Rockbottom - so we exchanged recent experiences as you do.

We had an hour of sun and snoozing before it was time to catch the 4pm taxi boat back to Pedi. E indulged in an ice cream from the supermarket which helped with the walk back up the hill.

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Our Holiday Bears


We had been invited for our aperitif to A&A’s apartment so agreed to rendezvous at - of course -Yannis Rainbow Bar. We sat out on A&A’s balcony that you could hold a party on and were amazed at the panoramic view from the sun setting over the mountains of Turkey in the west, over Yialos, to Turkey in the east - a huge wow moment.

A&A produces a mezes as good as we have had and we spent a very pleasant couple of hours exchanging stories of our adventures. Thank’s ever so much both.

After a few very generous ouzos & retsinas at A&A’s we did not risk the Kali Strata and the convenience of Giorgios proved too tempting so we had the fried meatballs (keftedes style), the ever flavoursome green beans, the most tender chicken souvlaki and courgette fritters and then it was time for bed.

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The Bells
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby Robert » 25 Sep 2017, 17:24

What a lovely and informative blog - as usual. So sorry to hear of your sad loss.
Looking forward to hearing more - sadly I have lost my dining notes and can't remember what we did after the beach .... old age catching up - but more to do with island hopping after Syi and starting a new job when I got home.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 26 Sep 2017, 07:45

Robert wrote:What a lovely and informative blog - as usual. So sorry to hear of your sad loss.
Looking forward to hearing more - sadly I have lost my dining notes and can't remember what we did after the beach .... old age catching up - but more to do with island hopping after Syi and starting a new job when I got home.


Many thanks Robert.
Only a couple more blogs before we head home on Wednesday.
Good luck in the new job.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 26 Sep 2017, 07:53

Monday

Weather Report at 13:00 - Anastasia’s Apartments
Baro Pressure 1006
Humidity 30 %
Wind Speed 0 mph
Temp Shade 28.5 C
Temp Sun 33 C

We were extremely lazy and didn't head out for breakfast until around 10:45 when we went to a very busy Olive Tree to have our poached eggs on toast, coffee and a Morning Dew (juiced carrot, ginger, orange and lime). Our neighbours Rockbottom came in for a coffee and we had a chat including the sad subject of our leaving instructions which will be delivered sometime over the next two days.

We then went back to the apartment, picked up our stuff and made our way to Pedi via the walk that leaves the Pedi Road opposite the church just beyond the turning for Yialos and heads down through the small-holdings, past the sports ground, and comes into Pedi beyond Katsaras Taverna.

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Wildlife of the Pedi Valley


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The Flora of the Pedi Valley


We took a seat in the bar area and had a frappe and just watched the boats come and go including the Poseidon which had been doing its Pedi Beach Hotel charter.

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Poseidon Leaving Pedi Bay


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Pedi Bay


We were so comfortable sitting there that we then had a small beer and a retsina and shared a spinach pie that was as tasty as they come. We sat there until gone three before walking round to the small church where the little fish swim in the outside pool and then retraced our steps back to Anastasia’s for a read and a snooze.

With every intention of heading down into Yialos for dinner we made our way to Yannis. N&S were there and we shared our recent adventures before they headed to Giorgios. Then N&P came by and decided to sit beside us and give us their news. Comfort and convenience won over the walk down the Kali Strata so we simply headed to the ever reliable Zoe's.

We started with the No.1 prawns, 4 large succulent crustaceans, which are simply prepared on the BBQ and come with two very fine seafood dips and had this alongside those earthy dolmades that we like so much. For the first time in Zoe’s D had the lamb chops, again cooked on the BBQ, which came with tomatoes, onions, peppers and homemade, not frozen, chips. These were excellent. E also had a first time dish. The chicken in orange & lemon which really captured the zingy marinade. This came with those beautiful waxed potatoes. With a complimentary glass of white wine and some cinnamon cake we were the last customers and headed home to the 11pm bells after a wonderfully lazy day on Symi.

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Sun Going Down On Pedi
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby Lisa B » 26 Sep 2017, 10:48

Hi,
Only joined a week ago and cant believe how sad we are that you're going home. :( Seems the 'leaving holiday blues' are infectious........Have a safe journey home.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 26 Sep 2017, 15:53

Lisa B wrote:Hi,
Only joined a week ago and cant believe how sad we are that you're going home. :( Seems the 'leaving holiday blues' are infectious........Have a safe journey home.


Thanks for following the blog LisaB and for the very kind comments.

A big welcome to the forum.

Having just finished packing we are about to post today's happenings.
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby D and E » 26 Sep 2017, 16:01

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Adorable Symi Kittens


Tuesday (last day on Symi)

Weather Report at 08:30 - Anastasia’s Apartments
Baro Pressure 1006
Humidity 35 %
Wind Speed 0 mph
Temp Shade 28 C
Temp Sun 30 C

Having run out of provisions two days previously we once again had breakfast in the Olive Tree and then said our farewells and “Good Winters” to Janine & Tina.

Being our last day we had arranged to meet our Swedish friends O&L on Pedi and spend the day there with them so we walked down through “The Valley” route again and apart from one other couple we had Pedi Beach (Katsaras side) to ourselves for a while. We chatted with the cool sun bed guy, Abi, and he does look good in D’s Ray Ban Wayfarers -

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Abi The Cool Sun Bed Guy on Pedi


We sat out on the jetty and had our frappe until the 10:30 bus brought O&L over. D had what might be his last big draught Mythos this year with O and then we swam before having lunch in Katsaras.

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Preparing to go Fishing - Pedi


E couldn't resist the sensational spinach pie that they make. It is clear that this is made on a larger scale and then cut into serving pieces and it has a taste of all its own. L shared that and a very good tuna salad with E whilst O had a very generous piece of moussaka - too big to be honest. D finally had his spaghetti which again was a very generous portion. He had the Nepolitana which came with just the right amount of a very fine tomato sauce and as much Parmesan as you could want. D&O shared a half kilo of red wine while E&L shared a half kilo retsina and with water and toasted herby bread and a large water came to €64 with tip. The price is mentioned as we have not done lunch there for some time.

We lazed on the beach until around 4pm when we said our sad farewells to two people who have become very good friends of ours all due to Symi. We are already planning a UK visit for them again in 2018 and of course we will see them on Symi next year.

So we returned up “The Valley” to find our departure details - 7am at the bottom of The Secret Garden Steps for the 08:15 Blue Star Paros sailing. Alas we are then being bused from Akantia out to the Kassandra at Ixia which is less appealing than the International which has been our most common holding hotel over the years. We are all packed by 17:30 and are sitting out on the balcony taking in the rays from the sun starting to go behind the Kastro.

We will be heading to Yannis and then to Zoe’s where we are thinking about the grilled prawns to start and she mentioned a fresh fish soup being started today so that appeals to D whilst E is thinking beetroot with skodalia and the soutzoukakia.

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Prawns No.1 a la Zoe


As we normally do we will post a final part of the blog when we are home in Mid Wales mentioning any relevant travel issues and reflections of a wonderful stay on Symi despite the sadness over the loss of our Greyam.

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Yannis Rainbow Bar
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Re: Sublime Symi in September

Postby silverfox » 26 Sep 2017, 19:56

After a few really busy days at work reading your blog, as ever, is so welcome.

Your capacity for food is so impressive and must "sell" so many dishes on Symi.

Safe journey home!
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