MARAGARITA TIME
Days 1 - 3
It’s us again - we’re back. And if you don’t mind we will intrude on your time with our daily musings which some may find entertaining and informative whilst others might regard as a load of old twaddle
Whatever your view we enjoy sharing our love of this wee corner of the world that we found all those years ago and can’t resist returning to.
Saturday : The Journey Begins - Aberystwyth to Swansea
- Unlocked & Loaded
Having enjoyed the leisurely approach we took to getting to Sými in June we thought we would do it again. This time we set off for Swansea around 4pm having delivered Zoë safely to the cattery in the early morning before she could spot the cases being packed.
We had only decided to take the leisurely approach on the Friday so accommodation was limited. Swansea is a very lively city on a Saturday night as we were to find out !
We were able to book a Travelodge in the city centre and arrived there in heavy rain. Thankfully there was a council run multi-storey car park next door, but without a lift and there being no spaces on the ground level, the logistics of getting the overnight bags and our more substantial Sými cases to the hotel was a challenge but one we worked our way through.
We have a favourite Indian restaurant frequented by many an Asian family and it was as busy as expected for a Saturday night. Rasoi is on the waterfront and was a short walk from the hotel via a very convenient cocktail bar.
Perhaps it was the number of people in the restaurant around the time we had booked but whilst the food was very good it wasn’t its brilliant best on this occasion. But Rasoi when it is very good is good enough for us.
- Rasoi Starters
As it was bucketing down again it was a taxi ride back to the hotel.
Sunday : The Journey Continues - Swansea to Bristol Airport
When we woke the weather hadn’t relented and as we ate a very decent full Welsh breakfast two young bedraggled “Valley’s Girls” arrived in the breakfast area in their gladrags and carrying their shoes having experienced Swansea’s nightlife. When they said they had paid £140 for the night and had yet to benefit from the room we looked at each other with some rather vivid memories of long ago
D had thought the car park had auto number plate recognition but when he entered the reg number of “Nino” (our car) there was no charge. It was then a 10 minute call to the call centre to try and resolve this but they were unable to take retrospective payment but seemed happy enough with £2 for the Sunday all-day tariff. Somehow we think we may not have heard the last of this !
We drove along a very soggy M4 and decided to stop off at MacArthur Glen Outlet Village so we could add some kilos to our luggage.
As we got close to Newport the road signs informed us that the M4 was closed for roadworks and so we were diverted through the town with thousands of others and just accepted the time that this added to the journey.
- Newport Transporter Bridge
We hadn’t flown from Bristol in well over 10 years but with the aid of the Maps App that connects to Nino’s display the route around the outskirts of Bristol saw us arrive at the Silver Zone parking around 4pm.
- Bristol
A simple self-check-in to deposit the keys and we jumped onto the shuttle bendy-bus that dropped us at the Terminal Building where it is a 5 minute walk to the Hampton by Hilton. The only hotel actually on the airport.
Being relatively new the rooms are bright and spacious and the bar / restaurant is functional with a modest menu. The proximity to the airport is the big selling point and we discovered every room was taken when some people with cancelled flights tried to get a room.
- Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport
Monday : The Last Leg - Bristol to Sými
Seeing the number of flights around 6am on the departures board the previous evening we had decided to buy Fast-track online to ease our way through security and that was a hit and well worth the £12 for both of us. We breezed through and were through easyJet speedy boarding and in our seats 4A&B by just after 6am.
A full flight took off just after 6:30 and landed Rhodes bang on time.
- Breakfast Over The Alps
- Recognise That Rock Anywhere
By the time we had our passports stamped the luggage was on the carousel and then a taxi whisked us to our usual taverna opposite the entrance to Akandia.
After a light lunch we walked to the Blue Star and boarded for the 4pm sailing that was delayed due to the number of HGVs that were loading. We finally set sail around 4:24 and arrived Sými about an hour later. It was great to see S&L on board.
- Lunch
- Farewell Rodos
- Hello Symi
We were picked up at the new port area and taken round to the far side to Margarita’s apartments above Nos Beach where we last stayed in 2018. Yialos was busy and the harbour was full on both sides with yachts and a few super-yachts. We were greeted by Natassa who now runs Margaritas apartments and we were made very welcome.
- The View From Our Front Door
- And From Our Balcony
Having sat for most of the day we just dumped our bags and stretched our legs. We walked as far as the bridge at the end of the harbour saying our hellos as we went. On our way we stopped to reserve a table at Tholos and were very fortunate to be slotted in around 9:15 as the reservations book was full.
On the return we had a drink on the Nireus jetty as the sun disappeared behind us and we counted our blessings that once again we could be in this, our special place.
As we walked back we saw that Odyssia was doing a very good dinner service so that was good to see as they hadn’t been open in June.
Back to the apartment for a shower and a change of clothes and we then walked all of the 50 meters to Tholos. Having this as our nearest restaurant is simply superb. We were given a waterside table where the view of little old Sými having put on her sparkly evening dress was seducing everyone with her beauty.
- Sými Looking A Million Dollars
Of course we started with the grilled king prawns and decided to have them with garlic butter rather than the Mari Rose sauce - that can wait for next time. We followed that with very light meatballs that came with real chips and a pork dish cooked with ouzo and mushrooms that simply melted and that had to have a side portion of lemon potatoes - divine.
- Garlic Prawns
- Pork And Those Lemon Potatoes
After a large dish of complimentary watermelon we took the short stroll back to Margaritas and were sound asleep by 11pm.