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.
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.
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.