Author Topic: Holiday Report May 2011  (Read 18978 times)

Offline Mike G

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Holiday Report May 2011
« Reply #15 on: June 13, 2011, 01:23:24 PM »
Quote from: boxerlover
An open letter to the Plakias authorities

"The joys of Plakias are being eroded by greedy commercialism. What was once a quaint Shangri-la of a village is turning ugly and one fears for it's future as a quiet escape option.

For instance, there is now, on the sea front, the architectural nightmare of a housing estate, so ghastly, that visitors call it Stalag 13.

This season there were no sun beds at the far end until the second week in June (normally in place the first week in May) while the new Mayor decided which highest bidder would be awarded the licence. The winner then installed 41 parasols to a regulation measurement space instruction, so tight that you can touch the naked body alongside you. - men a foot away from the nearest boobs, women face to face with men's essentials, smokers blowing clouds all around and everyone getting up at dawn to secure the outside units of bed-parasol to avoid claustrophobia.

It looks like a giant blue sardine tin with humans as fish - all in the name of 5 euros a throw.

Who is responsible for this disgusting obscene development? May God forgive him for his greed.

Tourists by the hundreds are making alternative arrangements for future holidays.

Assuming Boxerlover hasn't already done this, is one of the Plakias residents going to arrange for this well-reasoned letter to be sent to the relevant authorities?

Mike

Offline John Gloucester

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Holiday Report May 2011
« Reply #16 on: June 13, 2011, 08:49:48 PM »
ANOTHER OPEN LETTER TO PLAKIAS

My wife and I have been visiting Plakias every year for the past 16 years, this September will be our 17th, visit. If the sun bed situation at the Far End is still as described it will without doubt be our last. The Mayor and those responsible may think at the end of this season that the new arrangements made little or no difference to visitor numbers this year, the reason being that most of us have already booked, some of us reserve our accommodation for the following year before we depart.

The complaints will really start when people like us tell our hotel owner we are not booking for next year because of the sun bed fiasco. That will meand we will NOT require a hire car, we will NOT be eating in the restaurants, we will NOT be spending in the supermarkets and we will NOT be paying for SUN BEDS.

This letter may be one of only a few from people who bother to take the time and trouble to write and in my experience for everyone that writes many, many more people just whinge verbally and then vote with their feet and don't come back they book somewhere else for their holiday.

WE visitors can do very little to change the present situation, it is up to you the business community of Plakias to sort out the person or persons responsible for this situation before it has an adverse effect on your collective business






Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: boxerlover
An open letter to the Plakias authorities

"The joys of Plakias are being eroded by greedy commercialism. What was once a quaint Shangri-la of a village is turning ugly and one fears for it's future as a quiet escape option.

For instance, there is now, on the sea front, the architectural nightmare of a housing estate, so ghastly, that visitors call it Stalag 13.

This season there were no sun beds at the far end until the second week in June (normally in place the first week in May) while the new Mayor decided which highest bidder would be awarded the licence. The winner then installed 41 parasols to a regulation measurement space instruction, so tight that you can touch the naked body alongside you. - men a foot away from the nearest boobs, women face to face with men's essentials, smokers blowing clouds all around and everyone getting up at dawn to secure the outside units of bed-parasol to avoid claustrophobia.

It looks like a giant blue sardine tin with humans as fish - all in the name of 5 euros a throw.

Who is responsible for this disgusting obscene development? May God forgive him for his greed.

Tourists by the hundreds are making alternative arrangements for future holidays.

Assuming Boxerlover hasn't already done this, is one of the Plakias residents going to arrange for this well-reasoned letter to be sent to the relevant authorities?

Mike
« Last Edit: June 13, 2011, 09:08:41 PM by John Gloucester »

Offline George

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« Reply #17 on: June 14, 2011, 08:28:56 AM »
As much as I agree with Mike (16) and John (17) and probably several others on this subject, I personally don’t think that the layout/availability of ‘Sun beds’ is a major issue. OK, it’s an inconvenience and a change to the norm which humans dislike but I’m sure it will not restrict the Plakias veterans from returning on a regular basis as always.
We all go to Plakias for our own reasons and as much as I like to use the ‘Far End’ facilities I don’t believe that this minor problem is a reason for not returning to a place that we all fondly appreciate.
Plakias and the surrounding areas and the people of this incredible resort/ Island are the reason for our return each year and the fact that they have Sun beds on the beach or not, is relatively immaterial.

Rant over...  

george...  

Daisy

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Holiday Report May 2011
« Reply #18 on: June 14, 2011, 09:17:47 AM »
I agree with you George, there is much much more to Plakias than just a beach holiday, those of us that go year in year out feel they are going home!  Daisy

Offline George

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« Reply #19 on: June 14, 2011, 09:29:07 AM »
Quote from: Daisy
''more to Plakias than just a beach holiday, those of us that go year in year out feel they are going home!  Daisy''
Your comment has been and will be repeated again and again by so many others Daisy.  

george...

Offline Daniel

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« Reply #20 on: June 14, 2011, 09:55:15 AM »
George:

Your thoughts echo ours almost exactly.

We will not let the sunbed problem on a 100 yard stretch of a 2 mile long beach change our view of Plakias and we will continue to go back there twice a year for as long as we are able to do so.

Sure, the place is changing but nothing stays the same for ever.

When it changes so much that we no longer enjoy going, then we will have to find somewhere else to go.

But that time is not yet .

Offline George

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« Reply #21 on: June 14, 2011, 10:30:33 AM »
Thank you Daniel
This discussion arises regularly whenever there is the slightest change in the village.

There are numerous changes that I dislike, the road and 'pavement'  from the top of the hill for one (I thought this was an unnessary expense as the road was perfectly good before), obviously Stalag13 and the other development at the top of the hill to name just a few but it hasn't as far as I'm concerned detracted any of the atmosphere of Plakias.
 
The jet skis or any other powered pleasure crafts were banned by the Mayor some years ago so he/she (?) obviously still has sympathy with the tourists and their comfort and safety. So as far as moneytary gain if this is the reason for this sun bed fiasco, which is always a factor, I don't think the Mayor is doing a bad job and still has the visitor in mind.
Besides, Plakias would be a bit lost without us wouldn't it, and let's be honest us with it!?  

george...
« Last Edit: June 14, 2011, 10:49:44 AM by George »

Offline jann

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« Reply #22 on: June 14, 2011, 10:35:55 AM »
I'm in total agreement with George and Daisy,

Plakias is so much more than 'sunbeds'  there are plenty of other places in the world where people that want to can lie on a beach on a sunbed!!! to those complaining I don't think you will be missed  

 

Offline Mike G

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« Reply #23 on: June 14, 2011, 02:12:43 PM »
Quote from: jann
I'm in total agreement with George and Daisy,

Plakias is so much more than 'sunbeds'  there are plenty of other places in the world where people that want to can lie on a beach on a sunbed!!! to those complaining I don't think you will be missed  

 
Personally I don't use the sunbeds Boxerlover is referring to but whenever I have been at the far end plenty of people are using them. They are the only umbrellas in the "clothes optional" part of the beach so I do think it is a significant inconvenience for many.

Stalag 13 is an eyesore that risks altering the nature of the far end (look what happened at Damnoni) and was totally unnecessary as the Med has a massive over-provision of holiday accommodation as it is.

What Boxerlover has highlighted is the fact that the Plakias authorities seem intent on doing things to reduce the enjoyment of many of their visitors. They periodically ban tables in the evening being set on the promenade at the back of Mousses, Gorgona, etc.

Mike

Offline boxerlover

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« Reply #24 on: June 14, 2011, 02:49:48 PM »
Congratulations and many thanks to whomsoever has seen the necessity of restoring the far end beach parasols to their original decent distance apart today.

Whether it was tourist protests or just plain commonsence doesn't matter. It had to be done.

Those of you who wrote on the forum about there being more to Plakias than sun beds are quite right. But to me and many many more old people they are an essential requirement to enjoying Plakias when mobility is restricted.

John




Offline Susan K

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« Reply #25 on: June 14, 2011, 02:57:05 PM »
I have been going to Plakias for many years and yes, there have been changes, however, nothing that would prevent me from returning, unttil now. I love Plakias and the beach at the far end is a big part of my holiday. I work hard and want nothing more than to lay under an umbrella reading my book with a bit of sunbathing thrown in and lunch in the Paligremnos where we also stay. I don't want to be on top of everyone else and I know all the regular farenders will feel exactly as I do  

Offline Susan K

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« Reply #26 on: June 14, 2011, 03:00:22 PM »
Quote from: boxerlover
Congratulations and many thanks to whomsoever has seen the necessity of restoring the far end beach parasols to their original decent distance apart today.

Whether it was tourist protests or just plain commonsence doesn't matter. It had to be done.

Those of you who wrote on the forum about there being more to Plakias than sun beds are quite right. But to me and many many more old people they are an essential requirement to enjoying Plakias when mobility is restricted.

John

That's fantastic news John  


Offline George

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« Reply #27 on: June 14, 2011, 03:05:42 PM »
Quote from: boxerlover
Congratulations and many thanks to whomsoever has seen the necessity of restoring the far end beach parasols to their original decent distance apart today.

Whether it was tourist protests or just plain commonsence doesn't matter. It had to be done.

Those of you who wrote on the forum about there being more to Plakias than sun beds are quite right. But to me and many many more old people they are an essential requirement to enjoying Plakias when mobility is restricted.

John
Sounds like a result Guys!! WOOHOO!!!
Who ever decided to put them back the way they were this is for you. All together now... 'For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a...    

Panic over  

george...
« Last Edit: June 14, 2011, 03:07:22 PM by George »

Offline Barny

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« Reply #28 on: June 14, 2011, 03:31:31 PM »
Sunbed jokes anyone?

         Barny.
Fancy a Mythos?

Offline George

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« Reply #29 on: June 14, 2011, 03:37:36 PM »
Quote from: Barny
Sunbed jokes anyone?

         Barny.
I must admit to seeing a few Barny and mostly at the far end!    :'(

george...