Plakias Forums
Plakias => PlakChat => Topic started by: Susan K on March 03, 2009, 10:32:59 AM
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Just noticed that the first visitors to Plakias in 2009 have just popped up in events over the next 60 days calendar.
Bring it on
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Yes, indeed! Our next stay in Plakias comes closer. Accomodation, flights and taxi are arranged.
Now we are looking forward to our next holidays in Plakias.
Kerstin
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Yes, indeed! Our next stay in Plakias comes closer. Accomodation, flights and taxi are arranged.
Now we are looking forward to our next holidays in Plakias.
Kerstin
Me too Kerstin . 12 weeks to go. Hurrah !!!
Heather
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We've finally booked our flights and hotel, okay its not until September but i'm still excited
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We will be arriving there on 30 June, every thing booked, can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!
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Going 4 april to Plakias Panorama
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We're not out until 13th Sept. Reminder - anyone else arriving on that Sunday, we'd be keen to share the transfer cost to Plakias
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We'll be home by then, bugger!!!!!!!!!!
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We are going first three weeks in August
Anyone else there at that time, and willing to meet up for drinks?
Sharon
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We are going first three weeks in August
Anyone else there at that time, and willing to meet up for drinks?
Sharon
We are there from July 30th until August 14th.
We normally stay in the resort and you will probably catch us on the balcony at Ostraco's on most evenings.
Steve & Dawn
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Hi we willl be there 05.07.09 for two weeks. See you at the kastro
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Tomorrow we will leave Germany and our destination is: Plakias!
Bye for now!
Kerstin & Peter
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Have a great time - lucky you
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Have a great time - lucky you
Many thanks. ... 4 hours until our departure.
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Have a wonderful holiday
Tomorrow we will leave Germany and our destination is: Plakias!
Bye for now!
Kerstin & Peter
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Just noticed that the first visitors to Plakias in 2009 have just popped up in events over the next 60 days calendar.
Bring it on
Not quite the first - see http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?show...amp;#entry13024 (http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1398&st=0&p=13024&#entry13024)
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i'm going over on the 26th May as well, i'll be in the medousa in two weeks!!
whoopee!
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i'm going over on the 26th May as well, i'll be in the medousa in two weeks!!
whoopee!
I'm envious.
Say hello to Babis for me (us) and tell him that he will have to suppress my Raki when there in September. Just had a minor heart op (successful) but the ongoing medication says no no to anything like Raki. Sob Sob.
John R
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Hi John
Glad the op went well. Shame about the Raki but its not one I would be to sad to give up
As long as a bit of wine and Mythos were ok i'd be happy!
Cheers,
Paul
I'm envious.
Say hello to Babis for me (us) and tell him that he will have to suppress my Raki when there in September. Just had a minor heart op (successful) but the ongoing medication says no no to anything like Raki. Sob Sob.
John R
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I'm envious.
Say hello to Babis for me (us) and tell him that he will have to suppress my Raki when there in September. Just had a minor heart op (successful) but the ongoing medication says no no to anything like Raki. Sob Sob.
John R
John
what makes you think they'll be any raki left by that time?
i will certainly give him your regards, he (and Despina) sounded in top form as usual yesterday
look after yourself
chris
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and another thought
travelinggran, if you are reading this please come and say hello if you see ( or hear) me
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and another thought
travelinggran, if you are reading this please come and say hello if you see ( or hear) me
Harribobs,
I most certainly will. Where are you most likely to be ?
I will be staying with Dora this time. If the cost of a pushbike is not too steep this year I will be the batty old girl riding around on one again.
Usually I hide at Manoussos in the evening but do not go into the bars on my own.
Hope to see you there.
Heather.travellingran
ps. If I hear you ?? what on earth will you be doing.!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hi heather
i will be mostly at the medousa and will no doubt be tempted into the livicon for the odd g&t
if you are going to manoussos, you'll be walking past us, we're usually in the right corner, please don't be worried about coming over ( there's a photo of me on my profile) you'll be very welcome!
i'm afraid i have a reputation for being too noisy but i always try and blame that on John
chris
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hi heather
i will be mostly at the medousa and will no doubt be tempted into the livicon for the odd g&t
if you are going to manoussos, you'll be walking past us, we're usually in the right corner, please don't be worried about coming over ( there's a photo of me on my profile) you'll be very welcome!
i'm afraid i have a reputation for being too noisy but i always try and blame that on John
chris
Hi heather,
Thank you for your lovely e-mail sorry I didn't reply but the system seems to be disabled for a long time now. When are you there? I am there 20th to 26th May well actually leave Plakias on 27th early hours. If your there would love to meet up, also going on my own as just to sort some things really ith the apartment.
Rowena
Chris
What time do you arrive on the 26th?
Rowena
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hi rowena
arriving late, the flight gets in aound 8.00pm so probably 11pm i suspect in plakias i suspect
chris
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hi heather
i will be mostly at the medousa and will no doubt be tempted into the livicon for the odd g&t
if you are going to manoussos, you'll be walking past us, we're usually in the right corner, please don't be worried about coming over ( there's a photo of me on my profile) you'll be very welcome!
i'm afraid i have a reputation for being too noisy but i always try and blame that on John
chris
Hi heather,
Thank you for your lovely e-mail sorry I didn't reply but the system seems to be disabled for a long time now. When are you there? I am there 20th to 26th May well actually leave Plakias on 27th early hours. If your there would love to meet up, also going on my own as just to sort some things really ith the apartment.
Rowena
Chris
What time do you arrive on the 26th?
Rowena
Hi Rowena,
Due to the XL pantomime last year I am unable to fly from Bristol as usual and to get the dates I wanted means my having to trail all the way to Gatwick overnight . So a slightly later flight means Heraklion at 14.50. (Monarch, so I daresay there will be a delay somewhere ). Should be in Plakias early evening .You say where and when around 6 or 7pm if you have time and I will meet you there.
Days to do now !!
I will PM my mobile phone number to you just in case.
Heather.
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I will PM my mobile phone number to you just in case.
Heather.
pm's aren't working but email is i think, send it that way
chris
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hi rowena
arriving late, the flight gets in aound 8.00pm so probably 11pm i suspect in plakias i suspect
chris
Thats a shame will probably miss you but I'm sure will be in the Livicon if you fancy an arrival drink!! I leave Plakias around 1.30am lovely night flights!
Rowena
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thanks Rowena
i'll certainly take you up on it if flight delays etc allow, have a great time anyway ( even if you are just doing up the apartment!)
chris
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I will PM my mobile phone number to you just in case.
Heather.
pm's aren't working but email is i think, send it that way
chris
Thankyou Chris , I have now done that.
Heather.
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i'm going over on the 26th May as well, i'll be in the medousa in two weeks!!
whoopee!
You won't be making it to Rome then, Chris?
Have a great time.
Mike
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You won't be making it to Rome then, Chris?
Have a great time.
Mike
hi mike
no i'm afraid not, i'll probably watch it in the nufero
chris
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You won't be making it to Rome then, Chris?
Have a great time.
Mike
hi mike
no i'm afraid not, i'll probably watch it in the nufero
chris
I wish you luck.
We are off to Fuerteventura. I won't be watching any footy there, but it is rare for Brentford to get onto satellite anyway! I'll just have to be content with the D2 Championship.
Mike
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I wish you luck.
We are off to Fuerteventura. I won't be watching any footy there, but it is rare for Brentford to get onto satellite anyway! I'll just have to be content with the D2 Championship.
Mike
Ooooh Brentford my local team (but not MY team), haven't been to the ground but have been to the Griffin pub next to it. Congrats on winning the division.
Not going to say who my team is because Chris will taunt me :-)
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We are back from Plakias and we enjoyed our holiday.
Unfortunately, today in the morning we had to say: Bye-bye.
The weather was beautiful. At the beginning of our holiday we had one day with a bit rain and during the last days we had no clouds,
no wind and the sea was very nice.
It was very nice to go back to Plakias very early in the new season. Every day new changes happened, for instance cleaning the beach,
the sunbeds/umbrellas came back to the beach, the surroundings on the beach were cleaned, the grass was cut and so on.
We had so much impressions, staying with our friends, making new friends, the friendly people in Plakias (wherever we were)...
Bye for now!
Kerstin and Peter
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kerstin
it's very hard to come home after having such a good time there, but the good news is i'm going out soon!
tell us all about what you got up to and post some pictures!
chris
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kerstin
it's very hard to come home after having such a good time there, but the good news is i'm going out soon!
tell us all about what you got up to and post some pictures!
chris
Yes, is was very hard to leave Plakias and unfortunately, tomorrow I have to go working...
Kerstin
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kerstin
it's very hard to come home after having such a good time there, but the good news is i'm going out soon!
tell us all about what you got up to and post some pictures!
chris
What can I tell you?
At first I tried to post some pictures but at the moment I have enough problems with my computer. I cannot use Firefox
and I was unable to reduce the size of pictures.
Really, we had a nice time. During our first week in Plakias it was very quiet and we nearly were alone on the beach,
maybe 4 or 6 couple spent their time at the Far End. Freddy was very busy and on our 2nd day on the beach we could use the sunbeds.
Sometimes the wind was very strong and cold but we never had a problem with it. Unfortunately, during the first week the sea was very
cold. I estimate 16 or 17 degrees but from day to day it was getting warmer.
Concerning the "Worrying development"... at the moment all works are stopped. We have never seen any construction worker or
machines. We have heard, the investor cannot sell the apartments or villas. Maybe due to commercial or market crisis.
Nobody invests money.
I believe the owners of the tavernas, bars, apartments, studios and so on are not sure about the new season. They do not know
what they can expect from the next months. How many guests will travel to Crete especially to Plakias?
We had no problems with the prices in the tavernas or in the supermarkets. We could not see an increase opposite to the last year.
The problem is the exchange rate Euro/Pound. During our stay in Plakias every evening we saw the exchange rate and
it was 1 Pound to 1,10 - 1,12 Euro. I know it is bad for you.
Now, enough for today.
Kerstin
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kerstin
it's very hard to come home after having such a good time there, but the good news is i'm going out soon!
tell us all about what you got up to and post some pictures!
chris
What can I tell you?
At first I tried to post some pictures but at the moment I have enough problems with my computer. I cannot use Firefox
and I was unable to reduce the size of pictures.
Really, we had a nice time. During our first week in Plakias it was very quiet and we nearly were alone on the beach,
maybe 4 or 6 couple spent their time at the Far End. Freddy was very busy and on our 2nd day on the beach we could use the sunbeds.
Sometimes the wind was very strong and cold but we never had a problem with it. Unfortunately, during the first week the sea was very
cold. I estimate 16 or 17 degrees but from day to day it was getting warmer.
Concerning the "Worrying development"... at the moment all works are stopped. We have never seen any construction worker or
machines. We have heard, the investor cannot sell the apartments or villas. Maybe due to commercial or market crisis.
Nobody invests money.
I believe the owners of the tavernas, bars, apartments, studios and so on are not sure about the new season. They do not know
what they can expect from the next months. How many guests will travel to Crete especially to Plakias?
We had no problems with the prices in the tavernas or in the supermarkets. We could not see an increase opposite to the last year.
The problem is the exchange rate Euro/Pound. During our stay in Plakias every evening we saw the exchange rate and
it was 1 Pound to 1,10 - 1,12 Euro. I know it is bad for you.
Now, enough for today.
Kerstin
Hi Kerstin,
I am very pleased you had a good holiday in Plakias , as usual.
I will be there next week and expect the usual peaceful good holiday. Let's hope that this year I don't spend half my time in Hospital or at the doctor's office.
Will write again when I return.
Bye for now,
Heather.
ps. My older cat died. I will tell more later.
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I wish you luck.
We are off to Fuerteventura. I won't be watching any footy there, but it is rare for Brentford to get onto satellite anyway! I'll just have to be content with the D2 Championship.
Mike
Ooooh Brentford my local team (but not MY team), haven't been to the ground but have been to the Griffin pub next to it. Congrats on winning the division.
Not going to say who my team is because Chris will taunt me :-)
You should give it a try, friendly atmosphere, standing on the terraces and a lot cheaper than the Shed!
Mike
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Not going to say who my team is because Chris will taunt me :-)
as if I would.......
*champions!*
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ps. My older cat died. I will tell more later.
sorry to hear that Heather
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Sorry about your kitty Heather. We lost one of ours last year, I cried for days but the happy memories are still there.
ps. My older cat died. I will tell more later.
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What can I tell you?
.
.
.
The problem is the exchange rate Euro/Pound. During our stay in Plakias every evening we saw the exchange rate and
it was 1 Pound to 1,10 - 1,12 Euro. I know it is bad for you.
Now, enough for today.
Kerstin
Hi Kerstin,
Glad you had a great holiday (is anything else possible in Plakias?)
Thanks for the information, at least the pound/euro rate is a little better than a few months ago
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ps. My older cat died. I will tell more later.
sorry to hear that Heather
Thankyou for that. He was a big lumbering old cat but after 14 years part of the family.
Heather.
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Sorry about your kitty Heather. We lost one of ours last year, I cried for days but the happy memories are still there.
ps. My older cat died. I will tell more later.
Thankyou also. He was a big lumbering fluffy old cat with a bad temper, but I loved him to bits.
RIP Bengy.
Heather.
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[/quote]
Hi Kerstin,
I am very pleased you had a good holiday in Plakias , as usual.
I will be there next week and expect the usual peaceful good holiday. Let's hope that this year I don't spend half my time in Hospital or at the doctor's office.
Will write again when I return.
Bye for now,
Heather.
ps. My older cat died. I will tell more later.
[/quote]
Hi Heather,
unfortunately, I cannot send a private message. I do not know the reason. It does not works.
I am so sorry that Bengy died. I feel with you and I can remember on the death of my lovely black cat.
Kerstin
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Have a great holiday, Heather. BTW - you deserve a medal for still using Windows 98. Having said that, I've probably been brainwashed into believing that newer=better.
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Have a great holiday, Heather. BTW - you deserve a medal for still using Windows 98. Having said that, I've probably been brainwashed into believing that newer=better.
Thankyou G and K,
Don't mock!! I had to be cajoled (blackmailed) into trading up from windows 95.!!
There is a more practical and essential explanation. I am an OAP on a pension and my priorities thus far are :- 2 holidays a year and continue to run my nice car. Nothing else yet has got in the way of these priorities.
You are right though that newer is better - this old computer has to be pedalled really hard. It crashes , has got bugs galore and a mind of its own. If the need to play with a REAL machine takes me, I go down to the library (OAP's price). Their machines are so fast that I get frightened.
Mine is slowly grinding to a halt with malicious script writing. I will have a chat with one of the very clever young men who have set up computer repair shops and when they have stopped laughing I will ask them to look out for a reasonable second hand thing .
I forgot to tell you that my monitor on button is held in with gaffa tape !
I'll just take the medal shall I ?
Cheers , Heather.
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We are going to Plakias a week tomorrow leaving from Manchester - I was going to look out for a gentleman in Cretan dress on the plane, but it seems Harribobs will be on a different plane. Our plane is timed much better; we hope to be there in time for an evening stroll, an ouzo and meal. We are a family with a 10 year old, if you see us around. We first went to Plakias on a day visit from Georgioupolis in 1992 on our honeymoon, and returned for a week's holiday two years ago. My daughter says it is her favourite place - when asked why, the answer was "Doughnuts".
To continue the off-topic theme, I have moved straight from Windows 95 to Vista - how's that for upgrading?
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To continue the off-topic theme, I have moved straight from Windows 95 to Vista - how's that for upgrading?
Big mistake in my opinion. Bought a very powerful laptop with vista and it was awful and would not run some of the essential applications I needed. I bought another very basic laptop (much less powerful) with XP - they still supplied that OS and it goes beautifully and runs all the applications that I need. Vista laptop gathering dust.
John R
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To continue the off-topic theme, I have moved straight from Windows 95 to Vista - how's that for upgrading?
Big mistake in my opinion. Bought a very powerful laptop with vista and it was awful and would not run some of the essential applications I needed. I bought another very basic laptop (much less powerful) with XP - they still supplied that OS and it goes beautifully and runs all the applications that I need. Vista laptop gathering dust.
John R
Poor old Windows Vista, always getting a bad rep
To be fair I like parts of it but I prefer XP in other parts (and Windows 7 in others!)
Windows 7 is definitely better in most respects if thats any consolation.
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To continue the off-topic theme, I have moved straight from Windows 95 to Vista - how's that for upgrading?
Big mistake in my opinion. Bought a very powerful laptop with vista and it was awful and would not run some of the essential applications I needed. I bought another very basic laptop (much less powerful) with XP - they still supplied that OS and it goes beautifully and runs all the applications that I need. Vista laptop gathering dust.
John R
Am very interested in what you all have to say about upgrading my PC.
However - I can see myself being told off for going off topic !
Maybe all you knowledgable people could start a new strand and put me on the right track with a new computer in mind.
John R has suggested almost exactly the basic laptop that my daughter suggested.
I will look into it but any good advice will be gratefully received.
Cheers All,
Heather. T/Gran
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We are going to Plakias a week tomorrow leaving from Manchester - I was going to look out for a gentleman in Cretan dress on the plane, but it seems Harribobs will be on a different plane.
they won't let me take my rifle on the plane anymore , so i travel much more casual these days
although i have been known to go a little 'native'
(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/393369191_EFB2R-S.jpg)
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Hey Kerstin
Thanks so much for your lovely post it really took me back there .... roll on September
Good to hear Freddy is still in employment. Did you see if Emma was working?
But sorry to hear about your cat. I cry more over the loss of my cats than my relatives I'm ashamed to say
You too Ploppy. Did you get a new companion for your other little one yet?
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Am very interested in what you all have to say about upgrading my PC.
However - I can see myself being told off for going off topic !
Maybe all you knowledgable people could start a new strand and put me on the right track with a new computer in mind.
John R has suggested almost exactly the basic laptop that my daughter suggested.
I will look into it but any good advice will be gratefully received.
Cheers All,
Heather. T/Gran
Hi Heather
You could try a refurbished laptop, such as the ones available here which seem pretty reasonably priced... Refurbed Laptops. (http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=Refurb+%2F+Used+Laptops&nav=)
Dell laptops are pretty good so you should be okay with it. Don't have any experience with the retailer though.
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But sorry to hear about your cat. I cry more over the loss of my cats than my relatives I'm ashamed to say
You too Ploppy. Did you get a new companion for your other little one yet?
Yes we got another kitty a few months after we lost Kyma. We called him Kori and he has just had his first birthday. Kali just about tolerates him
Isn't it terrible, I have only ever lost two grandparents, we weren't hugely close and yes when Kyma died it knocked me for six, the suddeness didn't help.
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But sorry to hear about your cat. I cry more over the loss of my cats than my relatives I'm ashamed to say
You too Ploppy. Did you get a new companion for your other little one yet?
Yes we got another kitty a few months after we lost Kyma. We called him Kori and he has just had his first birthday. Kali just about tolerates him
Isn't it terrible, I have only ever lost two grandparents, we weren't hugely close and yes when Kyma died it knocked me for six, the suddeness didn't help.
Thankyou all for your kind thoughts re. Bengy.
I do have two other cats at the moment , one I foster until she is ready for re-homing and another big chap with attitude called Sammy. I could write a book about his antics ! He is rescued from a horrible situation as have been all the others.
Sammy will never be re-homed so he is here to stay. With a few exceptions I take on older cats that are often overlooked so the death of one or the other is a fact of life.
Sammy is missing Bengy, wandering around the house and garden looking for him.
It does not make it any easier though. I grow to love them despite everything and miss them deeply when they die.
Bengy died as a 90% result of my neighbour's actions. I will never forgive him (neighbour) or his family as long as I live. They have never said sorry nor even acknowledged his demise.
It is a different kind of grief with dogs or cats or any pet for that matter. We are always left wondering if there was more we could have done.
But now to see to Sammy who is at the door howling (yowling ?) for attention.!
Thanks again all,
Heather.
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Am very interested in what you all have to say about upgrading my PC.
However - I can see myself being told off for going off topic !
Maybe all you knowledgable people could start a new strand and put me on the right track with a new computer in mind.
John R has suggested almost exactly the basic laptop that my daughter suggested.
I will look into it but any good advice will be gratefully received.
Hi T/Gran
I'll start a new thread and with help from me and the others we'll get you sorted
One solution could be to take one of my old PC's, both of which run XP and I would'nt want anything for it ....But first some questions which I'll post on the new thread
Gimme an hour as I've a few jobs to do and I'll post later.
Thankyou kindly,
Heather.
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Hey Kerstin
Thanks so much for your lovely post it really took me back there .... roll on September
Good to hear Freddy is still in employment. Did you see if Emma was working?
But sorry to hear about your cat. I cry more over the loss of my cats than my relatives I'm ashamed to say
You too Ploppy. Did you get a new companion for your other little one yet?
Yes, we saw Emma. She works in the Livicon during the day and she looks very nice.
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I have booked a flight to Iraklion on 12th June and I'll be returning home on 23rd June. I'll have to stay in Iraklion one night - considering the Castello City at £39.21 - then I'll go to Matala, then maybe Aghia Galini, and finally Plakias from about the 19th. I'll just arrive and find somewhere to stay. For the moment, the name of the place where I've stayed the last twice escapes me, but it's next to Medoussa. It looks like Alex and Fran will be there but I don't know who they are. It's 2 years since I've been, so I'll be able to see the new developments - Plakia Panorama was a building site when I last saw it.
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kyriakos ??
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/1491605275_eb0938223a.jpg)
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kyriakos ??
That's right. They are run by the lady who is nearest the camera in your photo.
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• There was only very minimal activity at the new development opposite Paligremnos and what has been built are just shells.
• A smart looking pavement is being constructed from the bakery out on the road to the east and has currently reached Santa Maria.
• An airport taxi transfer (I was told) in now 90€.
• The track beside the Plakias Bay hotel, heading towards Damnoni, has been bulldozed for the first part.
• Although the £ is well down against the € I was pleasantly surprised to find that of the things I bought in Plakias, almost without exception they were the same price as a year earlier in € terms.
• Teacher's whisky is 15€ a litre airside at Heraklion airport (and that was the UK strength of 40% ABV rather than export strength of 43% ABV). Not too many UK buyers!
• The Olympic rep. is called Alexander Innes.
• There is a new “Doughnut Man”. He has some of the same patter at Lefteris but makes it sound much less interesting.
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• An airport taxi transfer (I was told) in now 90€.
We paid for each transfer 85 Euros and we were very satisfied with the service. He was very reliable and he drove very certainly.
Within 90 minutes we arrived in Plakias and in Heraklion.
Kerstin
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• There was only very minimal activity at the new development opposite Paligremnos and what has been built are just shells.
• A smart looking pavement is being constructed from the bakery out on the road to the east and has currently reached Santa Maria.
• An airport taxi transfer (I was told) in now 90€.
• The track beside the Plakias Bay hotel, heading towards Damnoni, has been bulldozed for the first part.
• Although the £ is well down against the € I was pleasantly surprised to find that of the things I bought in Plakias, almost without exception they were the same price as a year earlier in € terms.
• Teacher's whisky is 15€ a litre airside at Heraklion airport (and that was the UK strength of 40% ABV rather than export strength of 43% ABV). Not too many UK buyers!
• The Olympic rep. is called Alexander Innes.
• There is a new “Doughnut Man”. He has some of the same patter at Lefteris but makes it sound much less interesting.
"The track beside the Plakias Bay hotel, heading towards Damnoni, has been bulldozed for the first part. "
Does that make it impassable? We use that route quite a lot when we're there....
Bwian
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"The track beside the Plakias Bay hotel, heading towards Damnoni, has been bulldozed for the first part. "
Does that make it impassable? We use that route quite a lot when we're there....
Bwian
Actually it makes it easier. I only went down it to Damnoni etc but there was also an initially bulldozed track leading off it towards the hilltop above the far end.
Mike
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"The track beside the Plakias Bay hotel, heading towards Damnoni, has been bulldozed for the first part. "
Does that make it impassable? We use that route quite a lot when we're there....
Bwian
Actually it makes it easier. I only went down it to Damnoni etc but there was also an initially bulldozed track leading off it towards the hilltop above the far end.
Mike
Cool - thanks Mike! We usually hire a car to get us to Plakias (dropping it off at Happimag - that walk through the olive grove back to Plakias is a favourite part of our first day )
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• An airport taxi transfer (I was told) in now 90€.
We paid for each transfer 85 Euros and we were very satisfied with the service. He was very reliable and he drove very certainly.
Within 90 minutes we arrived in Plakias and in Heraklion.
Kerstin
Have arrived back from a fabulous 2 weeks in Plakias. Weather fantastic and a big wind on only one day.
Highlight for me was meeting fellow Forum members who are all great people.
Our transfer from Heraklion on 26th May was the transfer from hell. I was convinced we were going to Plakias via Libya . It took just under four hours. I was already exhausted from a previous nights drive from North Devon to Gatwick so that transfer dulled the enjoyment usually experienced when arriving in Plakias.
It cannot be beyond Olympic to try and improve this state of affairs. It has long been a bone of contention , I know.
HOWEVER ! Luggage dropped off and a quick shower saw me meeting friends and all transfer horrors soon left me.
The new developments are continuing slowly but surely and are gradually creeping along the beach road. Not too much noise at all from the construction site,though.
I too found that prices have only changed marginally but the rotten exchange rate did make it's mark somewhat. Fingers crossed for a better rate next year.
Chilled for the 2 weeks and back home again after confronting the M25 , M4 and M5 and then the endless drag of the A361. 7 hours.
One big pleasant surprise on arriving home. Due to good weather while I was away all my Peonies have bloomed at once. I have cut as many as I dare and having given loads away to friends , have vases full of them. They are so beautiful.
I will try and attach a pic.
The fragrance of the blooms are going a long way to covering the bad smell that is making it's presence felt.!!!
Regards to everyone,
Heather.
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I wish our peonies were half as good. Glad you had a great time. After a few years of going with Olympic and Kosmos, it was the ridiculously long transfers that made us switch to going independent (also, we like staying at Stella's).
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Hello Heather,
I left Dora the day you arrived. I would be interested to hear of your opinions compared to mine (see reports I did in the Article System for Dora and a few tavernas).
Two weeks before your transfer from hell (12/5/09, and I suspect from the same Gatwick 9am flight) we were in Plakias in 1 hour 45 mins with a non-stop transfer. Returning on 26/5 it was over 3 hours via Rethymnon and Bali but not as bad as yours. Having said that I agree with you that the memory soon fades as the pleasures of Plakias fill your brain. And you had €180 to spend that would otherwise be in a taxi driver's back pocket! Apparently Olympic contract out the whole of the tranfer process from the airport to Plakias to Monza travel. That doesn't absolve them from the responsibilty but maybe explains their reluctance to address the issue. As with most things it boils down to money I guess.
Only negative to report is that The Troll returned during your absence but most took the advice not to feed him.
Mike
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Hello Heather,
I left Dora the day you arrived. I would be interested to hear of your opinions compared to mine (see reports I did in the Article System for Dora and a few tavernas).
Two weeks before your transfer from hell (12/5/09, and I suspect from the same Gatwick 9am flight) we were in Plakias in 1 hour 45 mins with a non-stop transfer. Returning on 26/5 it was over 3 hours via Rethymnon and Bali but not as bad as yours. Having said that I agree with you that the memory soon fades as the pleasures of Plakias fill your brain. And you had €180 to spend that would otherwise be in a taxi driver's back pocket! Apparently Olympic contract out the whole of the tranfer process from the airport to Plakias to Monza travel. That doesn't absolve them from the responsibilty but maybe explains their reluctance to address the issue. As with most things it boils down to money I guess.
Only negative to report is that The Troll returned during your absence but most took the advice not to feed him.
Mike
Hello Mike,
I have stayed with Dora on and off for 13 years and although most accommodation has improved with the times , Dora Studios has not. A kettle has appeared in the last 2 years. I am a single traveller and am getting used to being given crap rooms and broom cupboards and the like and this year was no exception. I was given room 7.
The worst possible room at Dora's , first on the left as you enter up the steps.
The minute Sandy gave me my room number I asked to change. These are the excuses I was given :- 1) It is full.
2) The allocation is out of our (whose?) hands.
3) It is the luck of the draw. ( No it is not.)
4) Ask the owner next Tuesday.
And more along those petty lines.
Dora was not full. Rooms 8 and 9 were empty for my first week and a single male occupied 9 for one week only.. He left early morning on the same day that I did. He also provided all corridor users with diverting entertainment as he spent most of his time lying on one of the beds , stark naked and with his corridor door wide open. What was that about ????
My balcony was very, very far from private . One lady accused me of startling her as she had not at first seen me sitting on my balcony and I made her jump. I am not often lost for words but I just drank some more wine and ignored her. She glared at me for the next 10 days.
Towels and sheets are fine at Dora , always have been - but the daily rubbish is not being collected any more and the ouside waste bin just by my balcony was filled quickly as people cottoned on to this. This bin soon began to smell and I bought some air freshener and squirted the bin each day so my balcony was fit to sit out on in the evening. The shower drain in room 7 is at the end of the line at Dora's and stank to high heaven if I closed the door. (Utilised air freshener again)
Shall I go on?. I recall somebody on the forum remarking that 'this is not the 1960's'.
Olympic , their reps., and accommodation owners take note. These things have always been a problem at Dora's so absolutely no improvement there .
As for Monza travel,we are all aware that the British visitors to Plakias are given third class treatment. Monza should never be left unsupervised to just get on with it. They need checking up upon frequently by an impartial third party. The German tour operators do so.
I do not look upon the £180 taxi fare as money in my pocket. I have already paid for my transfer and indeed a single supplement on everything else to Olympic holidays. It does seem to me after all this time that Olympic are taking the mick.
Looked at the Forum fairly often while away and I had certainly noticed the return of the troll. Maybe my posting re- my Peonies will give you a clue. The last paragraph.
Am now coming up to the time of year to look at booking next years Plakias trip. Olympic have become complacent inasmuch as they are now the only package tour operators group from the UK. So sub-standard customer service and accommodation are of no concern to them. If we don't like it we can lump it. At least myself on a .
retirement pension and shrinking income just cannot go the independent route that we always did. I now have no choices left.
Incidentally , KC's also treat single females shabbily .I have been palmed off with the cleaning cupboard and the room above it at the top of the stairs over the last few years. That time I threw rather a loud wobbly at the crowded bar and was moved to the kind of good decent room for which I had paid.
I am already wracking my brains as to how I can do Plakias independently next year. I wish to go for 3 weeks but Olympic will not quote me as they say 'we don't know how the room availability will pan out' That kind of newspeak gets up my nose. I am tempted to say sod'em but I wish to holiday in Plakias in the summer. I never ,ever have this trouble booking winter sun breaks as no one operator has the monopoly as Olympic does.
I'm off now to dead head my flowers before I blow a fuse.
Cheers me dears,
Heather
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I am already wracking my brains as to how I can do Plakias independently next year. I wish to go for 3 weeks but Olympic will not quote me as they say 'we don't know how the room availability will pan out' That kind of newspeak gets up my nose. I am tempted to say sod'em but I wish to holiday in Plakias in the summer. I never ,ever have this trouble booking winter sun breaks as no one operator has the monopoly as Olympic does.
I'm off now to dead head my flowers before I blow a fuse.
Cheers me dears,
Heather
Hi Heather, my recommendation would be to stay at Stella's (friendly and quiet), book with Easyjet (we got a Sunday day flight for £150) and try the Shuttle bus/taxi offered on the Easyjet site which will be significantly cheaper than a taxi (another forum member used it earlier and posted prices).
Good luck!
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Hello Heather and we're pleased you had some good weather and generaly good time
Have you considered trying to find a couple of like minded souls and sharing an apartment and the costs. One could still do ones own thing or not, but at least you'd have your own room and at no extra cost, might even be a cheaper way of doing it
We have a house this year for a week with 6 beds (only need 3) and would happily share with someone next year if they were like minded souls and we had the same house. At least you have plenty of time to research the option if you think it might be a viable
Loved the photo of the flowers
Hello Graeme,
I am thinking now of all options. I wish to go next year on the last two weeks in May and the First week in June. 3 weeks in all.
I am already committed ( and have paid) to Tanzania ( Zanzibar ) at the end of this year 2009.( The bulk of this is paid for with air miles I have acquired on long haul.)
This being so then funds are short until end January 2010 although I am able to find deposits etc., earlier.
I really would prefer to fly from Bristol or even Exeter so will try the various operators who use them. After this years odyssey to Gatwick and back my patience has deserted me.
I have been bashing away for days trying to get airline quotes for 2010 but nobody quoting yet for the dates I require.
Olympic has always been the cheapest option for my requirements. If I can find another way near their price then I will opt for that.
I should be able to get quotes from Olympic in two weeks (so they say). That will be the ground set with which I can make my decision.
Meanwhile and off subject some what. I used the computer at Ostraco most days and I must say very impressed with XL. My old thing has got worse and some bug or another is gradually destroying all applications. So. open to all advice.
I am pleased you like my flowers. They are spectacular this year for some reason or another. It is nothing I have done, just favourable weather conditions . A lot of people in this area grow them and my other favourites ,Hydrangeas and sweet peas.The Peonies are now in vases with their stems bashed and in sparkling water. They do tend to stay fresh a long time,thankfully.
Back to the pic of the flowers, the lens of my camera was still smeared with Ambre Solaire so please don't think I have been super creative with soft focus.!!!
Thanks for all your good ideas,
I will follow them all up.
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[/quote]
Hi Heather, my recommendation would be to stay at Stella's (friendly and quiet), book with Easyjet (we got a Sunday day flight for £150) and try the Shuttle bus/taxi offered on the Easyjet site which will be significantly cheaper than a taxi (another forum member used it earlier and posted prices).
Good luck!
[/quote]
Go independent, I am in Plakias now and booked a room at Helios app (http://www.helios-apartments.gr/)(the best an biggest I had so far " sat tv, internet, ac, cooking and a place to sit and a real table") for 320 euro 2wks.
Hired a car for 3 days pick up Heraklion and return plakias for 110 euro (beats a cab).
BTW, The wind is back.
Greeting Steven.
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i'm back in Manchester, but i know where i'd rather be...
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i'm back in Manchester, but i know where i'd rather be...
Likewise ,Chris.
Your pic is making me long for Plakias. The big seas lasted a day or so but there was no wind. Perfect.
Thankyou for the company and meeting also with Tom and John.
I will go into training next timefor the drinking marathons. !
Heather.
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Hi Heather, my recommendation would be to stay at Stella's (friendly and quiet), book with Easyjet (we got a Sunday day flight for £150) and try the Shuttle bus/taxi offered on the Easyjet site which will be significantly cheaper than a taxi (another forum member used it earlier and posted prices).
Go independent, I am in Plakias now and booked a room at Helios app ([url]http://www.helios-apartments.gr/[/url])(the best an biggest I had so far " sat tv, internet, ac, cooking and a place to sit and a real table") for 320 euro 2wks.
Hired a car for 3 days pick up Heraklion and return plakias for 110 euro (beats a cab).
BTW, The wind is back.
Greeting Steven.
Hello Steven and Graham/Karen,
The rate you quote for Helios is very good but Heather is right that going independently from the UK for a single is much more expensive than Olympic, even with an Easyjet flight and the Olympic single supplement. I would be interested to hear about the "Easyjet shuttle" though as I must have missed that posting.
Mike
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Our transfer from Heraklion on 26th May was the transfer from hell. I was convinced we were going to Plakias via Libya . It took just under four hours. I was already exhausted from a previous nights drive from North Devon to Gatwick so that transfer dulled the enjoyment usually experienced when arriving in Plakias.
[/quote]
HELP!!!!
Has anyone else had experience this year of the Olympic transfer from Heraklion.
We are due to land at 14:50 on the 18th August and I am in two minds about risking a long slow transfer of hiring a car from the airport.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Peter&Dawn (only 58 days to go)
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Our transfer from Heraklion on 26th May was the transfer from hell. I was convinced we were going to Plakias via Libya . It took just under four hours. I was already exhausted from a previous nights drive from North Devon to Gatwick so that transfer dulled the enjoyment usually experienced when arriving in Plakias.
HELP!!!!
Has anyone else had experience this year of the Olympic transfer from Heraklion.
We are due to land at 14:50 on the 18th August and I am in two minds about risking a long slow transfer of hiring a car from the airport.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Peter&Dawn (only 58 days to go)
Hi to answer your query, we went for the first time with with Olympic in May. The flight landed half an hour early so in Heraklion for 03 .30 we were in Plakias for 07.00 they provided a mini coach from Rethynmon to plakias as there were only 6 of us. Hope it goes the same for you.
Dotty and Gary
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Our transfer from Heraklion on 26th May was the transfer from hell. I was convinced we were going to Plakias via Libya . It took just under four hours. I was already exhausted from a previous nights drive from North Devon to Gatwick so that transfer dulled the enjoyment usually experienced when arriving in Plakias.
HELP!!!!
Has anyone else had experience this year of the Olympic transfer from Heraklion.
We are due to land at 14:50 on the 18th August and I am in two minds about risking a long slow transfer of hiring a car from the airport.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Peter&Dawn (only 58 days to go)
Hi to answer your query, we went for the first time with with Olympic in May. The flight landed half an hour early so in Heraklion for 03 .30 we were in Plakias for 07.00 they provided a mini coach from Rethynmon to plakias as there were only 6 of us. Hope it goes the same for you.
Dotty and Gary
Quotes seem to have been mixed up as the "Libya" statement is Heather's but in answer to your question my Olympic transfer on May 12 was 1 hr 45mins to the first stop in Plakias and about 2 hours to mine (Dora, the last). Returning on May 26 it was just over 3 hours. Heather's two weeks later was as she described for the same Gatwick flight. It seems to be the luck of the draw and as I said, Olympic has contracted the whole transfer process to Monza travel and let them get on with it. Everyone has the option of ignoring the transfer and booking a taxi at ca. €180 for the round trip. I know what my choice would be as €180 still buys quite a lot in Plakias and when the first drink hits the spot the transfer is soon forgotten..
I did hear an example last year where a couple had opted out and hadn't had the courtesy to tell the Olympic rep and this had further delayed the transfer for the others while they waited (in vain) for them.
Mike
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I'm sure it is the luck of the draw. Unfortunately, we always seemed to be unlucky. We've also had 5hr transfers. I agree that 180 Euro buys a lot but for 289 Euro, we can get a small car for 2 weeks. As much as we enjoy walking in the local area, having the car does open up more possibilities.
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try the Shuttle bus/taxi offered on the Easyjet site which will be significantly cheaper than a taxi (another forum member used it earlier and posted prices).
Greeting Steven.
Hello Steven and Graham/Karen,
I would be interested to hear about the "Easyjet shuttle" though as I must have missed that posting.
Mike
Forget the easyJet shuttle...unless you're prepared to spend £235.20. See my post in Lift Request / Taxi Share - Sept 2009 in this section of the forum (sorry, I haven't worked out how to insert links to other posts).
Noopsy
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I'm sure it is the luck of the draw. Unfortunately, we always seemed to be unlucky. We've also had 5hr transfers. I agree that 180 Euro buys a lot but for 289 Euro, we can get a small car for 2 weeks. As much as we enjoy walking in the local area, having the car does open up more possibilities.
Thanks for the transfer replies / horror stories. I don't think we would enjoy a 3hr + transfer so we have decided that hiring a car is the best solution. (And I will remember to tell the Olympic reps on arrival.)
If any forum member is around from 18th August till 1st September please come and say hello, we will probably be in the Livicon most evenings.
Peter&Dawn
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Hows Plakias looking this year.
Is it busy or is there a drop in the anount of people going.
is the extra vit-a-min-a guy still doing his thing.
Who's doing the sunbeds at the far end.
Hows the me harbour going.
Only two weeks to wait here, I can taste the Mythos.
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We arrive on 21st July at 15;00 with Olympic. How long to get to Plakias? Prizes for the nesrest answer !
Barny.
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Hows Plakias looking this year.
Is it busy or is there a drop in the anount of people going.
is the extra vit-a-min-a guy still doing his thing.
Who's doing the sunbeds at the far end.
Hows the me harbour going.
Only two weeks to wait here, I can taste the Mythos.
Davos,
Plakias looking very good despite a rush of further development.
The road behind the village from Manoussis' taverna right around to the youth hostel or road back into Plakias which was such a pretty and peaceful walk/bike ride with wild flower meadows and the bridge over the river, is now being developed so much that the river is becoming clogged up with silt and bags of rubbish. The Porto Plakias Hotel that so dominated that area last year now seems dwarfed by the new buildings in what were last year olive groves and wild flower meadows.
On my last full day on the beach the peace and quiet was interrupted by a large party of Russians with footballs, children and loud radios. On the third time of being hit by footballs I moved to much further along the beach. The noise from this group was also a bit of a shock. Shrieking , squealing girls and kids and radios all playing different music loudly.
May as well go to Tenerife.
I missed the doughnut man but he is still around , but with less patter.
As for the far end sunbeds maybe Kirsten or John and Tom will know.
There was nothing going on at the new harbour while I was there. Maybe another Forum reader will enlighten on that score.
It is still Plakias though with that certain atmosphere of peace and well being.
Heather.
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We arrive on 21st July at 15;00 with Olympic. How long to get to Plakias? Prizes for the nesrest answer !
Barny.
I want to win the prize so I will say 3 hours 25 minutes from Heraklion to Dora's.
NB ( what is the prize ?????????????)
Heather.
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Hows Plakias looking this year.
Is it busy or is there a drop in the anount of people going.
is the extra vit-a-min-a guy still doing his thing.
Who's doing the sunbeds at the far end.
Hows the me harbour going.
Only two weeks to wait here, I can taste the Mythos.
Hello Davos,
as I wrote, during our stay early in May, Freddy was very busy and amusing on the beach. Together, we had a lot of fun.
Of course you can buy the donuts. Every day early in the afternoon he offered the "delicious" donuts.
Concerning the harbour, I believe, it will takes a lot of time until finishing this construction.
Enjoy your stay.
Greetings,
Kerstin
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We arrive on 21st July at 15;00 with Olympic. How long to get to Plakias? Prizes for the nesrest answer !
Barny.
I want to win the prize so I will say 3 hours 25 minutes from Heraklion to Dora's.
NB ( what is the prize ?????????????)
Heather.
Hello Heather,
I believe we had the shortest transfer with "Taxi 4 you". ...... 90 minutes from Heraklion to Plakias and within the same time back to the airport.
Yes, we paid 85,00 Euros for each transfer, but we had no stress and it was very nice to talk to Zack. We would do it again and again.
Kerstin
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We arrive on 21st July at 15;00 with Olympic. How long to get to Plakias? Prizes for the nesrest answer !
Barny.
I want to win the prize so I will say 3 hours 25 minutes from Heraklion to Dora's.
NB ( what is the prize ?????????????)
Heather.
Hello Heather,
I believe we had the shortest transfer with "Taxi 4 you". ...... 90 minutes from Heraklion to Plakias and within the same time back to the airport.
Yes, we paid 85,00 Euros for each transfer, but we had no stress and it was very nice to talk to Zack. We would do it again and again.
Kerstin
Hi Kerstin,
90 MINUTES ??. How lucky you are to have done that.
I think I have had dreams about that happening but always end up in the nightmare reality of 3 hours or more.
We have been transferred by taxi in the past but that was when there were no more than 4 people to go to Plakias. No such luck now as more and more people go there.
Love,
Heather.
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We arrive on 21st July at 15;00 with Olympic. How long to get to Plakias? Prizes for the nesrest answer !
Barny.
I want to win the prize so I will say 3 hours 25 minutes from Heraklion to Dora's.
NB ( what is the prize ?????????????)
Heather.
Hello Heather,
I believe we had the shortest transfer with "Taxi 4 you". ...... 90 minutes from Heraklion to Plakias and within the same time back to the airport.
Yes, we paid 85,00 Euros for each transfer, but we had no stress and it was very nice to talk to Zack. We would do it again and again.
Kerstin
Hi Kerstin,
90 MINUTES ??. How lucky you are to have done that.
I think I have had dreams about that happening but always end up in the nightmare reality of 3 hours or more.
We have been transferred by taxi in the past but that was when there were no more than 4 people to go to Plakias. No such luck now as more and more people go there.
Love,
Heather.
Hi Heather,
yes, have a look on the web-site from Taxi 4 you and really he keeps the promise concerning the transfer.
We were alone and I arranged the transfer via email from Germany. We were very satisfied about the reliability.
I agree with you, such a long transfer as you had ... it was a nightmare and I am sure, you was very tired during the next day.
With love to you,
Kerstin
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Thanks Heather and Kerstin for your replys.
The last 7 times we have been to Plakias we have made our own way and Kerstin is right 90 mins is a good time in a Taxi.
The fastest we have done the trip is 1 hour 20.
Davos
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Hello,
I agree that Taxi 4 You and especially Zak is a very good choise. At a reasonable price he just not only pick you up on time, he also give you a good and safe drive.
My wife has tried a unknown taxi from Rethymon to Plakias once. It was cheap and the fastest drive so far, and new record on the distance - but it certainly did not feel good and safe!
Regards
BoCina
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We were lucky to be have taxi transfers both ways when we went to Plakias last year as we were the only 2 guests staying there on the Leeds Bradford flight. Going back on my own at the end of September and staying at the Dora so hoping I don't get room 7 Heather! Will keep my fingers crossed that the transfer doesn't take too long as the flight doesn't arrive into Heraklion until about 9pm.
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We were lucky to be have taxi transfers both ways when we went to Plakias last year as we were the only 2 guests staying there on the Leeds Bradford flight. Going back on my own at the end of September and staying at the Dora so hoping I don't get room 7 Heather! Will keep my fingers crossed that the transfer doesn't take too long as the flight doesn't arrive into Heraklion until about 9pm.
My trip to Plakias this year is the first time in 15 years that I have had to fly from Gatwick and there were many more people and many more stops and drop offs than I have ever experienced . My usual journey is from Bristol.
This reminds me of the days of SunMed when we flew from Chania and
stopped and picked up those in Rethymnon but those flying from Heraklion went via Spilli , Aghia Marina and occasionally Matala, plus all stops to Heraklion.
These were always night journeys so more comfortable and easier to sleep. Our journey times were always around four hours or more but we expected this and it just became part of the holiday. We were also frequently taken directly to Plakias by taxi as very few went there. The roads were pretty bad then as well.
The main problem that Monza is creating for itself is trying to manoeuvre very big coaches through tiny streets and narrow hotel approaches. Reversing back out of these tight corners is I agree very skillfull but take ages and ages which only adds to the total time. The back streets of Old Rethymnon were not built for this kind of traffic.
As you are going to Dora's in September .Gemma 1, you may be lucky and be allocated an upper room as I have been , several times. If you do get the dreaded room 7 or any on the ground floor then take ear plugs and some thick cardboard to level the fridge. During the night these clapped out old fridges spring into life with a very loud crack and when they eventually switch off , all their innards rattle. It's no use trying to adjust the temperature control of said fridges as they are either off or will freeze everything inside. I wrestled most mornings with frozen yoghurt , solid water and everything else except the wine.!
What super fun it all is and while Olympic have the monopoly of cheaper packages nothing will change.
Chin up and let's all be very British about it all.!!
Have fun,
Heather.
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Thanks for the update Heather. If the fridge is that noisy I might be tempted to unplug it at night! Going 29 September so it shouldn't be too hot and I can switch it back on in a morning to chill the wine down :-)
Did consider going back to the Kostas which is where we stayed last year but we had the room next to the bar which my partner loved but it did mean it was noisy on a morning and the view from the balcony wasn't good. Had a look round the Dora when we were there and thought it would be better for me on my own. I'm sure I'll enjoy myself whatever, looking forward to some Greek food, sunshine and nice walks around Plakias.
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I found Plakias to be very quiet in the first week, the umbrellas at the far end were around 50% full, it did get busier in the second week but nothing like what it was like last year, the same was reflected in the tavernas
The donut man is Lefteris's brother ( forgot his name sorry) he told me Lefteris is very ill now and is seeing a doctor at Rethynmion hospital on a daily basis, " too many cigarettes, too many food"
The weather while i was there was superb!
(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/573569930_sUBKH-M.jpg)
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The main problem that Monza is creating for itself is trying to manoeuvre very big coaches through tiny streets and narrow hotel approaches. Reversing back out of these tight corners is I agree very skillfull but take ages and ages which only adds to the total time. The back streets of Old Rethymnon were not built for this kind of traffic.
Heather.
Heather is quite right that this is a significant part of the long transfer times and it applies in Bali just as it does in Rethymnon.
Some of the postings in this thread have surprised me. There have been many discussions over the years about tour operator versus booking independently (for UK travellers). As most people are now familiar with researching and purchasing things online, the main advantage of using Olympic is one of price. It is still cheaper than booking independently, especially for singles, for those who aren't planning to car hire. If you book independently you have the choice of virtually the whole of the accommodation in the town and a better choice of flight times and airports. The bit I don't understand is booking with Olympic and then transferring by taxi, to save maybe 90 mins. Surely if you are prepared to pay for a taxi you might as well have all the benefits of the greater choice available from booking independently on the internet! Although €180 is insignificant for some, as a comparison it is more than I spent on 14 nights' meals on my recent holiday.
I have had a several taxi transfers over the years, although not to Plakias. Sometimes I have felt very unsafe in a taxi and always feel safer in a coach, frustrating as it often is.
Regarding Dora, I gave them a pretty good write up in the Article System. As this is little used others may not have seen that I was quite happy there (as a single). I am willing to accept that I may have been lucky though.
Mike
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The main problem that Monza is creating for itself is trying to manoeuvre very big coaches through tiny streets and narrow hotel approaches. Reversing back out of these tight corners is I agree very skillfull but take ages and ages which only adds to the total time. The back streets of Old Rethymnon were not built for this kind of traffic.
Heather.
Heather is quite right that this is a significant part of the long transfer times and it applies in Bali just as it does in Rethymnon.
Some of the postings in this thread have surprised me. There have been many discussions over the years about tour operator versus booking independently (for UK travellers). As most people are now familiar with researching and purchasing things online, the main advantage of using Olympic is one of price. It is still cheaper than booking independently, especially for singles, for those who aren't planning to car hire. If you book independently you have the choice of virtually the whole of the accommodation in the town and a better choice of flight times and airports. The bit I don't understand is booking with Olympic and then transferring by taxi, to save maybe 90 mins. Surely if you are prepared to pay for a taxi you might as well have all the benefits of the greater choice available from booking independently on the internet! Although €180 is insignificant for some, as a comparison it is more than I spent on 14 nights' meals on my recent holiday.
I have had a several taxi transfers over the years, although not to Plakias. Sometimes I have felt very unsafe in a taxi and always feel safer in a coach, frustrating as it often is.
Regarding Dora, I gave them a pretty good write up in the Article System. As this is little used others may not have seen that I was quite happy there (as a single). I am willing to accept that I may have been lucky though.
Mike
You were very lucky . Particularly if you were allocated an upper room.
Heather.
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I found Plakias to be very quiet in the first week, the umbrellas at the far end were around 50% full, it did get busier in the second week but nothing like what it was like last year, the same was reflected in the tavernas
The donut man is Lefteris's brother ( forgot his name sorry) he told me Lefteris is very ill now and is seeing a doctor at Rethynmion hospital on a daily basis, " too many cigarettes, too many food"
The weather while i was there was superb!
I was in Plakias from Thursday last week to this Tuesday. At the far end there were two sets of blue umbrellas separated by a big empty space. These were almost full and maybe full at times, with some people nude on the next set of white umbrellas. There were nowhere near as many umbrellas there as there were 2 years ago, and certianly nowhere near as many British people about. Kyriakos was virtually empty. I had a room overlooking Medousa and their rooms seemed to be mostly occupied. The bars in the evening were quiet. The only one that was busy at any time was a new one (or new to me) next to Ostraco and only on Saturday night.
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I have just spotted this announcement on the BBC website.
Greece has introduced a ban on smoking in hospitals, schools, vehicles and all public places.
Those who break the new law face fines of up to 500 euros (£428), and businesses risk losing licences after several offences.
Greece is the EU's heaviest-smoking nation - 40% of the population smokes.
But defying the authorities is a national sport and there is no guarantee the ban will succeed, a BBC correspondent in Athens says.
Small cafes and restaurants with premises measuring less than 70 square metres can choose either to be tobacco-free or to admit only patrons who smoke, our correspondent Malcolm Brabant says.
Bigger establishments can have clearly identified and ventilated smoking areas.
In order to give teeth to the new regulations, which came into force on 1 July, smokers who break the law can be fined up to 500 euros.
On the first offence, businesses will be fined 1,000 euros. Repeat offenders will face even bigger fines, and ultimately, on the fourth violation, could risk losing their licence.
Each year, 20,000 Greeks die from tobacco-related illnesses and the cost in terms of health care amounts to some 1.5bn euros.
Many workers are exposed to passive smoking.
Greek Health Minister Dimitris Avromopoulos has said the moment of truth has arrived, with the ban aiming to revolutionise people's outlook.
But many Greeks regard the new law as an infringement of civil liberties, our correspondent says.
He says that in the face of widespread civil disobedience, successive governments have always had a problem enforcing new legislation.
And so despite the tough talk, there is no guarantee that the new measures will succeed.
Does this include Crete, I guess so, at least it will be interesting to see if anybody complies.
Lito in the Lysseous may have to stop niping in the back for a quick puff.
Peter&Dawn
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8127854.stm (http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8127854.stm)
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I have just spotted this announcement on the BBC website.
Greece has introduced a ban on smoking in hospitals, schools, vehicles and all public places.
Those who break the new law face fines of up to 500 euros (£428), and businesses risk losing licences after several offences.
Greece is the EU's heaviest-smoking nation - 40% of the population smokes.
But defying the authorities is a national sport and there is no guarantee the ban will succeed, a BBC correspondent in Athens says.
Small cafes and restaurants with premises measuring less than 70 square metres can choose either to be tobacco-free or to admit only patrons who smoke, our correspondent Malcolm Brabant says.
Bigger establishments can have clearly identified and ventilated smoking areas.
In order to give teeth to the new regulations, which came into force on 1 July, smokers who break the law can be fined up to 500 euros.
On the first offence, businesses will be fined 1,000 euros. Repeat offenders will face even bigger fines, and ultimately, on the fourth violation, could risk losing their licence.
Each year, 20,000 Greeks die from tobacco-related illnesses and the cost in terms of health care amounts to some 1.5bn euros.
Many workers are exposed to passive smoking.
Greek Health Minister Dimitris Avromopoulos has said the moment of truth has arrived, with the ban aiming to revolutionise people's outlook.
But many Greeks regard the new law as an infringement of civil liberties, our correspondent says.
He says that in the face of widespread civil disobedience, successive governments have always had a problem enforcing new legislation.
And so despite the tough talk, there is no guarantee that the new measures will succeed.
Does this include Crete, I guess so, at least it will be interesting to see if anybody complies.
Lito in the Lysseous may have to stop niping in the back for a quick puff.
Peter&Dawn
[url]http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8127854.stm[/url] ([url]http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8127854.stm[/url])
It's nice that Greece has joined the civilised world in this respect but as you say, will they comply? I have always understood they have the same law re. crash helmets on motor bikes as we have but when did you last see a Greek wearing one (as common as Rocking Horse droppings!).
The comment "to admit only patrons who smoke" seems odd!!!
I wonder how the rules would apply to the many tavernas with an inside and an outdoor part.
Mike
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I didn't know about this...and judging by the number of people smoking in restaurants, they don't appear to either. I think some of these people are British who appear to be enjoying the "freedom" to smoke in eating places which they lost back home. Anyway, there are no signs anywhere saying that smoking indoors is no longer allowed.
Noopsy
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kyriakos ??
That's right. They are run by the lady who is nearest the camera in your photo.
Her name is Aglaia.