Messages

196

Plakias / Re: Begging etc

« on: November 06, 2013, 09:24:04 PM »

Agree re face mask, not necessarily freaked-out as such but awoke to see a 'robotic' face and found it slightly disturbing. Hence slow/too late response.

Remember the non-hearing/speaking vendors in the tavernas during the early 90s, bought all sorts of stuff that I didn't need, hope it helped in some way.

Re Asian people (or were they EEU Gypsies? Same origin, if one looks far enough back), many there in the Spring, apparently re-upholstering chairs amongst other things. Missing this Autumn, though, have they moved on or were they moved on?

Richard

197

Plakias / Re: Begging etc

« on: October 28, 2013, 06:32:00 PM »

Had an odd, and slightly disquieting, experience at the end of last year's season. A chap dressed as Charlie Chaplie (or similar) came along the little beach below Siroco etc. with a begging bowl.

He had clearly made quite an effort with the costume, and I feel slightly guilty that I didn't realise what he was doing, having been half asleep on the beach, until he had moved on. I didn't have the chance to put something in his bowl.

Unusual (in fact unique) in my experience at Plakias, there have always been people trying to sell cheap souvenirs but begging was a first for me, even though a great deal of effort had clearly been made.

198

Plakias / Re: Walking near Plakias

« on: October 04, 2013, 09:27:02 AM »

There is a small pamphlet, written by Lance Chilton, that we used to get us started. It was available in the supermarket on the sea-front closest to the Alianthos Beach hotel (sorry, can't remember the name).

Here are some more details: http://www.marengowalks.com/plakiasbk.html ,  http://www.marengowalks.com/plb.html

We found it very useful.

Richard

199

Holiday Companies / Re: Small Planet Airlines

« on: October 02, 2013, 08:10:05 PM »

Never had the slightest problem when they used Monarch! Can we hope that experience has encouraged them to return to this carrier?

200

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Gorgona

« on: September 29, 2013, 08:59:17 PM »

Back again this week and Gorgona still satisfies... Same relaxed atmosphere and very good food.

Richard

201

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Gioma Taverna

« on: September 29, 2013, 08:56:50 PM »

Went to Gio Ma last Sunday and opinion reinforced; still really like it. We leave first thing Wednesday so come Tuesday night, we'll spend our last evening there.

Richard

202

Holiday Companies / Re: Taxi from Heraklion

« on: September 25, 2013, 09:25:35 PM »

Can't help with taxi (too late obviously!) but have just read your post re thoughts on lone visit, good to see that you are going back again!

Richard

203

Holiday Companies / Re: Small Planet Airlines

« on: September 23, 2013, 07:18:52 PM »

I wonder do Olympic give a monkey's... Perhaps they want to pull out of the south coast altogether? Easier to ship cattle as well as customers to Ag Nik or Malia from Heraklion than to Plakias.

They have a monopoly on the charter scene and perhaps they can abuse it. We have made our own arrangements over the last few years, but used Olympic in May for a last minute week in Plakias and regret it a lot. Olympic's 'customer service' simply made my blood boil. (See rant elsewhere.)

Here again now, in Skinos apartments (that I can't recommend too highly, incidentally), having flown via Zurich with Swissair and taken taxi to Plakias. Cost more, but this is supposed to be relaxing and the trip was part of the holiday, nice flights and avoiding the 3-4 hour coach transfer.

Sitting on terrace, with a beer, having watched another lovely sunset behind the dragon whilst eating dinner. Grand!

Richard

204

Plakias / Re: It's gone very quiet !

« on: September 05, 2013, 05:57:41 PM »

We nearly always visit early May or late September/early October. Still plenty of (all?) tavernas open on previous visits; we're off again on 21st Sep so I guess we'll see if this year is the same.

Richard

205

Plakias / Re: NEW TOPIC

« on: August 14, 2013, 06:15:19 PM »

Astronomy has my geeky hobby for decades and the dark skies above Plakias are a real attraction. I have taken large binoculars and small telescopes on many occasions. Have probably had some funny looks when hanging around on the beach at midnight but there we are. Too dark to have seen them!

However, just looking up at the dark skies and the thousands of stars that are visible to the naked eye against a velvet-black sky is a real treat, compared to the washed-out, light-polluted views that I have here in the South-East, where maybe a couple of dozen bright starts are visible.

Anyone fancy forming a Plakias Astronomy Society?

Richard

206

Holiday Companies / Re: Small Planet Airlines

« on: August 14, 2013, 06:09:29 PM »

We have also made our own arrangements in recent years, since the choice of operators diminished to just Olympic and also having realised that the flexibility of making one's own arrangements really does make for a better holiday, for us at least.

This year, we booked with Olympic as a last minute decision that, in retrospect, I really regret. It wasn't that much cheaper, either. Booking an apartment directly and either hiring a car at Heraklion or having the apartment owner book a reasonably priced taxi, works well and is a nice start to the holiday.

Having travelled elsewhere in Greece using the excellent and reasonably priced public transport - even on tine islands - I don't know why we haven't done this for trips to Plakias. I agree whole-heartedly with the post somewhere above where Mike makes the point that it adds to the enjoyment of the holiday. We will be back late in September, think we might try this.

Richard

207

Plakias / Re: Off season.

« on: August 08, 2013, 06:14:14 PM »

I would love to hear more about Plakias off-season. We visit early May/late September in the hope that it will be quieter, but it is still very mych 'in-season'.

Richard

208

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Kastro

« on: July 25, 2013, 09:30:14 PM »

Oddly enough we haven't tried this place. Walked past it often enough - and it is just a short uphill walk - but didn't ever think to stop.

Back in September, think we'll give it a go. If I can see the lovely 'iridescence' from the cliff/hill at the far end of the beach, in the twilight, and the Dragon, all at once, then I will be more than happy.

Richard

209

Holiday Companies / Re: Small Planet Airlines

« on: July 25, 2013, 09:09:15 PM »

Small Planet were not bad at all; I suppose there was a residual 'ex-command economy' lack of humour (or perhaps this was just a cultural thing) but in general, the flight was fine. Would be very happy to fly with them again.

It was the replacement flight that ruined things for us in May, not the airline, but - in my opinion - Olympic's utterly disingenuous behaviour (see rant elsewhere on this site). Some people found out about re-scheduled flights whilst in Plakias.

Seeing people landing at Gatwick in the middle of the night, when they had expected to arrive at a civilised hour, really didn't make me think very highly of Olympic.

My wife has health issues around sleep and we booked a day flight for that reason. Olympic quoted us (fairly obnoxiously) a four-figure sum to fly back at roughly the same time that we;d originally boked. Apparently, this was OK because their Ts and Cs cover this. Read carefully... Personally, I despise this kind of behaviour.

(Ranting) Richard.

 

210

Plakias / Re: Lampyland

« on: July 23, 2013, 10:26:08 PM »

Hope all goes well. Will happily do as suggested. Fine idea.

I have loved Crete, not just Plakias, for a long time and now have a Cretan PhD student who is educating me further re Crete.

Best wishes, Lampyland and all, Richard