Author Topic: Reporting In  (Read 53762 times)

Offline sunshinegirl

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #105 on: September 25, 2007, 11:01:44 AM »
Hi
We also would be interested to hear about Spinalonga as I read the book whilst in Plakias and wanted to visit but the rep said they were not doing tours to the island as it was too far.  How did you get there - did you drive across to Agio Nikolais and get the ferry.  We thought we might go next year and do a week in the north to see Spinalonga.  Hope you are enjoying the book Dawn - I thought it was great.
  Ann

Offline George

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1375
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #106 on: September 25, 2007, 11:49:39 AM »
Quote from: sunshinegirl
Hi
We also would be interested to hear about Spinalonga as I read the book whilst in Plakias and wanted to visit but the rep said they were not doing tours to the island as it was too far.  How did you get there - did you drive across to Agio Nikolais and get the ferry.  We thought we might go next year and do a week in the north to see Spinalonga.  Hope you are enjoying the book Dawn - I thought it was great.
  Ann

You'll have to go to Elounda Ann and catch a 'ferry' from there. You won't have to book or anything, there's loads of different types of boats that go there all day long. Just buy a ticket and wait for the boat to fill up and then off you go.

As the rep said, from Plakias it will be a loooooong day  , I spoke to P&D about it and suggested an overnight stay in or around Elounda.  

george g...

Offline Graham_and_Karen

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 764
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #107 on: September 25, 2007, 12:54:06 PM »
By popular demand ....
We drove there to Plaka - we took a southerly route going there via Selia Agia Galini, then up to Heraklion. We expected this to be slower but just fancied a change. It took us 3hrs 20mins in a Toyota Aygo (small car). On the way back we took the fast road across the top to Rethymnon, then down. The return journey took 2 hrs 50 mins. The trip was well worth it. I suggest you get the boat from Plaka but there are boats from Elounda and Agios Nikolais. From Plaka we paid 7 euro each and there are two different boats to choose from. The boats go round the island, then drop you off. It's then 2 euro each to walk around. The boats run hourly and we found we needed about 1 1/2 hours to explore the island fully so we skipped the next boat back and waited for it to return again.  There's plenty of information about the history of the place but it's the buildings from the Turkish occupation that have been restored the most. Some of the buildings used by the Leper colony were removed in the 70s as they thought they spoiled the look of the place - a pity as it's all part of the island's history and probably the best know part since the publication of 'The Island'. Plaka is a lovely little place - quiet but with a good selection of tavernas. We would have been happy staying at Plaka for a couple of nights. We saw a bit of Elounda (nice but larger than we like) but didn't go to Agios Nikolais. BTW - forget my comment about adding captions. I see that the photos have retained their descriptive titles (unlike on Facebook).
« Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 12:28:56 PM by Graham_and_Karen »

Offline George

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1375
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #108 on: September 25, 2007, 01:41:17 PM »
I personally think that they should have left it alone. I first went there in 1978, and it was a 'dead' place eerily spooky, with no insects, no foliage, no birds in fact there was nothing there except the buildings which amittedly were in a bit of a mess. I got rid of the group I was with and just stood there watching the tumbleweed rolling down the road, it was probably the most spooky place I have ever been to.
The houses were all open and one could imagine the lepers trying to climb the stairs.
I took a photograph inside the paupers grave, the big dombed building. I actual got my head inside and the camera flash did work, but the picture never came out.
I went back there around 94/95 and it was a completely different place, the buildings were being renovated and the gargens were being planted and there was some birds around but the place didn't feel the same.
I wouldn't recommend to anyone that they don't see this place it is still an interesing place to visit but I feel what they are doing there has spoilt it for me.

Go for it!

george g...

Offline roger

  • Regulars
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 88
    • View Profile
    • http://
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #109 on: September 26, 2007, 05:03:11 PM »
Quote from: George
Quote from: shinaria
Whata hard trip to paradise! As I wandered through your pics I mentioned that somebody else is doing  Eleftheris' job now?! http://www.flickr.com/photos/pat-neary/135...57601938675708/ Impossible to imagine a day on the beach without him! What a pity! Does anybody know if he gave up his service ? That would be a great loss! Hope he was just on holidays ...

Hungry for a doughnut
shinaria

I was told that his brother was standing in for him, evidently he suffers from arthritis and was having a bad day. Not the ideal job with that condition. Anyway I did see him again on the beach and on his usual form, so he hasn't given up just yet!  

george g...


Yes , the uusal doughnut man was on the beach some times when I was there - which was the same two weeks as George - and he still runs the business but there was someone else most days - I was told it was his son in law but who knows ? I did not know about the arthritis but that would explain why someelse often stands in . The replacement though has not been breifed properly - he just tells you he has doughnuts . A holiday in Plakias is not quite the same without hearing the wonderful incantation of - A doughnut a day keeps all the doctorez away - and doctorez , George . is not one of my infamous typos but the way he pronounces the word - or No need for viagra you have doughnuts

roger

Offline George

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1375
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #110 on: September 23, 2008, 12:22:48 PM »
Ah well... perhaps I’ll put that one down to experience. At least I got 8-9 days in Plakias; the last four days were a bit of a blur thanks to XL.com.
Still I did get back, courteously of an ‘Olympic Executive’ flight. Ok, it cost me an arm and a leg, but I might just try that again!

Tried Sophia for a change and Sifis, the Kleftico in Sophia was amazing and gave Lito’s version a run for her money, and just had to find out what a ‘chicken chop’ was in Sifis.

The Aredena road is now for beginners, dare I say wimps. I found the Kalikratis to Kapsodassos road eventually, which is now my adrenaline rush, which I need for some reason every year.
Frightening, and when a bloody great truck came at me from the opposite direction... ‘Pampers’ came to mind!
Until I read my diary, I wont remember what else I did, but one thing I do know is that I need a holiday!!

My sincere thanks to all the locals who helped out during the crisis, and Maria at Flisvos was an absolute diamond, to name but one. The others know who they are and make Plakias what it is, and if Leandra ever reads this, the drink I promised you is still on for next year.

george g...

I forgot to add the fact that this year was my 13th visit, so blame it all on me!!

g...
« Last Edit: September 23, 2008, 01:14:32 PM by George »

Offline Barny

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 872
  • Have I seen you in Kyma?
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #111 on: September 23, 2008, 03:04:13 PM »
Go on, what's a chicken chop?   (sounds like a joke somewhere)

                   Barny.
Fancy a Mythos?

Offline George

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1375
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #112 on: September 23, 2008, 03:14:01 PM »
Quote from: Barny
Go on, what's a chicken chop?   (sounds like a joke somewhere)

                   Barny.
I must admit Barny I thought it was, then it came up on several menus, so had to go for it.
I get the impression the chicken has just been hacked into bits, sort of like 'chop' size, and just grilled like you would a lamb or pork chop. Once you get the hang of how to eat them, 'cause you do get a few of them, they're OK! Would'nt go mad on them, but the best way to eat them is to pick them up as if they were wings. But they can be a bit boney!

george g...

Offline Mike from Sussex

  • Regulars
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 209
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #113 on: October 10, 2008, 03:06:29 PM »

Been back a week from our fortnight in Plakias.

Flights on Monarch were on time, but Heraklion airport is still a hellhole.

Met John and Gillian, Chris and Mandy and Paul and Marge. Nice to see you all. Did not see Boxerlover (John and Tom) though I thought they we due there, but we did see Bouzouki on the beach, barking at and chasing a hippy (see below). Did they fall foul of XL?

Only saw one goose this year. I think some locals had a good Christmas!

The weather was pretty mixed in the first week, with a fair amount of rain, but improved for the second. We had three days windy enough to go to Souda rather than stay in Plakias.

Prices were generally up 5 to 10% from two years ago, but the 15% drop in the value of sterling in addition, plus the cost of getting sorted from the XL failure, made this a more expensive break than we ever imagined it would be. Oh well.

Beach stories:

Most days an elderly German hippy (stick thin with a longish white beard) would appear from the East, at the water’s edge, jogging along and calling out to the people, dressed only in a hat, and disappear towards the town. Watched him as far as the lifeguard tower on one occasion and he was still going strong.

One morning we were leaving our room for some beds at the far end when my wife ran back in, crying “My earrings! I feel undressed without them!” I am sure that makes perfect sense to the ladies of the forum.

One morning we passed a couple lying out beside the path onto the far end opposite the Paligremnos, about 10 yards from the road, sunbathing naked. Later the woman walked past our beds, wearing a full one piece bathing costume, and went for a swim. When she came out, she went under the shower, removed the costume, rinsed it out, then carried it back to her spot by the road, hung the suit in a tree to dry and lay down to sunbathe again. Even my wife could not follow the logic of that one.

Here's to a less frought year in 2009.

Mike and Chris

Offline harribobs

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1830
    • Yahoo Instant Messenger - harribobs
    • View Profile
    • http://themanchesters.org
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #114 on: October 10, 2008, 11:19:28 PM »
great to meet you as well Mike!

we had the one rainy day in Plakias, god it was an awful one tho! but we managed to miss the rest of the rain. the fuel shortage in the first week was a bit of a pain in the arse for us

John and Tom were there, but i'll let them tell their own story



Quote from: Mike from Sussex
Most days an elderly German hippy (stick thin with a longish white beard) would appear from the East, at the water’s edge, jogging along and calling out to the people, dressed only in a hat, and disappear towards the town. Watched him as far as the lifeguard tower on one occasion and he was still going strong.

Mike and Chris

i saw this guy a couple of times...  quite amusing but either a total idiot or an acid casualty  

we stayed with babbi at the medousa which was absolutely first class and i think has spoiled us now  

Offline harribobs

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1830
    • Yahoo Instant Messenger - harribobs
    • View Profile
    • http://themanchesters.org
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #115 on: October 10, 2008, 11:47:25 PM »
i suppose i should add some pics  

we did meet some great new friends



« Last Edit: August 13, 2009, 09:11:08 PM by harribobs »

Offline harribobs

  • Regulars
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1830
    • Yahoo Instant Messenger - harribobs
    • View Profile
    • http://themanchesters.org
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #116 on: October 11, 2008, 11:48:41 PM »
deleted
« Last Edit: August 13, 2009, 09:09:55 PM by harribobs »

Offline Noopsy

  • Sponsors
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 497
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #117 on: October 15, 2008, 02:21:33 PM »
Very fetching too, Mandy!  
Ελευθερία ή θάνατος

Offline JaneGary

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 30
    • View Profile
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #118 on: October 15, 2008, 04:22:51 PM »
Re Spinalonga.
In abt1982 I had a trip there with my parents and sister. For some reason we were mad enough to hire a very small boat with a small motor and just chugged across the sea. Except that the sea was very choppy away from land and my arthritic disabled sister had to lie flat in the bottom of the boat to feel safe. I just thought I was going to die.

Spinalonga was great and eerie seeing the skeletons in their graves.

Then we had to grit our teeth and chug back!!

Will be arriving in Crete on 26th Oct - can't wait - fingers crossed for benign weather gods.

Regards
Jane

Offline compage

  • Regulars
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • http://www.compage.com
    • Email
Reporting In
« Reply #119 on: August 13, 2009, 08:48:02 PM »
Quote from: harribobs
and...


Hi Chris,
Broken link here, and the one above.
John Page