Plakias Forums

Plakias => Where to stay => Topic started by: Barny on September 08, 2009, 10:35:02 AM

Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on September 08, 2009, 10:35:02 AM
Hello all,
I am just looking at the Olympic site for next year and they are offering the Irida studios. On the map i can locate this accommodation being opposite the Santa Maria,  but the Olympic site states that it has a pool and it unsuitable for wheel chair users and the infirm and to bring a torch for night.
Is this the same place or have I missed something?
This place was the very first place I stayed at in 1989 and was known as the Pension Paligremnos also the youth hostel was opposite!

                     Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Dave&Les on September 08, 2009, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: Barny
Hello all,
I am just looking at the Olympic site for next year and they are offering the Irida studios. On the map i can locate this accommodation being opposite the Santa Maria,  but the Olympic site states that it has a pool and it unsuitable for wheel chair users and the infirm and to bring a torch for night.
Is this the same place or have I missed something?
This place was the very first place I stayed at in 1989 and was known as the Pension Paligremnos also the youth hostel was opposite!

                     Barny.

Hi Barny

I think this is the same place as it is opposite the Santa Maria. We had friends stay there in the 90's and in recent years it has been updated & is owned by Monolis Kalatzidaka ( one of the Paligremnos sons) I quess it could have been the original Paligremnos? We know that Monolis put a swimming pool in a couple of years ago.
Not a bad place to stay, only a short stroll down to the beach & probably a good standard ( we have stayed at the Paligremnos for the last 15 years) and Plakias for 20 + years.

Plakias is like a magnet to us!!!
 
Regards

Dave&Les
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on September 08, 2009, 01:20:48 PM
Yes that must be the one. Thanks.
All those years and I wonder how many times we walked past each other!

                  Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on September 08, 2009, 01:32:14 PM
That last picture is definately the Irida opposite the Santa Maria Barny. I've stayed in that top floor room a couple of times, but I can't say I remember the pool being put in. It wasn't there when I was there, and I don't remember seeing in over the last few years.

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on September 08, 2009, 01:38:03 PM
Quote from: Barny
Hello all,
I am just looking at the Olympic site for next year and they are offering the Irida studios. On the map i can locate this accommodation being opposite the Santa Maria,  but the Olympic site states that it has a pool and it unsuitable for wheel chair users and the infirm and to bring a torch for night.
Is this the same place or have I missed something?
This place was the very first place I stayed at in 1989 and was known as the Pension Paligremnos also the youth hostel was opposite!

                     Barny.
Hello Barny,
 
It is indeed opposite Santa Maria and is an 8-10 minute slightly downhill walk on the main road to the supermarket just before the Alianthos hotels. There is even a newly constructed pavement on the road. You won't need a torch unless the Irida itself is poorly lit. It does have a pool.

I became friendly with a couple who were staying there when I was in Plakias in May and they said it was good.

Mike

p.s. Olympic prices for 2010 are down on 2009 and don't forget that the price Olympic offers when you phone in is always less than the internet price.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on September 10, 2009, 07:34:58 AM
Has anybody else noticed that the Olympic website is only showing prices for 2010 at Kostas, Dora & Irida.
All other properties have no prices displayed in the price panels.

Could this be because they have not negotiated next years rates yet, or are they dropping them?

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: dreamofgreece on September 26, 2009, 03:24:14 PM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Has anybody else noticed that the Olympic website is only showing prices for 2010 at Kostas, Dora & Irida.
All other properties have no prices displayed in the price panels.

Could this be because they have not negotiated next years rates yet, or are they dropping them?

Peter&Dawn

The brochure for 2010 is the same. I will be staying at the Santa Maria in a few days time but it is not included for 2010. There seems to be a general trend to withdraw closer to the airports. I have checked a number of brochures for 2010 and resorts previously listed have disapeared. i.e Paleochora and Myrtos. There is very little now listed for the south coast of Crete.

Derek.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: travellingran on September 27, 2009, 08:59:38 PM
Quote from: dreamofgreece
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Has anybody else noticed that the Olympic website is only showing prices for 2010 at Kostas, Dora & Irida.
All other properties have no prices displayed in the price panels.

Could this be because they have not negotiated next years rates yet, or are they dropping them?

Peter&Dawn

The brochure for 2010 is the same. I will be staying at the Santa Maria in a few days time but it is not included for 2010. There seems to be a general trend to withdraw closer to the airports. I have checked a number of brochures for 2010 and resorts previously listed have disapeared. i.e Paleochora and Myrtos. There is very little now listed for the south coast of Crete.

Derek.


You are quite right , Derek . Since Kosmar pulled out there are sadly no packages to Palaeochora from the UK. There are some from Germany I think.

I have stayed at Santa Maria and the Irida looked pretty good over the road . Nice pool away from the wind.

I seem to remember that last year some people who had booked for the Santa Maria found themselves transferred to the Irida. Or am I hallucinating again  ?. Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: travellingran on September 27, 2009, 09:02:45 PM
Quote from: dreamofgreece
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Has anybody else noticed that the Olympic website is only showing prices for 2010 at Kostas, Dora & Irida.
All other properties have no prices displayed in the price panels.

Could this be because they have not negotiated next years rates yet, or are they dropping them?

Peter&Dawn

The brochure for 2010 is the same. I will be staying at the Santa Maria in a few days time but it is not included for 2010. There seems to be a general trend to withdraw closer to the airports. I have checked a number of brochures for 2010 and resorts previously listed have disapeared. i.e Paleochora and Myrtos. There is very little now listed for the south coast of Crete.

Derek.


You are quite right , Derek . Since Kosmar pulled out there are sadly no packages to Palaeochora from the UK. There are some from Germany, I think.

I have stayed at Santa Maria and the Irida looked pretty good over the road . Nice pool away from the wind.

I seem to remember that last year some people who had booked for the Santa Maria found themselves transferred to the Irida. Or am I hallucinating again  ?. Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on September 28, 2009, 07:12:42 AM
[/quote]


I seem to remember that last year some people who had booked for the Santa Maria found themselves transferred to the Irida. Or am I hallucinating again  ?. Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.
[/quote]

I think the transfers were to Costas and not the Irida.

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: dreamofgreece on September 28, 2009, 06:15:23 PM
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: dreamofgreece
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Has anybody else noticed that the Olympic website is only showing prices for 2010 at Kostas, Dora & Irida.
All other properties have no prices displayed in the price panels.

Could this be because they have not negotiated next years rates yet, or are they dropping them?

Peter&Dawn

The brochure for 2010 is the same. I will be staying at the Santa Maria in a few days time but it is not included for 2010. There seems to be a general trend to withdraw closer to the airports. I have checked a number of brochures for 2010 and resorts previously listed have disapeared. i.e Paleochora and Myrtos. There is very little now listed for the south coast of Crete.

Derek.


You are quite right , Derek . Since Kosmar pulled out there are sadly no packages to Palaeochora from the UK. There are some from Germany I think.


I have stayed at Santa Maria and the Irida looked pretty good over the road . Nice pool away from the wind.

I seem to remember that last year some people who had booked for the Santa Maria found themselves transferred to the Irida. Or am I hallucinating again  ?. Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.

Despite it's many faults Kosmar is sadly missed. It covered more locations in Greece than any other company. It had an interest in Greece because it's owner was Greek but this interest died as soon as XL took over.

Derek.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on September 28, 2009, 06:25:04 PM
Quote from: travellingran
Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.

I don't know the place but it's always looked quite nice from the outside - intrigued to know what's odd about it?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 05, 2009, 02:16:30 PM
The Irida Apartments is now the Hotel Irida
Check this one out, thanks to Barny for this:

http://www.irida-plakias.gr/ (http://www.irida-plakias.gr/)

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 05, 2009, 06:17:34 PM
Quote from: George
The Irida Apartments is now the Hotel Irida
Check this one out, thanks to Barny for this:

[url]http://www.irida-plakias.gr/[/url] ([url]http://www.irida-plakias.gr/[/url])

george...


And for anyone interested in Irida, here's a photo taken this year looking into the back of Irida with the entrance to Santa Maria behind it (left) on the other side of the road. I must say the video on the irida site makes the most of the place.
[attachment=695:Crete___...0909_181.jpg]
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 06, 2009, 02:09:50 PM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Quote from: travellingran
Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.

I don't know the place but it's always looked quite nice from the outside - intrigued to know what's odd about it?
It's odd in one respect in that the front apartments have a nice outlook and the ones at the back have a poor one, overlooking a partly finished building (or it was in May 2008). I liked it there; it might be a little too far out for some, about 8 mins from the supermarket at the east end of town. The road to the east out of Plakias is now pavemented at least as far as SM. As someone else has said, Olympic seems to have dropped it for 2010 in favour of Irida.

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 06, 2009, 02:48:29 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Quote from: travellingran
Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.

I don't know the place but it's always looked quite nice from the outside - intrigued to know what's odd about it?
It's odd in one respect in that the front apartments have a nice outlook and the ones at the back have a poor one, overlooking a partly finished building (or it was in May 2008). I liked it there; it might be a little too far out for some, about 8 mins from the supermarket at the east end of town. The road to the east out of Plakias is now pavemented at least as far as SM. As someone else has said, Olympic seems to have dropped it for 2010 in favour of Irida.

Mike
If I remember correctly Mike, all the rooms face south (right hand side when viewing from the front). The north side is a walkway to the front doors to the apartments.

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 07, 2009, 01:20:13 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Quote from: travellingran
Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.

I don't know the place but it's always looked quite nice from the outside - intrigued to know what's odd about it?
It's odd in one respect in that the front apartments have a nice outlook and the ones at the back have a poor one, overlooking a partly finished building (or it was in May 2008). I liked it there; it might be a little too far out for some, about 8 mins from the supermarket at the east end of town. The road to the east out of Plakias is now pavemented at least as far as SM. As someone else has said, Olympic seems to have dropped it for 2010 in favour of Irida.

Mike
If I remember correctly Mike, all the rooms face south (right hand side when viewing from the front). The north side is a walkway to the front doors to the apartments.

george...
I don't think you are right George, unless my memory is playing tricks. If that were correct there would only be 5 apartments at SM, two on the ground floor, two on the first and one on the second, this one being a large one stretching across the whole width of the property. I thought there were four or five that faced north at the back whose access was also at the back. The Olympic website says there are 8 units at SM.

Mike


Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 07, 2009, 01:36:06 PM
Quote from: Mike G
I don't think you are right George, unless my memory is playing tricks. If that were correct there would only be 5 apartments at SM, two on the ground floor, two on the first and one on the second, this one being a large one stretching across the whole width of the property. I thought there were four or five that faced north at the back whose access was also at the back. The Olympic website says there are 8 units at SM.

Mike
You're right Mike, I was thinking Irida.
SM does have rooms around the back, I think Olympic had them this year. Nice views, if you like concrete!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 07, 2009, 02:17:03 PM
I stayed at SM and had a back room overlooking a concrete wall. Also the stairs to the top room overlooked my room and people got a good look when they went up to the top room!

                            Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 07, 2009, 02:22:03 PM
Sounds ominous Barny!! And what might you be up to then?

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: dreamofgreece on October 22, 2009, 07:45:06 AM
Quote from: Barny
I stayed at SM and had a back room overlooking a concrete wall. Also the stairs to the top room overlooked my room and people got a good look when they went up to the top room!

                            Barny.

We have just returned from Plakias after our second visit to Santa Maria. The first time we had the two room apartment on the top floor which was very good. This time we had the two room apartment on the ground floor at the front. This apartment had two bathrooms but the smallest kitchen I have ever seen and it was supposed to be for four people. All other rooms are studios and 50% of them are at the back looking directly at a concrete wall and are very dark. The one front ground floor studio which was rented last year is now used by the owners wife or ex wife who speaks only Greek and spends her time chasing the cats with a stick. Her husband lives off site but spends his days in the office at the head of the drive. He is a miserable grumpy person who is now even more grumpy since he has been dropped by Olympic probably due to the number of complaints about the concrete wall.

Derek.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 23, 2009, 01:30:52 PM
Quote from: dreamofgreece
Quote from: Barny
I stayed at SM and had a back room overlooking a concrete wall. Also the stairs to the top room overlooked my room and people got a good look when they went up to the top room!

                            Barny.

We have just returned from Plakias after our second visit to Santa Maria. The first time we had the two room apartment on the top floor which was very good. This time we had the two room apartment on the ground floor at the front. This apartment had two bathrooms but the smallest kitchen I have ever seen and it was supposed to be for four people. All other rooms are studios and 50% of them are at the back looking directly at a concrete wall and are very dark. The one front ground floor studio which was rented last year is now used by the owners wife or ex wife who speaks only Greek and spends her time chasing the cats with a stick. Her husband lives off site but spends his days in the office at the head of the drive. He is a miserable grumpy person who is now even more grumpy since he has been dropped by Olympic probably due to the number of complaints about the concrete wall.

Derek.
The owner looks rather formidable (2008) but I found him friendly enough and enjoyed the fact that he left a carafe of raki in my apartment. He was also very generous with his use of the electric water heater, much to the annoyance of the couple in the apartment you had, who said its buzzing kept them awake. I had the one where you say his ex wife now is. I suspect Olympic dropped SM because of the huge difference in outlook between the front and back apartments. I don't think Irida has this drawback and also has a pool.

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 23, 2009, 02:01:29 PM
Quote from: Mike G
I don't think Irida has this drawback and also has a pool.

Mike
The only problem with the Irida will be the ground floor rooms. Now they have a pool the balconies won't be very private as pool users will be walking past.
So Barny if you're going to be doing something you shouldn't      , get an upstairs room.

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Alan and Jan on October 23, 2009, 04:02:49 PM
Quote from: dreamofgreece
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: dreamofgreece
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Has anybody else noticed that the Olympic website is only showing prices for 2010 at Kostas, Dora & Irida.
All other properties have no prices displayed in the price panels.

Could this be because they have not negotiated next years rates yet, or are they dropping them?

Peter&Dawn

The brochure for 2010 is the same. I will be staying at the Santa Maria in a few days time but it is not included for 2010. There seems to be a general trend to withdraw closer to the airports. I have checked a number of brochures for 2010 and resorts previously listed have disapeared. i.e Paleochora and Myrtos. There is very little now listed for the south coast of Crete.

Derek.


You are quite right , Derek . Since Kosmar pulled out there are sadly no packages to Palaeochora from the UK. There are some from Germany I think.


I have stayed at Santa Maria and the Irida looked pretty good over the road . Nice pool away from the wind.

I seem to remember that last year some people who had booked for the Santa Maria found themselves transferred to the Irida. Or am I hallucinating again  ?. Lucky them I say as the Santa Maria is an odd place all round.

Heather.

Despite it's many faults Kosmar is sadly missed. It covered more locations in Greece than any other company. It had an interest in Greece because it's owner was Greek but this interest died as soon as XL took over.

Derek.

Bit of good news. A company called Goldtrail now do Paleochora. Specialists in Turkey but they have set on a lot of Kosmar staff to look after there new Greek side. have gone into many of the old Kosmar accommodations.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 24, 2009, 12:21:42 PM

So Barny if you're going to be doing something you shouldn't      , get an upstairs room.

george...
[/quote]

Me George ? Something I shouldn't ? Chance would be a fine thing !!

                Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 24, 2009, 02:20:34 PM
Quote from: Alan and Jan
Bit of good news. A company called Goldtrail now do Paleochora. Specialists in Turkey but they have set on a lot of Kosmar staff to look after there new Greek side. have gone into many of the old Kosmar accommodations.

Yes it is good news for them as they are a realistic alternative to Plakias. I hope I'm not risking expulsion from this forum if I advertise that they also have a website, including a forum.

http://www.thepaleochorasite.com/ (http://www.thepaleochorasite.com/)

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Noopsy on November 02, 2009, 09:44:27 PM
No reason why you should be: Paleochora is a perfectly nice place (isn't it harribobs?)...but Plakias is nicer.  

Noopsy
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Ploppy on November 02, 2009, 10:35:06 PM
Quote from: Mike G
I hope I'm not risking expulsion from this forum if I advertise that they also have a website, including a forum.

[url]http://www.thepaleochorasite.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.thepaleochorasite.com/[/url])

Mike


Of course not, good to see other places that people enthuse about. Also give me some ideas/encouragement for a site revamp.

Title: Irida studios
Post by: harribobs on November 05, 2009, 09:47:17 PM
Quote from: Noopsy 500
No reason why you should be: Paleochora is a perfectly nice place (isn't it harribobs?)...but Plakias is nicer.  

Noopsy


I love both places  
Title: Irida studios
Post by: spottttttt on November 06, 2009, 04:45:19 PM
Quote from: harribobs
Quote from: Noopsy 500
No reason why you should be: Paleochora is a perfectly nice place (isn't it harribobs?)...but Plakias is nicer.  

Noopsy


I love both places  
Me two, paradise
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 11, 2009, 03:07:26 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: Barny
Hello all,
I am just looking at the Olympic site for next year and they are offering the Irida studios. On the map i can locate this accommodation being opposite the Santa Maria,  but the Olympic site states that it has a pool and it unsuitable for wheel chair users and the infirm and to bring a torch for night.
Is this the same place or have I missed something?
This place was the very first place I stayed at in 1989 and was known as the Pension Paligremnos also the youth hostel was opposite!

                     Barny.
Hello Barny,
 
It is indeed opposite Santa Maria and is an 8-10 minute slightly downhill walk on the main road to the supermarket just before the Alianthos hotels. There is even a newly constructed pavement on the road. You won't need a torch unless the Irida itself is poorly lit. It does have a pool.

I became friendly with a couple who were staying there when I was in Plakias in May and they said it was good.

Mike

p.s. Olympic prices for 2010 are down on 2009 and don't forget that the price Olympic offers when you phone in is always less than the internet price.

I just phoned them and the internet price is the same as the phone price.
                              Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 11, 2009, 03:13:26 PM
So did you book it Barny? Remember what I told you!!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 11, 2009, 05:54:49 PM
George,
I just booked it. 3rd August for two weeks, high floor room !!
       
                                           Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 12, 2009, 09:17:52 AM
You know it makes sense Barny! And the top floor is a good idea, just in case  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on November 12, 2009, 01:46:26 PM
Quote from: George
You know it makes sense Barny! And the top floor is a good idea, just in case  

george...
May one enquire, just in case of what George?

Regarding whether the "phone price" is less than the "internet price" they confirmed this to me back in August and indeed it was. However a friend booked Kostas Chrysoulla last week and the two prices were the same, as Barny found. Dora is already fully booked for many departure dates. Interestingly they are offering 10 and 11 day holidays for Irida and some of the other accommodations, which I have not noticed before with Olympic.

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 12, 2009, 01:52:00 PM
Sorry Mike, private joke!    

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 12, 2009, 03:07:17 PM
Just looking at Easter flights, I can get one from somewhere called 'Gatwick' to Heraklion and get a car rental to plakias.! Is much open in the way of rooms in March/April? I would search but not much happens! Has anyone stayed at this time?

                                Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 12, 2009, 03:21:28 PM
It might be worth emailing a few places Barny, we got mail addy's for the majority of the accommadation down there so that's probably your best bet.
Never been other than for the 'hot' period Barny but I'm sure there's a few who have.
Maybe Santa might be able to answer your question.

Gatwick is very fussy about who they let through there Barny so it might be a good idea to get vetted first, that's if you haven't already.  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 12, 2009, 06:27:27 PM
Vetted? You mean they might find out about the...........?

                            Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Daisy on November 12, 2009, 11:12:55 PM
Quote from: Barny
Just looking at Easter flights, I can get one from somewhere called 'Gatwick' to Heraklion and get a car rental to plakias.! Is much open in the way of rooms in March/April? I would search but not much happens! Has anyone stayed at this time?

                                Barny.
The  Morpheus Apts open all year round

                                                          Daisy
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 13, 2009, 08:17:16 AM
Quote from: Barny
Vetted? You mean they might find out about the...........?

                            Barny.
They're very thorough Barny, so that's highly likely! The proceedures are painless and some can be quite pleasureable.  
It's the sound of the rubber gloves snapping on that's a bit off putting  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 13, 2009, 12:04:14 PM
George, I have to use rubber gloves a lot at work so I look forward to being on the receiving end for a change ! ( or do i ) Ruth might be interested too !
How did we get onto this?

                 Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 13, 2009, 12:56:20 PM
You mentioned 'somewhere called Gatwick' Barny and it went from there.
My sense of humour runs riot sometimes    And it gets me into trouble at times!!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Ploppy on November 13, 2009, 01:56:10 PM
I worry about you two, I really do
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Santa on November 13, 2009, 02:07:10 PM
Quote from: Barny
Just looking at Easter flights, I can get one from somewhere called 'Gatwick' to Heraklion and get a car rental to plakias.! Is much open in the way of rooms in March/April? I would search but not much happens! Has anyone stayed at this time?

                                Barny.
Barney-
Easter typically kicks off the tourist  season in the islands and in 2010 Easter is on April 4- March is tpically a  month for sprucing/.cleaning /fixing up- You will find accomodations in March and certainly April. BY then also the many restaurants are open-
Good luck-
Santa
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on November 13, 2009, 08:06:39 PM
Quote from: Barny
George,
I just booked it. 3rd August for two weeks, high floor room !!
       
                                           Barny.

Look after the place Barny, we have just booked 2 weeks from 17th August.    

Waiting for you now George,

Peter&Dawn


Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 14, 2009, 07:18:39 PM
Thanks for the info, Santa especially! I will get looking now, it will be strange being there at that time but look forward  to a 'different' aspect of the village?
Peter and Dawn, I will leave one in for you both!
George, This place called Gatwick, is it a small airport? with propeller planes? and is the runway clear of cattle? moooooove over!

                               Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 16, 2009, 08:36:56 AM
Quote from: Ploppy
I worry about you two, I really do
So do I Paul, but it's out of control now!!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 16, 2009, 11:02:53 AM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Quote from: Barny
George,
I just booked it. 3rd August for two weeks, high floor room !!
       
                                           Barny.

Look after the place Barny, we have just booked 2 weeks from 17th August.    

Waiting for you now George,

Peter&Dawn
If you think I'm replying to this Pete, you have another think coming. You only sit 6' away from me.

Oh!    I just did didn't I    it's the SAD syndrome, it kicked in early this year.

I NEED SUNSHINE!!!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 16, 2009, 11:09:38 AM
Quote from: Barny
Thanks for the info, Santa especially! I will get looking now, it will be strange being there at that time but look forward  to a 'different' aspect of the village?
Peter and Dawn, I will leave one in for you both!
George, This place called Gatwick, is it a small airport? with propeller planes? and is the runway clear of cattle? moooooove over!

                               Barny.
I wouldn't say it was enormous Barny, but on a bad day the check in queue can end in Brighton.
Oh, and the smaller planes are fitted with Cow bars, the big ones scare them away, but the Alpacas can be a pain, stubborn little critters!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Noopsy on November 21, 2009, 05:32:57 PM
Quote from: George
but the Alpacas can be a pain, stubborn little critters!  

george...
Yeh, some pilots rev their engines just before take-off - that usually sends them packing. :-

Noopsy
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 21, 2009, 07:14:29 PM
Oh Dear !!!
Mind you, Some bloke tried to sell me eight legs of venison while I was in the pub. He wanted £50.00  was that too dear?

                 Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 23, 2009, 08:13:34 AM
That's an allamaing price Barny!!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on July 26, 2010, 02:07:54 PM
Quote from: Alan and Jan
Bit of good news. A company called Goldtrail now do Paleochora. Specialists in Turkey but they have set on a lot of Kosmar staff to look after there new Greek side. have gone into many of the old Kosmar accommodations.
Paleohora isn't having a lot of luck is it; first Kosmar goes belly up then Goldtrail. Shame. I wonder if anyone else goes to Paleohora.

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: spottttttt on July 26, 2010, 08:21:21 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: Alan and Jan
Bit of good news. A company called Goldtrail now do Paleochora. Specialists in Turkey but they have set on a lot of Kosmar staff to look after there new Greek side. have gone into many of the old Kosmar accommodations.
Paleohora isn't having a lot of luck is it; first Kosmar goes belly up then Goldtrail. Shame. I wonder if anyone else goes to Paleohora.

Mike
We were in Paleochora  at the end of June, then we had a couple of nights in Sfakion, visited Sweetwater, then on to Plakias , spent most of the time fending off would be masseurs at far end!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Noopsy on July 27, 2010, 11:53:49 PM
Quote from: spottttttt
spent most of the time fending off would be masseurs at far end!
Oh dear!  Does this mean the end of our precious peace and quiet?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on July 28, 2010, 08:53:56 AM
Quote from: Noopsy 500
Quote from: spottttttt
spent most of the time fending off would be masseurs at far end!
Oh dear!  Does this mean the end of our precious peace and quiet?
Don't knock it until you've tried it Noops, evidently it's very popular in Thailand!    

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Susan K on July 28, 2010, 01:45:05 PM
They better not come near me  
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on July 28, 2010, 02:23:47 PM
Quote from: Susan K
They better not come near me  
   

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Noopsy on August 03, 2010, 06:59:49 PM
My strategy will be talk to them in Greek: hopefully they will take me for a local, and leave me alone.  

Noopsy
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 06, 2010, 10:47:20 AM
[attachment=747:Beach_Massage.jpg]

I must admit that the idea of a beach massage is waneing somewhat. The masseuse is slightly overdressed for the far end in my opinion.

(Pic courtesy of Barny, nothing else to do but lay on the beach watching a woman getting a massage.    )

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 18, 2010, 08:17:48 PM
They hold a laminated card in front of you with the prices on. I suggest you all take a laminated card with yes or no on it and show it back! and ask freddi to talk to you in his new 'brummie' accent! I will tell more soon!

                Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 19, 2010, 12:20:00 PM
Quote from: Barny
and ask freddi to talk to you in his new 'brummie' accent! I will tell more soon!

                Barny.
That's not a new accent Barny, he's been winding everyone up for years telling us he's from Albania, he's from Birmingham  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 20, 2010, 10:40:51 AM
Anyway, I did Timos Stavros at last !  Took me about one and a half hours to get there, nearly gave up twice as I never seemed to get near the top! not bad seeing as I was only wearing deck shoes, a vest and beach shorts with my back pack and half a litre of water!
the view is just amazing! If anyone gets a chance to do this, it must be done. Maybe not in August at nearly mid day! It was a bit warm but I think I lost about two million calories!
Bring on the Mythos!

                                         Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 20, 2010, 11:31:06 AM
Quote from: Barny
Anyway, I did Timos Stavros at last !  Took me about one and a half hours to get there, nearly gave up twice as I never seemed to get near the top! not bad seeing as I was only wearing deck shoes, a vest and beach shorts with my back pack and half a litre of water!
the view is just amazing! If anyone gets a chance to do this, it must be done. Maybe not in August at nearly mid day! It was a bit warm but I think I lost about two million calories!
Bring on the Mythos!

                                         Barny.
Have you got a death wish Barny? Timos Stavros, during the day, in August!!        

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 20, 2010, 12:55:13 PM
I realised I should have worn more suitable footwar etc  but it had to be done! Afew liquids were downed on my return to lefkogia!

                            Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Noopsy on August 21, 2010, 09:10:41 AM
Quote from: Barny
They hold a laminated card in front of you with the prices on. I suggest you all take a laminated card with yes or no on it and show it back! and ask freddi to talk to you in his new 'brummie' accent! I will tell more soon!

Barny.


Alternatively, talk to them in a mixture of Greek and Polish.  They give up, and never bother you again.  

Noopsy
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 23, 2010, 08:52:29 AM
Quote from: Noopsy 500
Quote from: Barny
They hold a laminated card in front of you with the prices on. I suggest you all take a laminated card with yes or no on it and show it back! and ask freddi to talk to you in his new 'brummie' accent! I will tell more soon!

Barny.


Alternatively, talk to them in a mixture of Greek and Polish.  They give up, and never bother you again.  

Noopsy
What nationality are these guys then Noops/Barny?
george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 23, 2010, 09:18:55 AM
A touch on the oriental side George. But probably live in Skegness!

                                  Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 23, 2010, 09:28:16 AM
Quote from: Barny
A touch on the oriental side George. But probably live in Skegness!

                                  Barny.
You didn't succumb to their oriental charms then Barny?  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 23, 2010, 01:33:48 PM
I could just manage some flied lice!
That reminds me, I phoned my local chinese take away and asked if they deliver. The reply was, no, just chicken beef or pork !!
Sorry !

                                                   Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 23, 2010, 01:41:58 PM
OMG!!      

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 23, 2010, 05:52:30 PM
We wont mention that the chicken was 'rubbery' then?

                                    Barny
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 27, 2010, 10:03:49 AM
Ok Barny, besides watching naked women on the beach getting a massage, having a bit of a stroll up a hill and rubbery chicken, what else went on, besides the obvious over indulgence of the local brews.
Your report should have been on my desk days ago!!    

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 27, 2010, 02:19:27 PM
Sorry George,
Umm, I enjoyed Harakas and Lyseos, Sifis is good, Kyma is good. It was very hot with no wind 'till the last two days! Good breakfast at livicon and kyma and on and on and on...........
Didn't like all the constant road noise at the Irida, hard to sleep every night but a few 'drinks' put me right! Would not stay there again though.
Met a great couple from Walsall, Catherine and Martin, hopefully they might post on the board soon (good luck with the house sale) freddi was mocking their accent somewhat!  Bostin, ay it?
Ali and Dave hide in the new supermarket opposite the old one Dave worked in. Spent every evening in Kyma talking to Pavlos and putting the world right!
Be interesting to see if anyone elsw has noticed a price rise/smaller portions ?
 
                                  Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 31, 2010, 08:50:35 AM
Quote from: Barny
Sorry George,
...........
Be interesting to see if anyone elsw has noticed a price rise/smaller portions ?
 
                                  Barny.
Just had a friend come back from Rhodes, 8 euros for a sunbed and 5-6 euros average for drinks! Whoops!
Is this a sign of the times?  

Road Noises Barny? You're obviously cutting back on the Raki!!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 31, 2010, 01:04:02 PM
I know!    I live next to a busy main road and was really looking forward to silence but it was not to be.I tried loads of raki but to no avail. it's just amazing how the traffic has increased over the years, not just the volume of but the times, all night sometimes and as for the motor bikes with noisy exhausts!
I still enjoyed my stay though!

                 Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 31, 2010, 01:55:06 PM
Quote from: Barny
I know!    I live next to a busy main road and was really looking forward to silence but it was not to be.I tried loads of raki but to no avail. it's just amazing how the traffic has increased over the years, not just the volume of but the times, all night sometimes and as for the motor bikes with noisy exhausts!
I still enjoyed my stay though!

                 Barny.
I never had any problems, even when I stayed at Flisvos Barny, and I had one of the front rooms.
Maybe they're watering down the Raki   heaven forbid!!  

So why so much traffic through the night? Is Plakias staying open later? OK the bars will stay open, some later than others, but the tavernas close as soon as they can! And all the shops are shut!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on August 31, 2010, 03:50:07 PM
I think you will find at Flisvos the traffic 'cruised' past but once on the open road it's time to accelerate and get home quick! There also seems to be a lot of heavy goods stuff moving around in the early hours too but the last time i stayed near the road in plakias must have been over ten years ago!
Ask your collegues about it on theire return? Bet it was quiet then!

                   Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on August 31, 2010, 03:59:03 PM
Quote from: Barny
I think you will find at Flisvos the traffic 'cruised' past but once on the open road it's time to accelerate and get home quick! There also seems to be a lot of heavy goods stuff moving around in the early hours too but the last time i stayed near the road in plakias must have been over ten years ago!
Ask your collegues about it on theire return? Bet it was quiet then!

                   Barny.
I must admit that the traffic was slow outside Flisvos, but the bikes always went for it.

I'm sure we'll all get a full report from Pete and Dawn over the next few days.

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 16, 2010, 02:21:41 PM
Quote from: George
Just had a friend come back from Rhodes, 8 euros for a sunbed and 5-6 euros average for drinks! Whoops!
Is this a sign of the times?  

george...
Hello George,

I'm pleased to report that the excellent house wine in Mousses is still 2.40€ a half litre and their food prices are unchanged too. Only difference is that the seafront tavernas just east of Ostraco no longer have extensive boards of set meals. Mythos still 2.50€ for a large bottle in tavernas even though they are up to 1.20€ in supermarkets. That said the SM near Alianthos had 3 Horses, a Dutch beer, for 0.67€ a large can. Should you be so foolish, you could buy a litre of Teacher's for ca. 22€ and a litre of Gordon's for ca. 21€ at the so called duty free shop at the airport. Even ouzo was at least 11€ a ltre, little different from Plakias shops. Not surprisingly the till assistants weren't too busy.  

The development near Palegremnos has only progressed slowly and I wonder if any are sold. Freddie updated me on a few people and even told me that he is an electrician in the winter. Lefteris is now retired and when I enquired how old he is it transpires he is no older than me! His brother didn't keep up the donut round for long, being hindered by the lack of his brother's patter and a lack of English.

As others have reported Plakias is much busier in autumn than spring and popular tavernas such as Medousa and Mousses were full by 8pm.

The only downside was that the weather was much duller than I had hoped for although very warm apart from 1 day and you could comfortably sit on the beach without the sun.

Returning next year George?

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 16, 2010, 11:14:37 PM
Interesting info Mike. In another topic I summarised our holiday in Perissa, Santorini. Prices there are quite variable - Large Mythos varied from 2 to 4€. 1/2 litre of wine in restaurants from 3.5 to 4€. No charge late in the season for bars' sunbeds though with several places not even encouraging you to buy a drink. We were there from 28 Sept. to 12 Oct. and had excellent weather other than 2 cool days. I'd assumed that Plakias would have had similar weather as it's 80 miles south of Santorini. I expect we'll be back to Plakias next September. We have booked independently recent years but if there were some great late deals this year so we may well hold off to see what's on offer from Olympic.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 18, 2010, 09:17:21 AM
Quote from: Mike G
Returning next year George?

Mike
I have every intention of indulging myself in two very missed weeks, in Plakias next year Mike. I'm working hard on trying to find a suitable 'travelling' companion, and when I find her, I'll get the booking sorted asap. If not sooner.

What a crazy place Plakias is, why do we all miss it so much, when we're not there? OK, wonderful people, bars and tavernas, beaches, scenery, clear clean seas, wonderful walks, incredible climate, but let's be honest. There are a lot of places that fit that description. So what has Plakias got that we all love so much?
This should keep us going throughout the winter!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 18, 2010, 01:40:52 PM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
We have booked independently recent years but if there were some great late deals this year so we may well hold off to see what's on offer from Olympic.
I believe that Olympic often has late deals which are very good value, and on this forum people have found Plakias can be among them. However, nearly all are for only 1 week and who wants to leave Plakias after so short a time?

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 18, 2010, 01:53:14 PM
Now Olympic have got the Irida back in their portfolio, I'd seriously consider using them again as opposed to being independant.
But I still have a major problem with Heraklion Airport     , I hate the place, and I'd hire a car from the airport, to avoid that awful transfer   .
george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 18, 2010, 02:17:05 PM
Quote from: George
Now Olympic have got the Irida back in their portfolio, I'd seriously consider using them again as opposed to being independant.
But I still have a major problem with Heraklion Airport     , I hate the place, and I'd hire a car from the airport, to avoid that awful transfer   .
george...
George,

The airport was remarkably efficient both inbound and outbound I found. Surprising but true IMHO.

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 18, 2010, 02:31:12 PM
That's good to hear Mike, hopefully if they can get their act together on a more consistant basis, my attitude might change towards them. The last time I was there is was horrendous!
george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: John R on October 18, 2010, 05:30:10 PM
Quote from: George
That's good to hear Mike, hopefully if they can get their act together on a more consistant basis, my attitude might change towards them. The last time I was there is was horrendous!
george...

My experience this year (and last) was that Heraklion airport was actually rather efficient. Even the baggage reclaim came through quickly. The dual queue where one checks in and then has to queue a second time to have the baggage X rayed was very quick (many X ray ports now open). Plenty of seating now for waiting for plane and small cafe open with food and drink. We were on easyjet and their staff were very efficient indeed - matching the easyjet Manchester staff for their high efficiency. It is still a rather stark place to be in but over the last 3 years has improved considerably. Far better than Gatwick going by my one experience in that place some time back.

John
Title: Irida studios
Post by: spottttttt on October 18, 2010, 05:53:24 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: Mike G
Returning next year George?

Mike
I have every intention of indulging myself in two very missed weeks, in Plakias next year Mike. I'm working hard on trying to find a suitable 'travelling' companion, and when I find her, I'll get the booking sorted asap. If not sooner.

What a crazy place Plakias is, why do we all miss it so much, when we're not there? OK, wonderful people, bars and tavernas, beaches, scenery, clear clean seas, wonderful walks, incredible climate, but let's be honest. There are a lot of places that fit that description. So what has Plakias got that we all love so much?
This should keep us going throughout the winter!  

george...
The people and Freddi?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 20, 2010, 02:16:56 PM
''wonderful people, bars and tavernas, beaches, scenery, clear clean seas, wonderful walks, incredible climate''

They're covered spottt..!!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 21, 2010, 09:18:39 AM
I certainly dont go because Freddi is there! ? no offence meant!
I think with me it's a case of as soon as I am there I know where to go, what the beach is like and where to eat and drink without having to worry about what a place is like and will it spoil my break ETC.
But now, after 21 years of Plakias, sometimes twice a year I might just go somewhere else next year just to challenge my brain a little bit. I dont like the thought of not going to Plakias as I have grown so used to the place and the lifestyle there but this year I decided to change as I was getting into the same habit every time, day, breakfast, beach, antonis, beach, room, eat, kyma, room, drink, sleep! which i didnt have a problem with but........
We will see.
Your thoughts?

                          Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 21, 2010, 09:50:09 AM
I totally agree with all of that Barny, and I must admit your daily routine sounds very familiar.  

But why does one get into that routine, what is the attraction that brings people back the second, third, fourth consecutive time?
Most 'normal' people, like to explore the world, and some of us do, but why are we going back to Plakias after that first visit, year after year. I used to have an early holiday around May/June time, basically to find somewhere other than Plakias, but always ended up back there in September.
Is it just because we felt comfortable there, safe, liking and knowing that we will have an enjoyable holiday, and don't want to take a risk on somewhere new?
Beats me!  

george...
I liked the joke BTW!!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 21, 2010, 10:46:40 AM
Is it just because we felt comfortable there, safe, liking and knowing that we will have an enjoyable holiday, and don't want to take a risk on somewhere new?
Beats me!  


Or is it pure laziness!!??
Ruth used to say, "why do you go there all the time? there are other places in the world" and I couldn't find a suitable answer!
Even writing this makes me want to be there next year! Strange.


                Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 21, 2010, 11:28:56 AM
''Ruth used to say, "why do you go there all the time? there are other places in the world" and I couldn't find a suitable answer!''

How many of us, have had that question asked of us? I know I have, and the answer was the same as yours Barny.

Lazyness? Sounds like a 'that'll do kind of place' Barny, and we all know different don't we?

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 21, 2010, 12:34:18 PM
For us, there are several reasons why we yearn to return to Plakias again and again. I used to think that familiarity was what gives us the 'coming home' feeling that we get each time we return but I don't think changes in bar ownership, no doughnuts on the beach etc would make us feel any less at home. The approach to Plakias is the first thing that comes to mind: exiting either of the gorges above Plakias marks a transition from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or, more immediately, the airport. Next, we rarely have plans on what we want to do while on holiday but we know that Plakias has pretty much all we might want: decent bars and restaurants; hills and villages to explore; several beaches within walking distance and plenty of other places to explore by car. The one thing I'd like though, is a better bus service so that wider exploration wouldn't require hiring a car. So far, our 6 holidays have each been very different but not been disappointed so far.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: spottttttt on October 21, 2010, 05:13:08 PM
Freddi wasn't George
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 22, 2010, 10:29:21 AM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
For us, there are several reasons why we yearn to return to Plakias again and again. I used to think that familiarity was what gives us the 'coming home' feeling that we get each time we return but I don't think changes in bar ownership, no doughnuts on the beach etc would make us feel any less at home. The approach to Plakias is the first thing that comes to mind: exiting either of the gorges above Plakias marks a transition from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or, more immediately, the airport. Next, we rarely have plans on what we want to do while on holiday but we know that Plakias has pretty much all we might want: decent bars and restaurants; hills and villages to explore; several beaches within walking distance and plenty of other places to explore by car. The one thing I'd like though, is a better bus service so that wider exploration wouldn't require hiring a car. So far, our 6 holidays have each been very different but not been disappointed so far.
I totally agree with you guys as well, but the question I'm asking is why did you return for a 'second' visit? What is so different about Plakias, that made you return that 'second' time, instead of going somewhere else like normal people would.

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 22, 2010, 01:31:36 PM
I know what you mean George. My first 'abroad' holiday was in1988 when I went to a place called Teneriffe, to me I had never heard of it and it was described as an island off the coast of Africa! sounded perfect ? it was a resort called santa cruz or something and well, you know the rest.
Next year I went to this place called Plakias on an unheard of, to me, island called Crete.
After the two weeks of just holidaying, you can imagine Plakias in 1989? ,I had to come back again, perhaps it was to prove that my last Plakias holiday was a one off and it would never happen again? This was not so and it proved to me that this place could offer me all I needed for a break. I got lots of comments from others about going every year but when they came back from various places with bad memories and medical problems, I just thought, "well I will not have to be like that as I know where to go" ETC.....
I promised myself a different place next year, but it wont be easy!

                          Barny.


Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 22, 2010, 02:03:22 PM
You started late Barny, my first holiday abroad was in 1968 to some place called Lloret de Mar, Spain I think!    

I don't think that there will be any better answers than that Barny, kinda sums it up doesn't it? My first trip to Plakias was in 1993 after 'doing' Rhodes and many other islands (Greek) for many years and stayed at the Erato. Like you I found that it had everything I wanted. So basically, because I'm not that adventurous and I hate travelling, I thought when I left that the holiday had everything, so if my holiday is not broke so to speak, why try fixing it! I re-booked as soon as the Sunmed brochure came out that year and chose Galini Beach apartments, the now Alianthos annexe, top floor room at the front. It just kept getting better, year after year after... and hopefully it will continue!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 22, 2010, 02:19:00 PM
I was only eight in 1968!!  But then I see people at work and ask their date of birth and it's 1990 and some are 1989 ! how can you be born then!!

                       Barny (old fart)
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 22, 2010, 02:33:08 PM
I've got 10 years on you Barny so I was 18. Spain was full of gorgeous single German and Scandinavian women, and yes I did go back again!    
But only once more!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 22, 2010, 02:39:31 PM
To apologise?

          Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on October 22, 2010, 02:50:36 PM
Quote from: Barny
To apologise?

          Barny.


No. To pay the maintenance!!!!!!  

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 22, 2010, 02:52:09 PM
Quote from: Barny
To apologise?

          Barny.
Moi! Apologise! I don't know what you mean Barny!      
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Chris H. on October 22, 2010, 02:57:53 PM
Interesting discussion....
After going on holiday to many, many different places in the world I gave in to the misses finally and agreed to try Greece for a change (the misses had been asking me for years to go there but I always refused, had this strange idea that most Greek men were of the greasy, secondhand cardealer type and all the Greek ladies were fat and moody. No idea how and were I picked up that thought.....
Anyway, I promised the misses we'd go to Greece on the condition that I could pick the destination. So I googled and googled and finally came across this site and was impressed by all the enthousiastic stories about this place Plakias. Oke, let's give it a go and indeed, we loved the place from the very first moment and did not quite understand what it was exactly, something in the air huh? So we came back the second year and still loved it very much but there was also something different in the air: WIND! My oh my, we were there for a month and could not go to the beach for at least half that time so we told each other: this is a bit much for our liking, let's check out another place on the south coast of Crete, so I googled and googled and scanned the whole south coast with Google earth and found this place in the east: Makrigyalos meaning long coast.  Ok now, funny thing is, we liked it just as much as we did Plakias (something in the air huh?) and there was no wind, we went back the second year and guess what? no wind! great!!  Moral of this story: Plakias may be quite unique but it certainly is not the only place on Crete with a certain atmosfere to it, I think we like Mak even a bit more because there is much less wind but also because there is no road between the front row of businesses and the beach. The people are just as welcoming and friendly as in Plak (here, take this raki home with you and also take this oliveoil) and like in Plak one has to chase them at the end of the holiday to pay for the rent and after leaving one has the feeling that one has spent time with family instead of just renting an apartment from someone....so we already booked for next year....
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 22, 2010, 03:13:10 PM
(here, take this raki home with you and also take this oliveoil)

This used to be the same in Plakias!
Makrigyalos sound like some research to be done! anyone else been there?

                 Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 22, 2010, 09:32:30 PM
Quote from: George
I totally agree with you guys as well, but the question I'm asking is why did you return for a 'second' visit? What is so different about Plakias, that made you return that 'second' time, instead of going somewhere else like normal people would.

george...

Ok - first time in Crete we were staying in Rethymnon and, on recommendation, hired a car and drove down to Plakias intending to see a bit of the south coast. something in the air? well maybe: we decided to stay for an hour on the beach (first time 'far end'). Eventually had to drag ourselves away before it got dark. At that time, had no inkling the great walking to be had in the area but knew by the end of the day where next years' holiday would be. At the end of the our first 2 week holiday in Plakias (and all subsequent hols in Plakias) we leave thinking there's yet more to discover next time. However .... Makrigyalos will definitely be checked out before we book for next year.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Arnaki on October 22, 2010, 11:54:51 PM
My first trip to Greece was with friends - to Argassi in Zakynthos in 1985.  I really did not like it and swore never to go back to Greece.  However, in 1992 I married a Hellenophile, and he persuaded me to go to Crete for our honeymoon.  We stayed in Georgioupolis, in late April (quite cold and very quiet).  The roads and square were dirt, although we saw progress in front of our very eyes on the day the square was asphalted.  My husband suggested we went to Plakias on the bus one day, so we did, and then got a taxi to Damnoni (the Hapimag was a few concrete boxes).  It crossed my mind that the beach was nothing spectacular, but followed nevertheless.  This is when I first discovered my husband was a naturist.  The Rough Guide to Crete indicated that Damoni had a naturist beach, completely ignoring Plakias far end - if only we had known.  Later that year we had a holiday in the Mani in the Peloponnese, and I was hooked.  That is our special place that we keep going back to, but Plakias had planted a seed.  We went back four years ago and this year had our third trip.  There will probably be a fourth next year.

Very much the same as everyone else, I like the food, the people, the far end, the raki, the welcome.  These are all things that you can get elsewhere in Greece, so I think the particular appeal is a reasonably accessible naturist beach and sea; for a disabled person, many "far ends" are difficult or downright impossible to reach.

On the other hand I don't like the wind and I don't like leaving!  Oh yes, and don't get me started on the "accessible" ramps!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: John R on October 23, 2010, 09:00:49 AM
Quote from: Arnaki
Very much the same as everyone else, I like the food, the people, the far end, the raki, the welcome.  These are all things that you can get elsewhere in Greece, so I think the particular appeal is a reasonably accessible naturist beach and sea; for a disabled person, many "far ends" are difficult or downright impossible to reach.

Obviously the far end is a major attraction to far enders as you state above. We have been coming to Plakias for every year for 12 years and we don't even like beaches (any beaches) - well not to lie on in the sunshine. So Plakias for us would be and remains ultra attractive even if it had no far end beach. Our reasons for returning have been stated many times in this discussion. I think the main thing for us is that basically we do very little travelling - very little sense of adventure and the first second we arrive in Plakias (Heraklion actually) our holiday starts without a single thought of what , where, when, who in a place where we enjoy the people, the fellow tourists, food, stunning scenery and access to more scenery (we hire a car).

John
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on October 23, 2010, 09:59:02 AM
There is much to agree with in these posts about Plakias. Someone mentioned a more extensive bus service, with which I agree, although in today's financial climate it is unlikely to happen. I think there used to be buses to other places other than Rethymnon.

However Plakias isn't unique; it is just the (marginally) best of several excellent Greek resorts IMHO. For 2011, as well as Plakias I am returning to Agios Georgious on Corfu which I last visited in 1994. Always a risky thing to do after 17 years I know. Has anyone been there recently? It has (had?) the most wonderful sandy beach, many times larger than the Plakias far end.

Plakias is the cheapest Greek resort I know of in terms of living costs while you are there.

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 25, 2010, 08:35:28 AM
Quote from: Chris H.
Interesting discussion....
 but also because there is no road between the front row of businesses and the beach.
Hi Chris H
I disliked Makriayialos for all the reasons you liked it, and I've added some comments on the forum before.
I didn't like the lack of road on the front, I hated the shingle beaches and that massive (at the time Norwegian) complex just up the road. I found it a little claustrophobic with the road missing on the front and we spent most of our time in the ajoining village to the west. I can't remember the name of the place. Nice cosmopolitan feel about it, and the bars were on the front so one could enjoy ones evenings refreshments with a view out to sea.
I also found the area a little industrial if you take the coast road west, and we drove north to Elounda one time, with the odd divertion as one does, and the villages and surrounding area was basically a bit boring. Nowhere to stop for a drink or somewhere to eat.
But that was all about 10-15 years ago, it might have changed, but that experience put me off going back there again.

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 25, 2010, 10:48:34 AM
Quote from: John R
Obviously the far end is a major attraction to far enders as you state above. We have been coming to Plakias for every year for 12 years and we don't even like beaches (any beaches) - well not to lie on in the sunshine. So Plakias for us would be and remains ultra attractive even if it had no far end beach. Our reasons for returning have been stated many times in this discussion. I think the main thing for us is that basically we do very little travelling - very little sense of adventure and the first second we arrive in Plakias (Heraklion actually) our holiday starts without a single thought of what , where, when, who in a place where we enjoy the people, the fellow tourists, food, stunning scenery and access to more scenery (we hire a car).

John
Each to their own John. We all have our own way of enjoying Plakias or any other kind of holiday.
Contrary to popular belief I don't spend 24/7 of my time at the far end. The first couple of days definately to chill out and get the shoulders down, but then I'll get bored, get in the car and get out there and basically get lost. There are some fabulous places to see and visit and a lot of them I've found by accident, just by driving around the mountains, not going anywhere in particular.
I wrote a small travelogue on here about ten years ago, called 'Places to go', which are all within easy reach of Plakias.  Hopefully it's been useful to some members.
My holiday in Plakias starts as I enter the gorge, I remember saying to Pete and Dawn and their daughter when I'd just picked them up from the airport as we entered the gorge. Take a deep breath, we're now entering 'Shangrila'!
The island takes on a different feel for me at that point!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 25, 2010, 03:41:45 PM
Get off the beach? I don't know that saying unless it's to get a beer!

                              Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Chris H. on October 25, 2010, 03:58:29 PM
Hi George,
Each to their own as you say.....
But it's obvious it is some time ago you were there, I quote:

"we spent most of our time in the ajoining village to the west. I can't remember the name of the place. Nice cosmopolitan feel about it, and the bars were on the front so one could enjoy ones evenings refreshments with a view out to sea"

What you are actually describing here is Makrigyalos and the place with the big Scandinavian complex is called Analipsi,
The Scandinavians are harmless and quiet, they have everything in their resort so they stay there most of the time just sometimes in the evening they come out to walk to Makrigialos to eat in the Gusto restaurant.
No shingles in Mak just the finest sand to be found on Crete. I agree with you that driving west one comes across quite a lot of ugly plastic greenhouses.....
And this:  "and the villages and surrounding area was basically a bit boring. Nowhere to stop for a drink or somewhere to eat." Oops now, it's obvious it was 10 or 15 years ago you were there, beautiful drive to Sitia, green, lush valley and many excellent places to eat for example the Piperia in Pefki, award winning restaurant, dining in the shade of a giant peppertree...take a look at: http://www.concred.gr/restaurants/lassithi...ria/description (http://www.concred.gr/restaurants/lassithi/piperia/description)

Still....each to their own way
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Chris H. on October 25, 2010, 04:27:48 PM
Hahahaha!
Did you ever hear of this:

"In the same location where, in the early 1930’ s used to be “Damanos” tavern (who would weight his clients upon entering and again when leaving the tavern and charge them according to their weight difference), in the old town of Rethymno, stands today “Othonas” Tavern."

I just came across it checking out this 'Conserving the Cretan diet' site I mentioned in the post before this one, hahaha!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 25, 2010, 04:40:52 PM
''Hi George,
Each to their own as you say.....
But it's obvious it is some time ago you were there,''

Hi Chris
I guess it was, thinking back it must have been around 93-94, and I must say that the village was nothing like the size it is now. It was just one main street when I was there and the beach is unrecognisable.
I don't remember that bar either, but over the years things obviously change.
I'll try and find some old pics!

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 25, 2010, 04:49:57 PM
Quote from: Barny
Get off the beach? I don't know that saying unless it's to get a beer!

                              Barny.
I didn't know you drank Barny  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 26, 2010, 11:40:57 AM
I don't drink any more, but I don't drink any less either!

                             Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 26, 2010, 11:54:40 AM
Quote from: Barny
I don't drink any more, but I don't drink any less either!

                             Barny.
Just be carefull with the empties Barny, don't forget to re-cycle! They can be used time and time again you know    

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 26, 2010, 12:20:44 PM
Yes, so I see!

                     Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: spottttttt on October 26, 2010, 12:37:26 PM
You nicked my picture Barny?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 26, 2010, 03:50:35 PM
It.s nearly the same one !!

            Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Daniel on October 26, 2010, 06:09:20 PM
Barny:

Looking at the picture of the bottle of Mythos and Mythos glass:

Did you see the offer in the supermarket for 5 bottles of Mythos and a Mythos glass for 5 euro's ?

Bought 2 packs and managed to get the glasses home unbroken.
I left the bottles there (empty).

But now having to drink Becks out of them !!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 26, 2010, 07:14:19 PM
Becks, it's just not the same is it! I have some Mythos glasses that Pavlos gave me some time back and are regularly used but sadly for Carling!

                          Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 28, 2010, 09:47:53 AM
[attachment=759:ale.jpg]

Can Mythos do this?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 28, 2010, 02:24:48 PM
Quote from: Barny
[attachment=759:ale.jpg]

Can Mythos do this?
Good one Barny, that'll be doing the email rounds soon! And the other one BTW. I've sent that on already   !

Just had a thought, maybe all the women are secret Mythos drinkers  
Wait for it...

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 29, 2010, 12:31:24 AM
It's gone very quiet George? Are they plotting your punishment?

                                  Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 29, 2010, 04:19:40 AM
How about this to start the day?

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned
     out to be an optical Aleutian .



                          Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Rogataber on October 29, 2010, 08:42:20 AM
Quote from: Barny
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned
     out to be an optical Aleutian .
Liked this one and sent it on to a number of friends - now I am getting email groans from left, right and centre!

Roger
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on October 29, 2010, 08:56:24 AM
Quote from: Barny
It's gone very quiet George? Are they plotting your punishment?

                                  Barny.
Oh I do hope so Barn!!    

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on October 31, 2010, 07:12:42 PM
Why dont the trick or treaters want a glass of raki? I don't understand?

                       Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on November 01, 2010, 09:36:44 AM
Quote from: Barny
Why dont the trick or treaters want a glass of raki? I don't understand?

                       Barny.


It depends if the raki is the trick or treat    

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 01, 2010, 10:47:35 AM
I did have a good swig of it last night and I think it may have been the trick!

                           Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 01, 2010, 11:01:11 AM
Quote from: Barny
I did have a good swig of it last night and I think it may have been the trick!

                           Barny.
There again Barny, you did think to yourself that you'd like to treat yourself to a Raki and it did the trick!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 01, 2010, 11:16:05 AM
Yes George! but,
Why do witches use brooms to fly on?
Because vacuum cleaners are too heavy!!

                    Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 01, 2010, 11:19:43 AM
...and so many have had accidents on them and they dyson them!...sorry....

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 01, 2010, 11:30:50 AM
Yes,  dyson with death!  they pick up well though.

                         Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 03, 2010, 10:13:10 AM
Next please?

           Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 03, 2010, 11:13:43 AM
Have you finished that Beer already Barny?

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 03, 2010, 11:50:49 AM
I have, it was getting warm.

                Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 03, 2010, 12:05:06 PM
Quote from: Barny
I have, it was getting warm.

                Barny.
You mean to say that you didn't drink it before all the frost was off the glass?    

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 03, 2010, 12:34:59 PM
Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all
of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is
better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver."

             Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on November 03, 2010, 01:18:23 PM
Quote from: Barny
Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all
of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is
better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver."

             Barny.
Perfect philosophy Barny, I couldn't have put it better myself!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 04, 2010, 12:00:49 PM
Thank you George,
There's a lot to be said about drinking,
and a thought has just come to my head,
If a fellow can't drink when he's living,
how the **** can he drink when he's dead?
                 

           Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 10, 2010, 10:11:59 AM
And last night I dreamed I was writing 'Lord of the Rings' but it turned out that I was just Tolkien in my sleep.

                  Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 14, 2010, 12:21:47 PM
[attachment=762:img005.jpg][attachment=760:img003.jpg][attachment=761:img004.jpg]

Afew years ago!

        Barny
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Rogataber on November 14, 2010, 03:10:42 PM
Quote from: Barny
And last night I dreamed I was writing 'Lord of the Rings' but it turned out that I was just Tolkien in my sleep.

                  Barny.

Have you heard about the dyslectic who couldn’t spell Armageddon – oh well it’s not the end of the world! Roger
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 14, 2010, 06:12:13 PM
Hello Mr butcher, can I have half a pound of kidleys please?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: travellingran on November 14, 2010, 08:37:19 PM
Quote from: Barny
Hello Mr butcher, can I have half a pound of kidleys please?


Certainly Sir , but I think you mean half a pound of kidneys....................
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 15, 2010, 11:17:27 AM
That's what I said, diddelye?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on November 15, 2010, 11:36:36 AM
Quote from: Barny
That's what I said, diddelye?

You have completely lost me with the last few posts.  
You really must take more water with the whiskey  

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: travellingran on November 15, 2010, 02:44:42 PM
Quote from: Barny
That's what I said, diddelye?


You certainly did say kidleys diddle you .
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 15, 2010, 04:52:47 PM
Kidleys? yes I diddle. Diddle you?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: travellingran on November 15, 2010, 07:16:02 PM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Quote from: Barny
That's what I said, diddelye?

You have completely lost me with the last few posts.  
You really must take more water with the whiskey  

Peter&Dawn


So sorry for my part in all this. I never did grow up.!!!!!!!
Heather.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 16, 2010, 08:43:58 AM
Good Morning Mr Butcher, I would like some bacon please.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 16, 2010, 11:14:31 AM
Lean back?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 16, 2010, 11:19:39 AM
[attachment=763:images.jpg]  " I would like some bacon please"
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 17, 2010, 11:38:10 PM
Hello Mr Butcher, do you keep dripping?
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on November 18, 2010, 07:09:48 AM
Quote from: Barny
Hello Mr Butcher, do you keep dripping?

Only about the price of steak.    

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 19, 2010, 09:27:08 AM
The price is silly!  I ended up buying a sheeps head but the butcher left the eyes in so it could see us through the weekend.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on November 19, 2010, 11:37:32 AM
A man got on the bus with both of his front pockets full of golf balls and sat down next to a beautiful blonde.

The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pockets.

Finally, after many such glances from her, he said, "It's golf balls."

Nevertheless, the blonde continued to look at him thoughtfully and finally, not being able to contain her curiosity any longer, asked, "Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?"

          Sorry,
          Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on November 26, 2010, 10:35:45 AM
My snail stopped winning races. I removed his shell to make him more aerodynamic. If anything it's made him more sluggish.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 01, 2010, 02:41:25 PM
Finding a woman sobbing that she had locked her keys in her car, a passing soldier assures her that he can help.

She looks on amazed as he removes his trousers, rolls them into a tight ball and rubs them against the car door.

Magically it opens.

"That's so clever," the woman gasps. "How did you do it?"

"Easy," replies the man.

"These are my khakis".


                     Barny.
 
 
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on December 12, 2010, 08:36:33 AM
Groan! I hope you get a good joke book in your stocking this Christmas, Barney. If one's not on your Christmas list ... add it!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 12, 2010, 04:16:23 PM
How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizzas?






Deep pan, crisp and even!



             Love it!   Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on December 13, 2010, 07:38:21 AM
Quote from: Barny
How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizzas?






Deep pan, crisp and even!



             Love it!   Barny.


You've opened your Christmas crackers early again this year.  

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 14, 2010, 11:58:52 AM
A sporting one.................
A lady walked into a Police Station and the desk Sergeant said "Can I help you?"
"Yes" she said, "I'd like to report a case of sexual assault".

"Where did it happen?" the Sergeant asked.

"In the park just down the road" she replied.

"Can you describe what happened?"

"Yes, I was walking along the footpath in the park near

the trees when a man jumped out of the bushes and dragged me in there,

removed my underwear then he dropped his pants to his knees

and had his way with me"
"Could you give me a description of him?"

"Yes, he was wearing white shoes, long white trousers, a white shirt, and he had

these two big long pads from his feet up to and over his knees, one on each leg".

"Sounds to me like he was a cricketer, most probably a batsman", said the Sergeant.

"Yes", said the lady, "He was an Aussie Cricketer".

"That's very observant", said the Sergeant, "You worked that out from his accent?"

"No", she replied. "I worked it out because he wasn't in for very long".
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on December 14, 2010, 12:11:04 PM
How big are your Xmas Crackers Barny!?
george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 14, 2010, 12:50:04 PM
Big enough George, Big enough!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on December 14, 2010, 03:39:46 PM
I don't wanna worry you Barny, but if you look a little to the left you'll see that someone has nicked your beer!      

 
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 14, 2010, 03:42:31 PM
It was there the other day? Where has it gone?

                       Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on December 14, 2010, 03:57:51 PM
Quote from: Barny
It was there the other day? Where has it gone?

                       Barny.
That's not like you Barny, you usually watch it like a hawk! Or have you overdone it again and left it somewhere? Get a grip man!!  

george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 14, 2010, 08:19:06 PM
Found it !!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on December 14, 2010, 08:35:52 PM
Quote from: Barny
Found it !!

That's a poor substitute for a long cool Mythos.

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: George on December 15, 2010, 08:34:46 AM
Quote from: Barny
Found it !!
WHAT IS THAT!!!????      
The Acme Beer Co?    You're standards are defo dropping Barny!    
george...
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 15, 2010, 01:06:27 PM
Eight for £1.49p

            Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Mike G on December 15, 2010, 01:18:12 PM
Quote from: Barny
Eight for £1.49p

            Barny.
What is the alcohol content, 0.5%?

Mike
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on December 15, 2010, 01:26:50 PM
Quote from: Barny
Eight for £1.49p

            Barny.

You were robbed.  

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 15, 2010, 01:36:32 PM
No, they gave me £1.49p to take it away!

                        Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 15, 2010, 01:38:17 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: Barny
Eight for £1.49p

            Barny.
What is the alcohol content, 0.5%?

Mike


Quote from: Barny
No, they gave me £1.49p to take it away!

                        Barny.

It's six point nine abv!

         Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 17, 2010, 09:45:09 AM
Another seasonal one......

What's the difference between a snowman and a snow woman?

               Barny.
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Peter&Dawn on December 17, 2010, 10:56:41 AM
Quote from: Barny
Another seasonal one......

What's the difference between a snowman and a snow woman?

               Barny.

'wo'    

Peter&Dawn
Title: Irida studios
Post by: fenman on December 17, 2010, 05:49:52 PM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Quote from: Barny
Another seasonal one......

What's the difference between a snowman and a snow woman?

               Barny.

'wo'    

Peter&Dawn


Snowballs-thats an old one!
Title: Irida studios
Post by: Barny on December 17, 2010, 08:10:56 PM
So am I!!