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Topics - Richard

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Plakias / Last week of May - still very quiet
« on: May 26, 2021, 06:49:13 PM »
Arrived Saturday 22nd, very quiet, dozers still levelling beach, some loungers not yet laid out, many favourite tavernas closed (Gio Ma, Lysseos, Manouses, Gorgona), but look set to open any day, some already open (eg Sirocco, Apanemo).

Masks needed at some outdoor sites (eg Phaestos) but apparently not others - and we had Aghia Triada to ourselves, just us and the chap in the ticket office on the site.

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Plakias / Oct 2020 - a few general impressions
« on: October 13, 2020, 10:28:47 AM »
My observations - I tend to stick to my favourite tavernas, so these are impressions from visiting them, or from walking around the village. I wasn't 100% last year and may simply have missed some of it on other recent visits.


-Quite a few places now have names only in English

-Greeting and farewell now predominantly in English

-Not many Brits, and though has been a noticeable trend for some time, more so this year?

-New hotel; planning to cater for a different audience?

-Feels to me as if a concerted effort has been made to 'modernise' (?) things. Not dramatic, but my impression

-Gorgona seems to have changed hands


Not usually here later than September, however, maybe end of season 'malaise' has set in? This year's events can't be ignored, of course. I wonder has the new hotel changed things somewhat? Hard to imagine not. Few tavernas remain as I remember from even relatively recent visits, though maybe I'm just looking harder.

Still love it here though! The hills haven't changed much.


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PlakChat / Hospital?
« on: August 13, 2020, 11:07:33 PM »
Heard a rumour that a hospital is to be built somewhere near the entrance to the village, and that the road - presumably from Koxare - is already being 'upgraded'. Any news, anyone?

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PlakChat / Geese
« on: May 29, 2020, 10:11:22 PM »
Haven't seen the geese for a while, can't remember when I saw them last but certainly not last year. Quite a gaggle at some point, I'm sure I can remember six or seven one year. Are they also seasonal visitors?

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Plakias / Crete and light-pollution
« on: January 28, 2020, 10:47:59 AM »
One of the reasons I love the S coast of Crete is the lovely dark skies. My geeky hobby is astronomy!

I've attached a light-pollution map of Crete, and a scale-bar. The higher the magnitude the darker the sky. As you can hopefully see, the N coast is awful but the S coast much better.

Although Plakias/Souda are just starting to register the sky is 'almost' pristine a couple of miles outside the area. I was a bit upset to be able to see Plakias at all, until I compared it to Weybridge, which is flood-lit by comparison!

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Plakias / Kali Chronia everyone!
« on: December 31, 2019, 02:26:36 PM »
Or anyone? Awfully quiet these days, more than ever.

Thinking of semi-retiring to Plakias this year, has something gone awfully wrong (other than the new hotel :) )?

All the best for 2020!

Richard

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PlakChat / Kourtaliotiko Gorge road
« on: April 21, 2019, 08:20:15 PM »
Does anyone know if it's passable yet by road traffic? I hope to come end of May.

Many thanks!

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PlakChat / Company?
« on: December 03, 2017, 10:16:08 PM »
Here's an unusual request, and I hope that it won't be misconstrued...

I have just separated from my wife, after nearly twenty years, and can't face going back to Plakias on my own. We have visited every year, sometimes twice, since 2002, after my first holiday there in 1995.

I would very much like to visit in 2018, but don't wish to do so alone.

I like walking in the hills, along the coast, and nice meals in tavernas, more so than lying on the beach all day, although a couple of hours on the beach and some snorkelling is good fun. Particularly will miss Souda.

Would anyone care to join me and share a holiday in 2018? I don't mind sitting in a bar on my own with a book, but sitting in a taverna, for example, just wouldn't work for me. Tried it this Spring. I'd rather share a holiday with someone that loves Plakias than another soulless experience some other way.

I am in my early 50s and a confirmed Grecophile. I don't bite. I am just looking for company, nothing more. Please PM me if interested. I left my phone number and email address in a previous posting but was advised to remove it to avoid spamming.

Richard

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PlakChat / What is it like in Plakias in November?
« on: October 22, 2016, 02:47:05 PM »
I am currently off work, while I recuperate from a long-term illness, and am considering spending a few days in Plakias since I have the opportunity.

I'd very much appreciate any thoughts based on personal experience. I can check the likely weather on Google, but I am thinking more about the general 'feel', compared to May or September when I usually visit, for example which tavernas may be open, how busy is it (quiet I'd guess, but I don't know), and any other comments really.

I've been travelling to Plakias for over 20 years - yes, I know, some of you will think that I'm a mere newcomer :) - and I suppose I am just trying to avoid being disappointed for the first time.

Many thanks, Richard

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Where to eat...or not! / Gorgona - still good!
« on: May 22, 2016, 08:24:33 PM »
Ate at Gorgona tonight, inside the main building for the first time, as the wind is up and the external area is 'almost' complete - roof, but no side panels, although they are stacked ready for fitting, so maybe in a few days?

Same friendly welcome and good service as always, food fine, hope to be back before end of hols.

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PlakChat / All quiet on the...?
« on: November 13, 2015, 11:39:55 PM »
Just an invitation to start some discussion, really. Have just booked Skinos for next May - can't wait! - any updates on Gorgona et al.?

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PlakChat / Repair work?
« on: July 13, 2015, 06:03:58 PM »
Just wondering how the re-building of the burnt-down tavernas is going, if at all?

Richard

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PlakChat / Plakias website with some interesting info
« on: December 15, 2014, 04:47:03 PM »
Came across this website this evening:

http://www.plakias.com/en/travelguide/around-plakias

A few interesting facts hidden away, e.g. bridge over the river that runs through Plakias possibly built around 961 AD by chapwho liberated Plakias from the Saracens (is this the one near the old mill? Looks like it).


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Plakias / Winter warmers
« on: November 25, 2014, 09:53:54 PM »
Appreciate that comments fall-off over the winter, but isn't this the ideal time to offset the rainy weather and dark nights with thoughts of sunny Plakias?

My 'starter for ten' is the lovely walk beyond Souda Bay and, in spring-time, the fantastic smell of the small pine grove on the hillside and the sound of finches.... 

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Holiday Companies / BA flying direct to Heraklion
« on: November 01, 2014, 04:34:28 PM »
Like the title says, BA are now doing flights directly to Heraklion. We booked a couple of days ago, for a very reasonable price, and bagged the last two seats for outbound May 01, so if scheduled flights appeal, best book soon.

Richard

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