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Messages - Arnaki

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211
PlakChat / Re: 2012 Season
« on: January 14, 2012, 06:32:13 PM »

To everyone we met at the Forum dinners, please raise a glass (or 2) to absent friends in 2012.

Peter&Dawn

P.S. We will still keep an eye on the forum, so we can still feel part of the community.

Hi,

We have booked today for 10 July (a change from our usual August slot).  We look forward to meeting new forum friends, and will certainly raise a glass to you, Peter and Dawn.  We missed you in the Livicon last year, and now will have to continue to miss you... Good luck in your new life in Australia.

Arnaki

212
Plakias / Re: The wind!
« on: November 10, 2011, 10:28:11 PM »
We just missed being there at the same time as you Stewart - we saw a bargain of a week for 3 people for less than £500 at Kosta Chryssoula but the seats went just before we tried to book it.  Hey, ho.  Had a wet few days in Scotland instead.

Anyway back on the subject of wind, I found this weather website for real wind enthusiasts.  It is certainly detailed, but how accurate is anyone's guess....

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/plakias

Arnaki

213
Plakias / The wind!
« on: October 02, 2011, 05:40:41 PM »
Re Damoni - I think I started this, as I suggested Souda or Damnoni as less windy alternatives to Plakias - however, I did mean Mikri Amoudi, but did not want to assume that Stewart wanted an all over tan.  I am no more fond of Damnoni itself that the rest of the contributors to this string.

We were in Plakias for the last two weeks in August this year, and it was indeed pretty windy most of the time (Force 5 and 6 with stronger gusts).  We went to Souda one morning about 9.30 and found the beach pretty empty except for some Greek families under the trees and a group of about 6 naturists on the sunbeds.  The sunbeds filled up with textiles, and eventually the naturists covered up as well.  We had chosen one of the coves, but put cozzies on for swimming.  Souda was actually still pretty windy and the area near the tavernas was empty due to the sand storms.  Even at our end of the beach it was pretty uncomfortable at times, and there was the usual sport of watching people chasing after towels, clothes, beachballs, etc.  

Mikri Amoudi was about half and half dressed/undressed, whereas on our previous visit (one June) there was not a stitch of clothing in sight.

We managed to go swimming pretty much every morning in Plakias, but we did not hang around long for sunbathing at the far end, unless we were settling down for a longer perid under the trees.  We did try sunbathing, and one day when I stood up from my towel my outline remained, picked out by deposits of wind-blown sand.  The morning we left was absolutely gorgeous - the sea was like glass and there was a gentle light breeze.

Still, all in all a great holiday, where we were made to feel like old friends by the taverna staff (how do they remember?).  We had some really good food, at excellent prices, in particular the Monastic Pork at Mousses (I'm off to become a monk any day now, if that is the way they eat!).  Thinking of going back again to Plakias next year, with fingers tightly crossed for a bit less wind.

Arnaki


214
Where to stay / Kostas-Chrysoulla Studios
« on: September 01, 2011, 01:33:40 PM »
Quote from: jann
Can anybody tell me the difference at Kostas Chrysoulla between a studio for 1/2 and a studio for 1/3 ?

 I realise that it's the number of beds, but I really want to know whether the actual room sizes are different ?

Hi Jann,

The rooms at Kosta Chrysoula vary hugely in terms of size, shape and balcony space.  There is probably a bit of potluck about what you get.  There are three of us so we always book 1/3.  Whatever room you get, it will be clean - rooms are cleaned and bins emptied every day and towels and sheets changed twice a week.  (Came back on Tuesday and already pining....).

Arnaki

215
Plakias / The wind!
« on: August 04, 2011, 11:47:36 AM »
I was in Plakias the last two weeks in August last year and for a lot of the time it was very windy - Force 7 and 8 on some days.  For me this was more than a little inconvenient as I use crutches, and was in danger of being blown over, so I needed to use my wheelchair much more than I would have liked.  We had to eat breakfast crowded around a cupboard in the room, as it was too windy to eat on the balcony.

However it is worth noting that if it is windy in Plakias, it is usually sheltered in Souda and Damnoni, and the wind means that the walk is not too hot (even pushing a wheelchair).  You can always get a taxi (if they are running, with the strikes at the moment).  Otherwise it is a good excuse to sit in a bar in Plakias and watch the waves.

We are going back again on 16 to 30 August  - I am not sure if it is a truimph of hope over experience!  If you are there at the end of August, we might meet - or just be planes that pass in the night....

Enjoy it!

Arnaki

216
PlakChat / Emmerdale versus Football
« on: July 27, 2011, 10:16:29 PM »
Well I'm clearly not a discerning lady viewer - give me football over Emmerdale any day!

Arnaki (Mrs)

217
Plakias / Taxi blockades
« on: July 27, 2011, 10:13:24 PM »
Hello all - Thanks for the information; the links are really useful.  

Noopsy - I hope you get to and from Plakias okay.  Our visits overlap, so perhaps we will see you off again in the Livicon.

Arnaki


218
Plakias / Taxi blockades
« on: July 22, 2011, 05:49:01 PM »
I have seen news of taxi blockades of Heraklion Airport and other airports and ports.  Reports are that these are to go on indefinitely. Is this the case and if so how far do people need to walk from the airport building to get to the transfer coaches?  Any news from the ground would be gratefully received.  We aren't due out until mid August, but perhaps other people who, like me, are not so nimble on their feet might also be interested to know.

Got our tickets today so counting down!

Arnaki

219
Plakias / Strategic Airlines
« on: June 06, 2011, 10:37:03 PM »
Hi Mike, what a litany of problems!  We have just returned from Rhodes on an Olympic holiday flying Strategic from Manchester.  Although the plane was rather old (Airbus 320-212 if that helps anyone who understands these things), the seats were certainly more comfortable than the last flight I took with Thomas Cook, where I think that even sardines would have found it a squash.  As they were evening/night flights, I slept most of the way, and on the way back was only woken up by a rather bumpy landing at Manchester.  The flight left on time both ways, and the cabin staff were efficient and helpful, without appearing false.  On the way out, someone was taken ill.  This was dealt with calmly as far I could tell from across the aisle, oxygen administered and a wheelchair ordered for the airport.  The passenger seemed to make a good recovery and I hope that he and his family had a good holiday.  The cabin crew really are there for your safety and comfort and not just to sell you drinks and perfume.

Let's hope that your bad experience was a one-off and that we will all have timely, safe and comfortable flights to and from Plakias this summer.

I'm with Jann in hoping that there remains the morning flight from Manchester, as that is what we are expecting to take in August, but we will have to wait and see.   So long as I can get to Plakias, I'll go by donkey if necessary! (I'm editing this as I have found from Manchester Airport website that there is both a morning and late flight with Strategic, if that puts your mind at rest, Jann.)

220
Plakias / Strategic Airlines
« on: May 15, 2011, 07:21:28 PM »
Quote from: jann
Quote from: grahame
Quote from: Arnaki
Hi Jann,

Thanks for your reports and the answer to the baggage question.  You must feel like an early pioneer aviator, bombarded with questions about the experience!  Our flight from Manchester is 10.30am ish, but you give me hope that it might be moved earlier.  I'd smuggle you back to Kostas in my suitcase if I could....

Arnaki

I booked my holiday with Olympic in November when the flights were showing with Monarch. The baggage allowance was 15kg unless you paid a supplement to up it to 20kg. I got my tickets last week (we fly out LGW 31 May 11.25). The tickets show a luggage allowance of 20kg. I have been told previously that your luggage allowance is that which is shown on your ticket. Either Olympic have made a mistake or Strategic allow you a greater allowance on the Gatwick flight.
Grahame


sorry Grahame, another error on my part, the allowance was 20Kg as shown on the ticket, and not 15Kg

I've checked my tickets for Rhodes and we do have 20kg each - I hadn't thought to check, as we hadn't paid for extra.  Now Jann, perhaps I will have room to smuggle you to Plakias in August...  

Arnaki

221
Plakias / Strategic Airlines
« on: May 12, 2011, 10:59:55 PM »
Hi Jann,

Thanks for your reports and the answer to the baggage question.  You must feel like an early pioneer aviator, bombarded with questions about the experience!  Our flight from Manchester is 10.30am ish, but you give me hope that it might be moved earlier.  I'd smuggle you back to Kostas in my suitcase if I could....

Arnaki


222
Plakias / New Ferry Plakias-Gavdos
« on: May 11, 2011, 10:29:03 PM »
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: jann
That sounds interesting!  will be in Plakias next Tuesday for 2 weeks, will suss it out
Are you on an Olympic holiday and flying with Strategic airlines? If so you will probably be one of the first on the forum to be able to report on this company that Olympic are using for the first time.

Have a good time. Plakias should be quiet this early in the season.

Mike

Hi Jann,

I think you are probably home now - how sad for you .  I hope you enjoyed Plakias and no doubt once you have gathered yourself, you will tell us about it.

I am going to Kosta Chryssoula in August, but before that I am going to Rhodes with Olympic at the end of May (lucky me!).  I'd be particularly interested to know if Strategic allow pooling of luggage weight - we are three and have 15 kg allowance each (45 kg in total), but take two cases because I am disabled and can't carry one, usually weighing in at just over 30kg (not bad for a family of three).  Thomas Cook and Monarch weigh the lot and so long as you don't exceed 45 kg in total, it is fine.  I know that other airlines weigh bags individually.  I have tried to find out from Olympic what Strategic's policy is but they don't know.  If you travel light, you probably don't know either, but just on the off chance...   I can probably shave off a couple of kilos on the way out, but I might just risk the excess baggage charge on the way back as I don't want to miss out on bringing back a couple of bottles of ouzo.

Sorry for continuing the topic drift....

Arnaki


223
Plakias / 2011 season
« on: February 25, 2011, 05:22:20 PM »
Quoting B Edelsten - "Actually they are the Melidoni Caves"

Oops, sorry Bruce for misleading people about the caves, although it is great to know that there is a wide range of caves available!

Quoting Peter&Dawn - "Not sure if we will make it there this year, but you never know !!!!!!"

We were hoping to meet you again, Peter and Dawn, now we have "discovered" the Livicon - we'll be in Plakias for the last two weeks of August (Olympic and Strategic Airlines permitting).  Fingers crossed that you will be able to make it too.

224
Plakias / 2011 season
« on: February 16, 2011, 12:52:15 PM »
The caves would appear to be Zoniana, unless Bruce tells us anything different.

http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/zoniana-cave.htm

This page give the entry price as 4 Euros in 2004 so I am not sure how up to date the site is, but I don't suppose the caves will have changed much in 7 years.

Arnaki

225
Holiday Companies / 2011 price hike
« on: January 31, 2011, 10:03:16 PM »
"The Airline out of Humberside now is Fly Hellas who I've never heard of before"

Fly Hellas appears to be part of Viking, judging by the flight number.  Manchester is also showing Fly Hellas and Strategic Airways for its flights, along with Jet2.  We are booked for August with Olympic to Kosta Chryssoula, so also have more than a passing interest in this.  Anyway, let's not be doom merchants and keep our fingers tightly crossed for great holidays all round.  (Crossed fingers might excuse the odd typing mistake on the forum.)

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