Topics

16

Where to go / Sellia MELISSIOS Kafenion and Taverna ELIA

« on: June 19, 2013, 07:51:45 PM »

We love Sellia/ Selia village above Plakias and it has much to offer other than photographing its church.
Sellia is famous for Seliano cheese and has some good shops and eating places. Live music in the square in Summer.
Can recommend the Coffee in the Kafenion, the beautiful views, the cheese and the food at the Taverna.
Thank you to Andi Pfau Fotografie for use of his images.
MELISSIOS Kafenion and Snack Bar


Taverna ELIA

17

Forum and Website discussion / Questions and Answers Plakias Forums

« on: June 19, 2013, 10:23:13 AM »

Hello all you Plakias lovers.
I have a feeling I am about to be very unpopular.
My observation as a relative newcomer to the Forum and had not visited Plakias since forever (but been close)....is.
There is a lack of answers to questions to Newcomers of the forum, with a few notable exceptions among longer serving members.
I want to thank them for their help.
We can of course search the forums for answers but many topics are old and things have changed.
You are all very friendly but because maybe you have seen it all and a bit fed up with new members questions just log in to check messages and new posts.
Nothing wrong with that, but maybe some of you could help with a little more information?

Things people want to know.
Buses.
Trips.
Boat trips.
Prices of trips.
Where things are.
Prices of loungers and parasols at various beaches.
Where to listen to music (Cretan, Greek and modern).
Have places improved or got worse.
Library.
Some of these have of course been provided, but if you visit and go on a trip please notice what it was like and what you paid.
Hugely useful for everyone. Photographs are useful too, you do not have to upload them to the site as they will use data allowance. upload them to a hosting site like imgur or photobucket, open the image once it is uploaded and copy the address from the address bar. Click on the Mona Lisa icon when writing your new message and paste the copied address into the center (between img] [img ) the image will then appear in your post. Important! do not write text within the img code, just paste the address.

Sorry if I am seeming bossy or ungrateful, I only want to help and I am very grateful for this forum and its Admin and members.
I know oft repeated questions can drive members potty, I get so annoyed on the forums on TripAdvisor at the same questions being repeated for the same places often multiple times on the same day. Makes me want to shout DO A SEARCH BEFORE ASKING OR SCROLL DOWN!
The experts have to have huge patience, I often just put a link to the previous answer and politely ask them to search before posting.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoy your times in Plakias.
J Voloudakis.

18

Plakias / Plakias Library and Map Summer 2013.

« on: June 18, 2013, 07:10:39 AM »

Kindly nicked from Filoxenia Association FB page.
The original Library thread written by Compage for Plakias forums in 2007, has many more photographs and information can be found here.
http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?topic=1149.0
The nonprofit library of Plakias counts more than 6.000 books in plenty of different languages. What makes it interesting is that it was created solely by donations, the books can be borrowed for free and the ‘employees’ offer their spare time for its preservation and promotion.

At times, the library building hosts community and charity events and a meritorious display of products, “Arts and Crafts Exhibition”, with creations from the members themselves.

For the opening hours and how to find the building of the library, have a look at the photos below!
Map

Opening times.

19

Plakias / Lance Chilton's Plakias photos 1982, 83 and 84.

« on: June 13, 2013, 11:26:33 PM »

These are a bit later than I remember plakias in the 1960,s and 70,s but they give a good idea how things have changed.
Many thanks to Lance Chilton and Marengo Walks.
1982.
From left to right: New Alianthos (white), Livikon, Lamon Hotels, and Pension Alianthos (blue-grey balconies).

1983.
Christos Fish Taverna.


The old main road.

View from the far end.

All the images.
1982 http://www.marengowalks.com/plakias1982.html?
1983 http://www.marengowalks.com/plakias1983.html?
1984 http://www.marengowalks.com/plakias1984.html

20

Holiday Companies / General Strike announced June 13th 2013

« on: June 12, 2013, 06:09:35 PM »

General strike announced for Thursday - 13 June, 2013

Greece’s two largest public and private unions, GSEE and ADEDY have announced a 24-hour-strike for Thursday, 13th June.
The move was billed as a solidarity act in the wake of the government’s decision to close down national broadcaster ERT late on Tuesday and replace it with a new radio, television and Internet network.
Most likely Greek's air controllers will join in, so you might expect huge delays or cancellations of flights.
Source www.ekathimerini.com
This is one to keep your eye on if you are travelling from Midnight Wednesday 12th of June through Thursday 13th 2013.
No details yet if Air Traffic is joining, but keep checking above link.
Keep hoping it will be all right.

Update.
Air traffic controllers will walk off the job from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Which is 1pm to 3pm UK time.
Source http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_12/06/2013_504076

21

Where to go / Matala Beach Festival June 21st to 24th 2013

« on: June 06, 2013, 09:46:59 PM »

It is getting that time of year again for the Matala Beach Festival.
The Matala Beach Festival is proud to play host to an eclectic range of music dating from the 1960s to present day.

Former frontman of The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell becomes First international artist to perform at Matala Beach. Other artists include, Kings of Floyd, Professor Richard Smith, The Doors tribute, Janis Joplin tribute, Locomondo and many more. The main stage located on Matala Beach itself features acoustic acts during the afternoons, bands during the evenings, and DJs through the night until sunrise.​
Matala Beach Festival Celebrates 40 Years Of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' By Pink Floyd brought to you by Generation.

As Joni Mitchell once sang...
"The wind is in from Africa" and we are playin' once again beneath the Matala moon. Were you one of the original young travellers who used to live in the caves and on the sands at Matala in the 60s and 70s? Or are you simply a music fan wanting to celebrate life with us through a weekend of music and art. Whoever you are, Matala Beach welcomes you.

So if you are on your travels to Plakias during the festival it may be something you are interested in doing.
Matala is an easy drive from Plakias and takes about 95mins to get there.
One of my better half's friends is playing with Hugh Cornwell, I believe he is very excited as it his first international gig.
21st of June is also my Birthday but sadly I will be at home. Website http://matalabeachfestival.com/

22

Where to eat...or not! / Taverna Violakis 1967, Damnoni beach

« on: June 04, 2013, 10:43:44 PM »

The Violakis' Family other Taverna.
We are not a fan of Damnoni beach but this taverna is excellent.
Good place to sit and chill in the evening and excellent fish.
Manolis Violakis is a musician, first live music night of the year is on June 5th 2013.

The new Taverna earlier this spring after its complete rebuild.

Manolis Violakis on the Lyra.

23

Where to go / Taverna Mariou, Mariou Village

« on: June 04, 2013, 10:22:13 PM »

The Violakis Family have a great Taverna in Mariou village and another on Damnoni beach (Taverna Violakis 1967).
Mariou is another place blessed with excellent views of Plakias bay and watching the sunset.
Only a few Kilometres from Plakias. Looking forward to spending an evening or two here and maybe lunch.

24

PlakChat / Which Tavernas serve Fresh Mizithra cheese?

« on: May 31, 2013, 10:14:55 AM »

We have never seen the popular Mizithra/ Myzithra Cheese on a menu in Plakias. My other half much prefers it to Feta and in Chania Prefecture villages It is everywhere.
I am talking about the fresh variety and not the dried that you can grate like parmesan.
Myzithra is the most widely used cheese in Crete, where feta is a relative newcomer.
Please, please tell us that we can find it on a menu!

Info: Myzithra is available in three varieties: fresh (sweet), sour, and aged:

Fresh myzithra is unsalted and soft, similar to farmer's cheese and ricotta, and is generally sold in egg-shaped balls. It has a pungent aroma and mild flavor.
Sour myzithra, also known as xinomyzithra (ξινομυζήθρα), ksee-no-mee-ZEE-thrah), is made with goat or sheep milk, yeast, and salt.
Aged myzithra (myzithra xeri) is a hard, salty cheese.

It looks like this (cannot understand why we never see it in Plakias)

25

Plakias / More buses for Plakias

« on: May 29, 2013, 09:48:16 PM »

New buses and schedule for Plakias Summer season 2013.
Timetable started this May.
NEW BUS SCHEDULE
Finally we have more buses to Plakias now:

Rethymno-Plakias:
Mon. - Fri.: 6:15 - 9:00 - 11:30 - 14:15 - 18:00
Sat. & Sun: 9:00 - 11:30 - 14:15 - 18:00

Plakias-Rethymno:
Mon. - Fri.: 7:00 - 10:00 - 12:15 - 15:00 - 19:15
Sat. & Sun: 10:00 - 12:15 - 15:00 - 19:15

There is also a bus to Preveli (palm beach and monastery)
Plakias-Preveli: 12:15
Preveli-Plakias: 18:45

26

Where to go / Oriseum Papa Michalis Georgoulakis

« on: May 29, 2013, 09:25:11 PM »

Probably been posted before but I could not find it.
This is one nearby Museum visitors to Plakias should see.
Papa Michalis Georgoulakias began collecting at the age of 15, he died in 2008 at the good age of 87.
The Museum is now run by his son Gιorgos Georgoulakis and his wife Romi  Zürcher.
Visit the village of Asomatos near Plakias and see for yourself.
Website http://www.oriseum.com/#!
Some photographs.

27

Where to eat...or not! / Atlantis Fish Taverna.

« on: May 29, 2013, 09:08:01 PM »

Atlantis Fish Taverna has also had a Makeover.
Any new reports for 2013?
If you cannot see the whole of the bigger images without scrolling, right click on image and choose open in new tab or window.
New look.

Older images and a special moment (Grin).

28

Plakias / Is Beach Bar Mes Tin Ammo the new Plakias music venue?

« on: May 29, 2013, 07:28:39 PM »

Hi all.
Beach Bar Mes Tin Ammo seems to have become the place to go for the young and those of us who wish to age disgracefully.
Last Summer (2012) it featured many guest DJ spots and the Beach music festival in August. It is away from nearly all the accommodation so is not too bad.
Excellent for late night chill out ambient.

29

Where to eat...or not! / Kantina 'o petros'

« on: May 29, 2013, 07:10:24 PM »

The best roadside Kantina in Plakias.
Pull in just outside Plakias nestling against the summer reeds.
Great Souvlaki Gyros.
Who else enjoys its simple pleasures?

30

Plakias / Ostraco Bar.

« on: May 29, 2013, 06:26:18 PM »

John has been keeping this under his hat. I expect he wants to keep it all to himself.

The Ostraco bar has had a bit of a facelift....but more importantly.
Draught!

Afternoon at the Ostraco.

Night time at the Ostraco. Has anyone got view of inside, upstairs and from the balcony?
Strange blurring of the trees caused by long exposure and trees moving in the wind.