Messages

1

Plakias / Re: webcam

« on: May 19, 2017, 12:15:41 PM »

It seems that the camera at Sfakia has been out of order the last couple of days. And I desperately need my dose. 

2

PlakChat / Re: web cam

« on: October 31, 2015, 06:08:19 PM »

Is it just me or the web cam in Sfakia has been upgraded? The picture is clearer and I can now see much farther across the pelago.

3

Gossip / Re: Traditional Greek dance

« on: August 02, 2015, 11:53:19 AM »

Hi happyashellas, I really appreciate your response. You're right! Smashing plates has nothing to do with greek tradition. It is considered to be a form of subculture in Greece and can be seen not only in places where there are many tourists but also in wedding parties, bouzoukia night clubs (not to be confused with the bouzouki instrument) etc.

I also totally agree with you with the genuinely unorganized, unplanned part. Undoubtedly, such a thing can be something to remember for the rest of your life.

Πεντοζάλι (pentozali) is a compound word. It is composed of two words: πέντε or πέμπτος (five or fifth) and ζάλος (step, in the cretan dialect). It denotes the fifth attempt of cretans to rebel against turks. The dance itself consists of ten steps.  Some believe that this relates to the fact that pentozali was danced for the first time on October 10th, 1769 in Anopoli (a small village near Sfakia) by twelve greek rebels. Oddly, the english Wikipedia page is inaccurate and contains many errors.

4

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: July 27, 2015, 06:06:18 PM »

The last day before the VAT increased I went to the Argo bakery and bought three small apple pies. I asked how much they cost and the man replied: "0.60 euro each with the old VAT rate, 0.70 with the new". This is just an indicative example of how high the prices have gone.

However, there is something that puzzles me. Usually, prices at restaurants in Greece are rounded to .00 or to .50. With the new VAT it is highly unlikely that this will be the case so I guess there will be "small adjustment" so that new prices are rounded too. The question is: will they go up or down (and how much)?

5

Gossip / Re: Tourist numbers

« on: June 14, 2015, 09:11:11 AM »

On the contrary, as expected, visitors so far are increased compared to previous years. Figures speak for themselves:

http://www.naftemporiki.gr/finance/story/963484/auksisi-105-ton-touristikon-afikseon-sto-pentamino

http://www.thetoc.gr/eng/food--travel/article/greece-may-reach-target-of-25-million-tourists-in-2015

You will have to use Google Translate for the first article.

6

Gossip / The best of Crete (VIDEO)

« on: June 10, 2015, 12:18:44 PM »

I guess you all have seen this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RHbt7biX7U

If not, enjoy!

EDIT: Apologies! The video I wanted to post is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE2i_A0D1o8

7

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: April 30, 2015, 05:12:59 PM »

I suppose this is the official advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/money

Here's a related article: http://www.thetoc.gr/eng/food--travel/article/foreign-office-denies-changing-travel-advice-on-greece

I don't see how this advice relates to empty ATMs caused by crash or new drachmae being secretly printed.

Yes, the Ministry of Finance is planning to impose the measure with card payments to fight tax evasion. Let's hope this will prove fruitful for the government and convenient for the tourists.

8

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: April 30, 2015, 09:31:11 AM »

You could also take a bulletproof jacket in case of a terrorist attack. That would be a sensible advice as well. Especially if you consider what has been happening in Europe during the last months.

No need to panic. Greece may be a poor country now but won't let you run out of cash. Enjoy your holidays!

9

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: April 29, 2015, 09:09:18 PM »

Please, don't get me wrong. I didn't say that anyone should censor anything. But my advice to you is to be a bit more sceptical with what you read on the Internet.
Have fun in Corfu. I don't know about extra cash but you will definitely need some extra sunscreen. It's getting really hot here.

10

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: April 29, 2015, 06:03:49 PM »

Hi John R,
I wonder if this advice is official. To be honest, I do believe that the "advice" is not harmless. It can cause panic and fear and I don't think it's really needed.

11

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: April 29, 2015, 09:30:32 AM »

Difficult times for the Greeks - lets do what we can for our Plakias friends.

If you really want to do what you can for our Plakias friends, then I suggest you avoid circulating such articles. Not only are these claims groundless, but they also do not reflect reality.

12

Plakias / Re: Webcam

« on: April 15, 2015, 01:41:25 PM »

So glad to see people lying on the beach again. 

13

Gossip / Re: Traditional Greek dance

« on: April 05, 2015, 11:50:34 AM »

Sirtaki is a relatively modern dance whereas some other kinds of music, along with their accompanying dances (for example, Pyrrhichios), date back to over 2000 years ago. So do many cretan dances. The most impressive thing is that they have remained unaltered throughout the centuries.

14

Gossip / Traditional Greek dance

« on: April 04, 2015, 11:45:16 AM »

Being Greek, I love greek traditional dances, especially cretan ones. I would love to know how you, non-Greeks, see greek traditional dance and music in general. Below is a link showing a cretan dance called pentozali. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZMrFWnMes

15

Plakias / Re: Webcam

« on: March 21, 2015, 10:23:18 AM »

A beautiful spring day in Southern Crete. However, I would not consider swimming. The water must be no more than ~13-14C.