My friend(?) the wind

[Wuil]

Last year a great part of our vacation was disturbed by a stormy wind. At night we had to close the doors because of the noise from the wind howling around the building. It was like a storm we have sometimes in autumn here in the netherlands, but here it kept going on for days..... Eating outside was rather impossible because the wind would blow your food from the table.
Does this often occur, because it would be a reason for us not to go to Plakias anymore. Friends who stayed at Agia Galini the same time had no storm at all.

[John R]

Last year a great part of our vacation was disturbed by a stormy wind. At night we had to close the doors because of the noise from the wind howling around the building. It was like a storm we have sometimes in autumn here in the netherlands, but here it kept going on for days..... Eating outside was rather impossible because the wind would blow your food from the table.
Does this often occur, because it would be a reason for us not to go to Plakias anymore. Friends who stayed at Agia Galini the same time had no storm at all.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=5212\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Sadly - yes - this wind is a feature of Plakias and can occur as you describe at anytime during the season - usually from July - September - though we have had it when we were there in October. It is also very local - being caused by a Northerly airstream funnelling  down the gorge. So yes it can be very windy at Plakias and calm elsewhere.

For most people it is the only minus point for Plakias but most people seem to be  prepared to risk that wind and still return year after year. We have a car and can therefor escape it during the day but that does not apply to everybody. It is known as the Meltemi - also the name of the recently demolished (?) popular night club.

[Mike G]

Sadly - yes - this wind is a feature of Plakias and can occur as you describe at anytime during the season - usually from July - September - though we have had it when we were there in October. It is also very local - being caused by a Northerly airstream funnelling  down the gorge. So yes it can be very windy at Plakias and calm elsewhere.

For most people it is the only minus point for Plakias but most people seem to be  prepared to risk that wind and still return year after year. We have a car and can therefor escape it during the day but that does not apply to everybody. It is known as the Meltemi - also the name of the recently demolished (?) popular night club.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=5213\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I agree with all John has said Wuil. I don't know your personal circumstances, but have you considered May or June? It is much less windy then and not so oppressively hot. May is also good for walking. A slight downside for some is that the sea is cooler. Also, things like buses, tavernas, bars etc are much less crowded.

The meltimi is common across the Aegean in mid/late summer (something to do with low pressure over Asia Minor) so if you still want Greece you could consider the Ionian Islands (e.g. Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos). If you find anywhere as good as Plakias please let me know.

Mike

[Wuil]

We were there in June and ten of 14 days were stormy. We had a car a were able to go to other places but at night we like to sit outside on a terras but that was not pleasant at all and the charme of sleeping with doors wide open and hearing the sounds of the sea was not possible also.
Without that wind we woud have had a perfect vacation in Plakias !

[toma2]

I love the Meltemi.

You know, the hotels on the north coast call Plakias before they send their guests on buss excursions to "our" beach. If it's blowing they go somewhere else.  

And the Meltemi keeps the mosquitos away.

I know it can be annoying. I have had my sunburned legs sandblasted, and have chased the occasional garment into the serf.   On average it keeps me off the beach two - three days a week. A great excuse for escaping into the hills.  

I think I should add: I'm used to wind, four days ago my mailbox broke off the rack and both garbage containers took off. (The containers were attached to the wall with a rope that snapped). In september my doormat disappeared.  

Tom

[sheryl]

i find that in july people new to plakias complain alot about the meltemi until it dies down and they realise how hot it actually is. personally i find the days with no wind quite uncomfortable and too hot...the locals used to say that it comes for 3 days and goes for 3 days - dont think thats really accurate but its never been all wind or no wind, its always a bit of both.  i remember years ago, sun loungers landing in the pool and having your evening meal by candle light (which attracted all the insects) because the power lines had been blown down - the following years everyone had back up generators just incase     the good old days!

[harribobs]

I think I should add: I'm used to wind, four days ago my mailbox broke off the rack and both garbage containers took off. (The containers were attached to the wall with a rope that snapped). In september my doormat disappeared.  

Tom
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=5216\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

  ....and    

i never imagined Norway being that windy

[Wuil]

 Are you sure there are no thieves active ?

[toma2]

i never imagined Norway being that windy

  Are you sure there are no thieves active ?

Wind: I think vikings must have invented that word. The Lofoten islands are mountainous, just like Crete. And when all that warm atlantic air is forcing its way over and between them the conditions get rather gusty (a little worse than in Plakias). I have literary been blown of my feet a couple of times while trying to retreat from the mountains in unpredicted winterstorms.  

Can't completely rule out thieves though, but the kids here are more apt to put a firecracker in your mailbox than steal a doormat.  

[Steve Jones]

On our first holiday to plakias we were astonished by the windy conditions.

When we first got there at the end of July there was hot sun, warm wind coming down from the hills and no clouds in the sky. The sea was calm and you could lie on the beach all day because the wind had dropped down here to a soothing breeze-absolutely perfect for us.

The first week in August the wind direction changed and dropped but the sea suddenly changed from calm lapping waves to something resembling surfing waves. Later on in the afternoon the cloud cover encroached in from the south, eventually covering the resort, however it never rained.

[ostraco]

Don't you just love it when the surf's up?
I always enjoy a swim, but the few days we get waves are always the best!