Yes, you did read that title correctly
and no, I don't live in Symi (unfortunately). I actually live and work (as a languages
teacher) in Bolton, Lancashire in England. Prior to this visit, my wife Jo and myself had
only spent a few nights on Symi last summer while island-hopping round the Dodecanese.
This website has been constructed via e-mail with Nikos Halkitis and Wendy Wilcox at 'The Symi Visitor' newspaper office, who send me photos and other
information which I then use to write the pages you are reading. I have also met many
people on the Net who have provided me with pictures and suggestions for the site, for
which I've been very grateful.
Pedi Bay, Symi
I had been thinking about setting up a
webcam for a while, to bring the world live pictures of Symi harbour, 365 days a year. So
on April 19th we flew out to Rhodes from Manchester Airport to get some sun and rest, take
a few photos and install the camera. Well, three out of four wasn't bad....
That's me on the left on the day-trip ferry to Symi in Rhodes harbour at about 8.30am-looking quite cheerful considering it's raining and I have a small deer perched on my head.
I'm not sure what the sunglasses are for either.
Below, a view of Symi harbour from the
ferry. A well-known landmark, the clock tower, can be seen on the right of the picture.
After arriving, we made our way up to 'Hotel Fiona'. That's a view from our room in the photo below. The hotel is up in Chorio, first left before Georgio's taverna. A bit of a walk, but worth it for the views. It's also cooler at night in the old town in the summer (and quieter).
Don't be misled; Symi in July and August is hot-September is a popular month to visit as it is slightly less warm. The sea is swimmable up to December (allegedly).
There's plenty to see and do in Symi apart from lying on a beach (nice though that is), so we walked around the castle which is perched at the top of the old town (Chorio).
The photo on the right was taken from the castle; you can see from the view back down to the harbour how far up we've walked. You can catch the bus or get a taxi up to Chorio if you don't fancy walking.
The monastery also functions as a retreat; you can book rooms overnight.
In the photo, Jo is testing the water. I can assure you it was cold; the weather was looking up though...
This is me the next day wondering if it's going to be warm enough to go to the beach...
. This is the beach at Agios Nikolas, also known as St. Nicholas' or St. Nicks'.
You can get there by taxi boat from Yialos
or Pedi Bay, or you can walk over the rocks from Pedi Bay (I've
timed it at just over fifteen minutes). As you can see, there are trees for shade and sun-loungers for hire. It is very safe for swimming and is popular with families. There's a very good taverna (which does get busy in the summer) and you can buy cold soft-drinks and beer on the beach. It's also quite popular with the local goat population, so watch your bag!
This is Pedi Bay-we stopped off here for a drink here on our way back from St. Nicks'
There are a couple of water-side tavernas and some bars here.
In fact if you are here for a couple of weeks, you will be able to eat at a different venue every night.
There are also plenty of bars and cafés, both traditional and more contemporary, where you can sit and watch the world go by.
Some other
things we did:
- Went to the gym (it was shut, but then it was Sunday).
- Went for a run-lots of nice routes on Symi; try Nimborio and back from the harbour (but don't try it at midday in August).
- Tried to get the webcam to work.
- Went for a walk; Symi has beautiful walking country so bring your walking shoes (or trainers).
- Tried to get the webcam to work again.
- Lay on the beach all day.
- Got a tan (just make sure you've got that high-protection sunscreen with you).
- Sat at a café on the harbourside and watched the world go by.
- Checked my e-mail (ask at the Symi Visitor office).
- Gave up trying to get the webcam to work
for the moment (if you're
familiar with the technology and are going to Symi in the next few weeks, I would be very
grateful if you could go to the office and have a look at it for me!!). - Watched the sun go down from the balcony of our room.
- Drank too much wine.
- Ate too much (I can't resist those chick-pea fritters...).
- Forgot what day or time it was (Symi does this to you).
So it's time to go-here on 'Symi II'
waiting to leave for Rhodes. We'll be back in the summer though....
I'll leave you with a couple of views of Symi from the ferry-even nicer when you're arriving of course!
Mike Gadd, June 21, 2000 :-)
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