The halcyon days may be coming to an end as a spell of unsettled weather is expected to bring countrywide showers over the next few days. Wind-torn high clouds already hint at gales in the Aegean and further shipping disruptions are likely due to industrial action among port workers in Greece's major harbours.
While we are all waiting to find out what the ferry schedules will be to get us from Symi to Rhodes and vice versa between now and April, a Google news alert has just popped up to advise us that a luxury Silversea cruise ship will be passing through Symi in the week starting 12 September 2009, on a voyage from Istanbul to Athens. Now that's what I call forward planning.
Meanwhile the crowds are gathering on the quay below our office window, waiting for the Proteus to come in from Rhodes. The orange seller's truck has more empty crates than full ones so bad luck, Tilos and Nissyros. The peripatetic hawkers of everything from cabbages to carpets are an essential part of island life in the winter and everyone waits with interest to see what will roll off the boat next. Limited choices are a characteristic of island life but the very randomness of what those choices are adds an element of excitement never to be found in huge shopping malls where everything is available all year round.
Have a good weekend.
Regards,
Adriana
While we are all waiting to find out what the ferry schedules will be to get us from Symi to Rhodes and vice versa between now and April, a Google news alert has just popped up to advise us that a luxury Silversea cruise ship will be passing through Symi in the week starting 12 September 2009, on a voyage from Istanbul to Athens. Now that's what I call forward planning.
Meanwhile the crowds are gathering on the quay below our office window, waiting for the Proteus to come in from Rhodes. The orange seller's truck has more empty crates than full ones so bad luck, Tilos and Nissyros. The peripatetic hawkers of everything from cabbages to carpets are an essential part of island life in the winter and everyone waits with interest to see what will roll off the boat next. Limited choices are a characteristic of island life but the very randomness of what those choices are adds an element of excitement never to be found in huge shopping malls where everything is available all year round.
Have a good weekend.
Regards,
Adriana
The Serenade from Cyprus 19 July 2007
0 Comments Published by Mike Gadd on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 12:27:00 PM.
Symi report 22 June
It is a bright sunny day on Symi and the temperature continues to rise. The Greek media have been full of warnings regarding energy saving measures to avoid heatwave related power cuts and downtown Athens is sweltering in the smog. Here on Symi a quick glance out of the window reveals very little human activity as the day trippers are in the shade of cafe bars and tavernas and visitors resident on the island are all on the beach. The excursion boats and water taxis have reported a brisk upturn in business as everyone heads for the relative coolness of the sea. Umbrellas are sprouting like exotic mushrooms on balconies around the harbour and only the foolhardy venture forth without hats.
Speaking of hats, it is now a rare thing indeed to see anyone on a motorbike without a helmet as the new traffic regulations and draconian fines for violations have spread panic amongst locals and visitors alike. With fines in three figures no one is taking chances anymore and the police have been zealous. It may just be urban legend but there is talk that someone has been fined for using a mobile phone while driving and the police are also enforcing the wearing of seat belts and are checking driving licenses.
On the ferry front, the Symi now comes direct to Yialos in the mornings, arriving at about eleven, and leaves again at 14.00 to return to Rhodes via Panormitis. The Symi II is now running a regular tourist schedule, as is the Nikolaos, but as they overnight in Rhodes there is still an inconvenient lack of 18.30 connections from Rhodes to Symi.
Have a peaceful weekend.
Regards,
Adriana
