February 2013 - Tuesday 19th - With so much rain this winter, it's no surprise that Ithaki is so green and lush. As we head toward March, the Spring flowers are also beginning to blossom across the fields and mountain sides. It's looking pretty spectacular, despite the amount of rain we've had this season.
Left & Below - Polis Bay views.
Despite Mondays being the usual 'let's get our chores in Vathy done' time, the streets were surprisingly quiet apart from the school kids waiting for the bus, there really wasn't much going on at all.
Left - Rain coming down over Kefalonia, on it's way over the Strait toward Ithaki.
Below - You may be interested to know that Ithaca Restaurant in Stavros is open even during the winter, for lunch and dinner. If you haven't been before, you'll be delighted to see the indoor space with it's fire place.
OLIVE OIL COMPETITION
QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE
The competition started in 2008 and awarded for 4 consecutive competitions the best olive oils from every part of Greece. This year (1-3 March 2013) will be the 5 th Competition for quality oil which has now also been made international and the winner rewarded with a gold medal. If you make olive oil, you may want to take part. You can contact Eleotexnia (details left).
Thursday 21st - Absolutely ecstatic to hear that 'The Kefalonia' ferry will be back around April!!! A big thanks to those who worked it and made it happen. I couldn't foresee a happy future for Ithaki (or Kefalonia for that matter) with just 1 small ferry taking over the route. Tourism on the island would have suffered greatly. 'The Kefalonia' is big and fast, and I think there'll be many on the island, if not the majority, who are equally as happy as I about this.
Friday 22nd - Above - Last night's highlight was another candle lit evening due to a power out. A serious problem stemming from Cephalonia, knocked out the power all over Ithaca. It came back on just before midnight.
Saturday 23rd - While Athens was hit by a massive storm yesterday which resulted in thousands being stranded under flood waters, we were quite a bit luckier. It only rained mud on Ithaki. Every car on the island looked like it had buckets of dirt thrown over it, balconies were brown from the muddy rain and puddles deep with mud.
Apart from that, it wasn't too bad. Some sunshine, albeit subdued with a dirty haze that just hovered in the atmosphere, low enough to obscure any clarity.
Above - The Ithaca Photo Center has moved. You can now locate it next to the National Bank in Vathy on the side street toward Kalkanis Restaurant and Nikos Taverna.
Left - Korina Hotel in Vathy. Above - Familia Hotel in Vathy. These 2 hotels are quickly gaining a great reputation for quality and style in a boutique hotel fashion. Both are restored from traditional buildings.
Thursday 28th - Last day of February and the morning has been absolutely stunning. Blue skies, warm sunshine and locals returning to the island after their winter sojourn. It feels like the psyche of the island has changed suddenly. Everyone is more sprightly with Spring, only a day away.
There are signs of Spring everywhere. Flowers blooming in the fields, tree blossoms and wild flowers on the road sides.
Above - George is a linesman on the island. He's out taking his son Apostoli for a walk in the sunshine.
Left - Stathi and Maria may not be at the forefront of tourism on Ithaki, but without them and their laundry business in Vathy, visitors to the island would be washing their own sheets. There are many people behind the scenes making sure your holiday goes without a hitch.
In March, there'll be Carnivals and parties, people out and about again with Spring leading us into Summer and another Season.
From the word on the street, things don't seem to be looking too shabby. Accommodations are getting lots of enquiries coming in, especially in Vathy and Kioni, but don't forget the villages also have some great accommodations and beautiful views.
Send an e-Thiaki Postcard
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to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
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ithacagreece.com Mobile/Cellphone App
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
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Send an e-Thiaki Postcard
A Collection of ithacagreece.com photographs
made into virtual postcards for you to send
to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
want the card to arrive before you do.
ithacagreece.com Mobile/Cellphone App
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
Mob/Cell Click on Icon Above.
