July 2013 - Friday 12th - Summer on Ithaca is all about the people.
Left - Fellow popsters Jerome and Poppy ('Snake in the hole' video) with Denis, Aleka and Jerome's cousin from Australia (below left)
Above - Artist, Candy Katsamas and Below - George Katsamas. George was born in Anoghi and left with his family after the '53 earth quakes to settle in Australia. Candy and George are here from Byron Bay in NSW.
Left - Tasia and Lazeros from St. Elias villa in Stavros enjoy a little downtime and a late dinner with Ronnie (Ronnie Construction) aiding and abetting the humour.
Saturday 13th - The past few days have been a little cooler than expected for this time of year. The wind has also picked up, cooling off the nights. Don't worry, it's still swimming weather.
Lots of boats, both in the harbours and on the sea. I'm sure Ithaki would feel the pinch if it wasn't for Flotillas sailing in.
Left - Fiorendino Cafe Bar in Frikes, where young and old while away a little time.
Above - Jimmy from Kiki's mini market in Frikes, has that charm about him.
Left - The basket man. This gypsey has set up shop on the bayside road in Frikes, making baskets and repairing chairs. Locals are bringing him their worn out wickers to rejuvenate and fix, while tourists (and me) take photos and maybe buy a basket or two.
Sunday 14th - The days just blend one into the other now, but yesterday there was a noticable difference in the amount of traffic on the roads. Occasional congestion, people driving too fast on the wrong side of the road, let's hope that everyone's brakes work. Ithaki's roads are narrow and sometimes you just have to pull over to let on coming traffic pass. Large buses and delivery trucks tend to take up a big portion of the roads.
Left - View to Frikes coming from the north. The local swimming hole at the pier is a popular place to dive in for locals and visitors alike.
Left - The water is always the most aqua on the edge of the coastline. If you like swimming further out, then best be prepared to share the water with sailing and speed boats, oh and the occasional ferry too.
Left - View to the 2nd Krouvoulia beach outside of Frikes.
Above - Pete from Fiorendino shares his wisdom around.
Left - The Nostos Hotel has a great big swimming pool which is not only for the Nostos guests, but also open to the public for around 5 euro. I believe you also get a free coffee and of course use of the sun lounges and umbrellas with the very handy snack and refreshments bar close by. Locals have been taking advantage of the Nostos facilities for some time, always a great place for a birthday celebration for instance.
Left - The late afternoon sun glares across Stavros, blinding us to the horizon and any detail on the mountain sides.
Although the timetable states the Dion solomos ferry will be taking over the Ithaki - Patras route on the 22nd July, the fact is it's already started. For now it's still just doing one trip to the mainland. I guess the double route will start on the 22nd.
We haven't had the most stable of ferry timetables over the past year, so before you travel, best to contact the local travel agent to make sure everything is running on time and from the right port.
Monday 15th - Summer and beach parties go hand in hand so well. We have to have at least one in the season. On Sunday 21st at Filiatro beach in the south of Ithaca, you can get along and enjoy the party. Warm up DJ is Dimos Kostopoulos, Ithaki's own drummer (and occasionally mine). He's sure to have a good mix of Greek and international music.
Left and Below - Sunday morning at Yefuri for brunch was as busy as a full summer's day. Tavli, breakfast and catching up with friends over a delicious breakfast.
Below - Yefuri cat is all chilled out, sleeping on a speaker which vibrates the kitty into a long sleep, occasionally it's paw lifts with a beat of the music.
At this time of the year we say hello and goodbye almost on a daily basis, as people come for their holidays and then leave again when their time is up. Living on this island has given us all the opportunity to make new friends from all corners of the globe, some remaining friends over a life time.
Above - A delicious pavlova for dessert.
Above and Left - Photographs by Masos Deftereos. Last week the youth sailing competition coloured up the bay and some happy winners accepted their tophies in Vathy.
Tuesday 16th - Warm days and comfortable nights these days. The misty summer skies desaturate the colours, but Ithaca still has quite a bit of green to soften this season with.
Each day, we notice more and more cars parked around the swimming bays, more people in the streets and many more customers at the local tavernas, north and south.
What I so love about this island and the gathering of people to enjoy the splendor of our summer, is that regardless of the differences, be they economic, cultural, religious or otherwise, Ithaca and the soul of Ithaca, connects us all as if we were born into the same family. Those who come to the island, year after year, know that better than anyone. Once you've been bitten by Ithaca, it's an itch that just won't stop.
Left - Kioni Bay. As the sun sets behind Kefalonia, Kioni bathes in a golden light.
The national strike today was no doubt disruptive to many, but luckily the ferries did not participate, although some flights may have been cancelled today, most travelers would have reached their destinations.
Now that it's getting busier all around the island, the traffic increases dramatically, so let's all be very careful. As is common, some of those on holiday, forget that roads are for cars, so please look around and take care. Our holiday mode can sometimes blind us to the things we would never take for granted at home.
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INVOLVE ALL ARMS OF TRANSPORT.
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GENERAL STRIKE PLANNED FOR
TUESDAY 16TH OF JULY WHICH MAY
INVOLVE ALL ARMS OF TRANSPORT.
TO KEEP INFORMED, THIS WEBSITE
USUALLY HAS RELIABLE INFORMATION
AND DETAILS ON ALL THINGS 'STRIKE'
https://livingingreece.gr/strikes/
GENERAL STRIKE PLANNED FOR
TUESDAY 16TH OF JULY WHICH MAY
INVOLVE ALL ARMS OF TRANSPORT.
TO KEEP INFORMED, THIS WEBSITE
USUALLY HAS RELIABLE INFORMATION
AND DETAILS ON ALL THINGS 'STRIKE'
https://livingingreece.gr/strikes/
GENERAL STRIKE PLANNED FOR
TUESDAY 16TH OF JULY WHICH MAY
INVOLVE ALL ARMS OF TRANSPORT.
TO KEEP INFORMED, THIS WEBSITE
USUALLY HAS RELIABLE INFORMATION
AND DETAILS ON ALL THINGS 'STRIKE'
https://livingingreece.gr/strikes/
GENERAL STRIKE PLANNED FOR
TUESDAY 16TH OF JULY WHICH MAY
INVOLVE ALL ARMS OF TRANSPORT.
TO KEEP INFORMED, THIS WEBSITE
USUALLY HAS RELIABLE INFORMATION
AND DETAILS ON ALL THINGS 'STRIKE'
https://livingingreece.gr/strikes/
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
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