The Skiathos Bulletin Board

BB & LB · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 234 Location: Lincoln, UK

I apologise for the length of this, but I hope you enjoy.

31 Aug 2007

We left East Midlands ½ an hour late at 0535, but only arrived Skiathos 15 minutes late at 1045 local. Our luggage was delivered to the carousel very quickly. Picked up Suzuki Jimny from Victoria Car Rental desk at the airport and we arrived at the Skiathos Diamond Apartments at 11.40.

Soula met us with her usual friendliness and showed us to our apartment. More on that on the Accommodation Thread later, just to say these apartments are excellent.

We recovered from the journey next to the pool.

We ate at the Paradosi Taverna in Troulos, owned by Christos and Soula who own the Diamond Apartments. What was even better was that they gave us the meal on the house, what a lovely couple.

1 Sep 2007

We awoke at 0500, because some idiot (OK it was me) had turned the Air Con on full blast and it had been on like that all night, it must have been just above freezing point in that room, doors full of condensation, on the outside!

Spent the day on Banana Beach, not too busy

We ate at Infinity Blue, which although it has nice views, we were not at all impressed with, (probably the second worse place we ate in two weeks, yet was the most expensive). When we arrived they said the table was reserved again at 2130 and the food was not really up to much.

We finished the night off with a drink in the Kahili Taverna in Ag Paraskevi.

2 Sep 2007

When we woke there were very dark clouds and it was pouring with rain, so we went for a drive.

We visited Nikotsaras Port driving along some very steep, rough tracks. The views at the bay were very impressive, especially with a northerly blow. We then visited Evagelistria Monastery, which we always do on bad weather days. LB fell in love with one ginger kitten that curled up on her lap and went to sleep and then we visited the new monastery museum for the first time. Then we went into town for lunch, eating in the old harbour. We ascended up to the clock tower to admire the views and then the heavens really opened just as we returned to the jeep. We did mange an hour by the pool before dinner though.

We parked up the top of town and walked down through the old town to the Plakes Taverna, another place we had not tried and we were quite impressed. This was followed by a walk through town, before returning to the Kahili Taverna in Ag Paraskevi for a nightcap.

3 Sep 2007

Grey clouds again this morning. After walking to Ag Paraskevi Beach to see the fire damage, the rain abated and we drove across to Kechria Beach, where the weather started to improve, so we drove back via the dog sanctuary )about 20 people out walking dogs) and Asselinos Beach. We went to Big Banana in the afternoon, as by now there were clear blue skies.

We ate in the Taverna Kahili in Ag Paraskevi and were not at all impressed (the worst meal all holiday). The mosquitoes were prevalent, although neither of us was bitten. The food was only just warm. We stopped off at a pool bar near Infinity Blue for a drink.

4 Sep 2007

We had a walk to Vrom Beach and back via Kolios Beach. Went to Banana again, which was busy and we found our first Skiathos Pearl after asking someone what they looked like.

We went into town to eat at the Carnayo Taverna on the harbour front near the main bus terminal. We knew this taverna was good after last year and LB reckons the Kleftiko is to die for.

Walking along the harbour front after, we saw people advertising the Greek Cat Welfare Society and we spoke to them for a while. More details on that soon if you’re interested.

5 Sep 2007

Spent the day on Banana (Yes I know, but we think it’s the best beach on the island). The weather was OK until about 1400 when it clouded over, so we went back to apartment and relaxed on the patio. We drove around the Kanapitsa headland before going into Troulos and eating at Nectar and Ambrosia for the first time. This taverna is impressive and the ambience is wonderful, the waitresses dress in ancient Greek dress, the menu’s look like stone tablets and the drinks are served in pot mugs. The food was excellent and plentiful and probably the best we have eaten on the island in 3 visits.

We had a drink at the pool bar at the Theodora apartments just up the road to the Diamond. We were the only customers, but spoke to Mark the barman and he allowed us to use his laptop to post a message on this forum and told him about the Windmill Webcam which we logged onto.

6 Sep 2007

We drove over to Mandraki Beach for a look and then back via Krifi Amos (Hidden Beach) before going to Banana. Quite a chilly breeze today and the sea state was up. After an hour it got too much for LB and we decided to drive over to Kanapitsa Beach, which was more sheltered. We saw a small fire develop on the hillside, but I don’t think it was bush, more like a vehicle fire (black smoke). Just after the smoke disappeared, the fire engine went up the road blue lighting.

We ate the Paradosi Taverna again, but were plagued with wasps, probably because LB had a banana fruit juice! Tsatziki tonight! We stopped for a drink at the Theodora pool bar again.

7 Sep 2007

A cloudless sky, but very chilly. We walked to Ag Paraskevi and then turned right up the valley, right next to the limit of the recent fire. There were many properties that it seemed to have gone round and even more were lucky that it stopped at there boundary.

We decided that we would spend the day at the pool, but as the day went on the cloud built and got threatening, so we drove to Kastro via the newly laid tarmac road! As we arrived, a huge storm went through, so we stayed in the jeep for 15 minutes looking at the views, (what could be seen through the torrential rain).

A coffee was needed, so we went to the taverna at the end of the runway, taking photos of the arriving and departing aircraft for an hour or so. Suddenly the weather cleared to clear blue skies.

We went back to Nectar and Ambrosia Taverna, because we were so impressed the first time. It was so chilly this time, I had to wear long trousers and my jacket.

8 Sep 2007

We decided on the pool again today as it was still a bit nippy (very warm by lunchtime though). It was very quite by the pool.

Tonight, we went up to Agnadio Taverna overlooking the runway. The wind had dropped and it was a very pleasant evening and great views. The food was as always very good and the staff extremely friendly.

We trundled into town after for a walk (shopping trip according to LB). The Carnayo Taverna had big open fires burning in the outdoor hearths.

9 Sep 2007

Boomerang Day!

We spent the day on Banana, a bit cold to start before the Sun got to work. The sea state was up but it was bearable.

Having parked up behind the Carnayo Taverna, we walked to the old port and ate at a taverna along the front (we weren’t sure if anybody was eating at the gathering). At 2000, we walked up to taverna Alexandros to be greeted by a multitude of boomerangers, who noted our matching Boomerang Club T-Shirts (how Howard and Hilda!). A great evening was had by all and a great big thank you to Magda for all her efforts. Of course, nobody else had eaten prior to the gathering, so we both sat there watching everybody else eat. Thanks to Vulcan, Co-pilot, Ian, Geoff, AForrest, Suejet, Adrianxw, Biblia, Kriandos, Lindyloo, SLJohn, Rainer and anyone else I have forgotten for a very memorable evening.

We left early (being earlybirds), at about 2330, but I do believe a few, mentioning no names like other people, went on until it was nearly light!

10 Sep 2007

A still cloudless sky, although I don’t think some of the boomerangers probably saw it.

We went for a drive up the track that went right through the fire affected area of the island. What a moonscape up there, but there are already green shoots at the base of most of the plants up there. Went to Banana again, no wind and very warm.

After not eating there last night, we decided to eat at the Taverna Alexandros. Magda recognised us and the food was extremely good and the ambience most welcoming.

11 Sep 2007

It was a hot still day again. Today we went to Banana again via a drive through the Mandraki Wood and back via Krifi Amos. We have named a couple of the regulars we have seen down there, I apologise if any of these people read this forum (hopefully not very likely).

Standing Man (Stands strangely, legs akimbo towards the Sun)
New Trunks Man (A new pair on every day)

There are a few others, but I will not name them on this board for fear of not being PC).

After refreshing at the apartment, we drove back down to Banana to watch the sunset with a Mythos from the taverna.

Tonight we ate at the newly refurbished Elias Restaurant at the Mandraki Village and afterwards a drink in the “Ice Bar” by the pool. It all looked very posh, especially as we were probably one of the last guests to stay there last September, before the refurbishment when it looked decidedly shabby. I think they may have priced themselves out of the market, there were only a couple of tables taken in the restaurant and we were the only ones at the bar. The food was very good though, although more expensive than most other tavernas.

12 Sep 2007

We awoke to the wind howling outside, plant pots strewn all over the place. After breakfast, we went for another drive through the Mandraki Wood then to track above Banana to suss out the wind conditions. It looked like it would be a bit uncomfortable, so we decided on Abelekia Beach to get the shelter. By 1130, it had got too breezy on Abelekia and cloud was gathering to the NW, so we went back to pool, but this was even windier. In the afternoon, we drove back up the Monastery for LB to see the kittens again, then too Cape Kefalos for the views and then round the airport via Xanemos Beach to the taverna at the end of the runway. On arriving we pulled up next to Vulcan and Co-pilot and joined them for coffee in the taverna, with a few excursions to the end of the runway for photos when the aircraft left.

In the evening, we drove up to the Punta Peninsular to overlook the town, before eating the Mouria Taverna in the Old Town. It was very busy in here, which usually means one thing and we were not disappointed, the food was very good. A short shopping trip up Pap Street and a walk around the Bourtzi before the drive back to Kolios. There was a very posh Gin Palace in the Old Port tonight.

13 Sep 2007

It was still windy outside this morning. We drove from Kolios via the back tracks up through the fire damaged area again coming out at the dog shelter. We decide on Banana today, to the far right, where it was more sheltered from the wind. It turned out to be very pleasant here, but everybody had the same idea and it got a bit cramped by the afternoon.

For our last evening meal we decided on Nectar and Ambrosia again, going for the last night steak this time, as well as a starter and dessert. Stuffed by the end I can tell you.

We stopped at the Paradosi Taverna on the way back to say our goodbyes to Christos and Soula, as we would be leaving early in the morning. LB gave Soula a pot plant as a thank you to them for their hospitality. Soula asked that we do not leave before 0830 the next morning so she could say goodbye properly.

14 Sep 2007

We awoke early and finished packing. At 0830 Soula arrived only having 4 hours sleep and said her goodbyes giving us a small present of a picture frame, all nicely wrapped.

Checked in just after 0900 and went up to taverna for a coffee. Watched the flight arrive on time and we ended up leaving 5 minutes late. A stop in Kavala for 40 minutes and we were on the way home. We arrived at East Midlands 1 minute early at 1444; by 1530 we were on the road. Unfortunately because of Friday evening traffic, it took us 2 ½ hours to drive to Lincoln, via the cattery, to home.

This was a very pleasant 3rd trip to the island and I am sure in the next few weeks we will be booking for next year! (Maybe last week in June this time).

All the Best for your future visits,

BB & LB
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Roll on 2009!

adrianxw · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

Lindyloo · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 118 Location: Skiathos

Wonderful write up, very enjoyable read thanks BB&LB!
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