The Skiathos Bulletin Board

educator · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 41 Location: North Yorkshire

Having missed my normal last week of the season in Skiathos I thought I would add a few days on the Island to a semi-business trip to Greece.

I flew to Thessaloniki via Athens and then took the train to Leptokaria on the coast going South for a Convention of teachers of English. (That's the kind of thing Educators do!!) I then got the bus to Volos and had a meal and drinks with friends. On the Tuesday got the Flying Cat to the Island and stayed for 4 nights in the Meltemi one of a few hotels open out of season.

The weather was very mixed but I was happy just to have meals with friends. Batis was open and I eat with Christos and Helen a couple of times and they were telling me of American film stars that have houses on the Island and eat there out of season. Apparently some were there on the Saturday before I was there and on the Tuesday night that I eat there.

I had a meal at Alexandros with Taxiarchis and his wife Helen of Taxiarchis Studios. They were the first of the locals that I got to know and they are still my longest standing friends on the Island. Yannis was looking after us at Alexandros and as usual did an excellent job.

I went for walks out to the airport and along the beach at Megali Ammos it is strange being the only soul around. I am used to it as I have been out of season for the last 3 years.

I got the Olympic flight to Athens on the Saturday night and flew home on Sunday. All in all a very good experience. I would recommend it for those who can get away. It was significant for me because I was celebrating my retirement, (that was my last business trip to Greece, the next trips will be tourist only!!) and my 60th Birthday which was the same as Suejets, yes the celebrations have gone on for weeks!

End of missive!!

Foxy · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

How long did the train journey & flights take?

suejet · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:04 am Post subject:

Hi there Educator,

Great report!

When are you going next?

Where is the Meltemi Hotel? and who are the filmstars?

Keep on celebrating our Birthday!
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you heard it here first - BOJAN!

Foxy · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:01 am Post subject:

Meltemi is in the middle of the tavernas on the front. Think it's next to Fresh Bar......or just a few yards along anyway.

educator · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 41 Location: North Yorkshire

Foxy,
I took the first KLM flight out of Teesside Airport on the Friday morning. 06-00 via Amsterdam to Athens arrive approx 14-40. Then Olympic to Thessaloniki I think it went at 15-40 then Taxi to Thessaloniki station and caught the 17-55 train to Leptokaria and got there at 19-05. I was in my hotel room by 19-30. Bar by 19-37!!

The bus to Volos on Sunday late afternoon took about 2 and a half hours.
I stayed in the Hotel Philippos which was clean, reasonably priced and with friendly staff.

By the way maybe Yakubu was not so bad a signing??
Boro 2 Arsenal 1???????

educator · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 41 Location: North Yorkshire

Suejet,

As you see the Meltemi is overlooking the yacht harbour. I have stayed at the San Remo as well out of season, but the Meltemi seemed to be busier. When I arrived 11 rooms out of 15 were occupied, mainly with workers but there were at least 3 rooms of visitors.

Next trip either Greek Easter or my usual first week of the season probably with Taxiarchis again!!

suejet · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

Hi Educator,

I get the prize for being a muppet! Doh, I actually passed the Hotel every day, even more unbelievable, I had drinkies most evenings at a bar next to Fresh called Meltemi Bar, it didn't occur to me that was where you stayed. I suppose that the bar belongs to the Hotel then.

It's nice sitting there in those comfy leather seats with an aperitif watching the world go by.

Which weekend is Greek Easter next year?
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Ian · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject:

suejet · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ian

I am wondering why our Easter next year falls 21 - 23 March,
4 weeks before Greek Orthodox Easter?
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Ksenos · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 45 Location: Dursley - UK

Hmmm! It's very complicated... but simplistically The Greek Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar when calculating Easter whereas 'Western' Churches use the Gregorian calendar.
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suejet · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ksenos.
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educator · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 41 Location: North Yorkshire

I don't think I could have explained it as well!!!

Ian · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject:

The Greek Easter is much more interesting - whichever calendar is used ...
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Counting down the months to the next visit - Click here to see why ...

Foxy · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: Educator 27/11/07 to 2/12/07