Tizmy - D string's Memories

Greek holidays

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By D string
7th June 1993 - 7th June 2007

My first taste of greek food, music, culture, scenery etc was back in early 1990s and i fell in love immiediately. My first destination was Skiathos a small island with plenty of very good beaches and reasonable nightlife which mostly consists of taverna's, whilst there we {Mel, Parents Myself and her nephew liam}. visited two neighbouring islands Skopelos and allonisos both very attractive and untouched at the time. We later had another two weeks at skiathos a lot of building had taken place but it was still a very nice island to visit all be it a little expensive in greek terms. I learnt a little greek on my first visit and on our return had picked up much more due to over travel around greece.

My next visit was to a little fishing village called stoupa on the pelloponese in southern greece it had beautiful beaches backed by mountains that reared up to a magnificent 8000ft still capped with snow in early summer this holiday had temperatures of 100f+ everyday and that was in may. We hired a car for the first time abroad and had two nights away, 1st was in neapoli {newcity}, then on to monavassia, a huge rock out to sea with a ancient village plus many monestries which are all still in use. Then on to mystra's at the foot of the tayegetes mountains overlooking sparta for our 2nd night, we were the only english to visit in many years, then back to stoupa via the langada pass not for the faint hearted {This journey was the start of things to come }. Mel and I hired a moped for the rest of our visit "what a liberating feeling" most of the days were spent under plain trees in lovely village squares talking with the locals eating and drinking "WOW", Then down to the beach early evening for a dip in the Crystal clear azure sea. This area had some of the most unusual fish i have seen in greece {Due mostly to the underwater springs coming direct from the mountains} On this holiday were Mel, Myself her Mum, Dad brothers Nigel, David wives Nick, Kay and kids Sam, abbey - Dylon, Liam

Next came Corfu in "may" to a little village called Arillis set amongst pines and huge olive trees this place is very green and alive with the sound of crickets etc. Whilst on this island we visited the little satelite isle of Mathraki very peaceful. We again hired a car for a few days and travelled around staying at the very touristy but stunning Paliokastritsa, Then had 2 nights at a very tiny harbour called Nissaki were we hired an 300 year old house which was built into the harbour very tranquil and alive with lizards, we then stayed in the much livelier harbour resort of Kassiopi. On this holiday were Mel her Mum, Dad and Liam, David, Kay, Dylon, Myself and friends Lee, Jenny and two lads brad and Tyler.

Well back to Skiathos for our second visit basically chilled out did plenty of snorkelling sunbathing etc. On this holiday were Mel her Mum, Dad and Liam and Myself

One year later we were to visit the island of Kos a small resort called Mastahari we travellled the full length of the isle. and across to the island of Kaliminos { quite mountainous } This holiday stands out because we made some real good greek friends Manos {Farmer/Barman} and Addonis {Builder} plus many more and had some real good times years later we came back for a two night visit and got v.i.p treatment. I do remember this being a very windy island but it was hot.

Arrived on Crete for our first visit to the island, did'nt know anything of were we were going, we stayed at a place called Kamisiana in the west, Me, mel and many sheep, We hired a car for the whole holiday and travelled east for a few nights, first to a place called Sitia a working town with no glamour but with its own individual appeal, next morning on to one of crete's famous beaches "Via" very sunny but not so warm onwards to a town called ierapetra on the south coast a lot warmer. Then on to our next nights accomodation at Nea Mirtos to relax looking over the Lybian sea watching the sun fall seductively from the sky. Up and away the next morning along the south coast to a small village called Matala with 100s of ancient tombs cut in the cliff, "later used by hippies". Onwards along the south coast. The mountain ranges are growing all the time to a very small fishing village called Chora Skafion. A lazy evening then to bed early. Heading north the next morning up the Imbros Gorge along very winding narrow roads to the bustling town of Rethymnos staying the night right on the sea front, were we had plenty of lively fun. Back to Kamisiana to find out it had been very wet and windy for three days. A few days rest and then south west this time through the heart of the white mountains absolutely a must, Golden eagles etc by the dozen then down to the very inviting lybian sea again, to the small town of Paleochora a very deceiving place full of life by night with characters from all over europe planning trips across to africa not too sure they were legal trips next day round to the best cretian beach of ellafonisia "wow" warm crystal seas with bright pink sands. Our first greek hol with just the two of us.

Off to Parga set in three lovelly bays with a very nice fishing harbour set on the mainland in an area called epirius where the mountains come right down to the very clear sea, this turned out to be another very hot holiday. We spent four days locally before setting off on another epic journey, firstly up through the mountains to the big city or Ioannina with its huge lake with a backdrop of mountains, the city had a lot of turkish influence in its architecture we left about midday to travel north to my now favourite mainland destination of Vikos Ferangi {gorge} reputed to be the deepest in the world, absolutley AWESOME staying in an old stone built house very cold at night. Next day we moved on through largely deserted villages and towns "very eerie" before arriving at the city of Kastoria built on an headland sticking out onto a rather large lake here they relied on Beever skins for trade we stayed here for the night. North again to the albainian/ macedoniain border to a very small village called Psarades on the shores of megala Prespa a very large lake 30 miles in diameter here we had an old greek man take us on his boat to look at monestries out on the islands off the shores of albania we were followed by large flocks of pelicans it was a really awesome place then we headed south travelling through convoys of greek army tanks artillery etc {To find out later that albania / macedonia were at war }. We arrived at the city of Eddessa built on a very sheer ridge with waterfalls cascadeing over the edge, we had to stay in somebodys house as the hotels etc were all booked up. On to the aegean coast down past the majestic Mt Olympus to a town called Leptokaria we stayed one night here and had some of the best food in greece i have had, again it had been years since they had english tourists. Next morning on to Meteora here there are many {approx 30 } monasteries built upon pinnicles of rock some as high as 1000ft, the views from below and above are just out of this world and the monasteries are stunning both inside and out. We stayed one night { not enough} and carried on back to parga. Whilst there we visited the fabled Necremantium {Gate to Hades} bit of a let down but the surrounding area was full of the most amazing wildlife. We travelled across to the island of Lefada to a small village called Poros very nice indeed and had a night right next to the sea.

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D string's Memories

Greek holidays

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