Wednesday is a busy day for Symi as far as boats are concerned. First of all the Skiadeni goes out at 6.30 to reach Rhodes at 8.00, and the Blue Star Diagoras usually comes in around 7.30 – ish, though this Wednesday it arrived at midday.
The Dodecanese Express comes in at 9.20 and heads ‘up the line’ to Agathonisi and back, calling back here in the afternoon. Then the day boats come in at some point, usually the Symi Sea Dreams and the Nikolaos X, and then the Panagia Skiadeni coming back from Rhodes via Panormitis; all bringing day trippers with them.
While all this is going on we have the pleasure boats, the gin palaces, the yachts and the fishing boats going in and out too. And then at around 4.30 in the afternoon we get the traffic jams as the Skiadeni heads off to Rhodes again, the Blue Star comes back in from Rhodes and the Cruise ship calls in and tries to dock, all at the same time. At least, that’s how it was last year, this year I notice that someone has thought to stagger things by a few minutes so there’s not the same blasting of horns and jostling for position in the queue.
The things you see from a balcony eh? And talking of things you see…
Here’s a photo from Allan, here on holiday. It was taken at Steno, the kafeneion down in Yialos that is fast getting a reputation for its hospitality. Extreme mezethes are included in your drinks order, it seems, and so is live music and even dancing, especially in the evenings. When you’re in Yialos it’s down the lane that leads to St John’s church. Just ask and ye shall find. Sounds like a good night out.
Not that I have been having nights out, nothing past 10.00 pm, not recently. What with alarms and cats and sometimes both going off at 5.30 or 5.45 and then going out for a fast walk up a long slow hill, followed by a slow jog down the same hill, and a morning of typing, I’m physically and mentally done in come lunchtime. But, siesta or no, I am then back into more writing or proofing or house cleaning or table painting, and then stop at 4.30-ish for a glass before, salad, film and sleep. A great routine and I am not complaining!
So, I’ll leave you with some same old sunrise shots and go and see what housework still needs doing – I’ve been listening to Neil pottering around with buckets and brooms so I am hoping I’ve delayed long enough…
