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July 2013 - Thursday 25th - We're all a bit confused. The weather is better than the height of summer, yet it's nearly time to prepare for the olive season.
Above - Juan is probably one of the most recognized faces of the transient population of ithaki. He tours his guests around on his yacht from Majorca. Maybe I'll stow away one day ;)
Above - Where else in the world do you see people in their (almost) underwear, walking around the main street.
Left - Azimut Yacht. Sparkling, thanks to the crew who fastidiously clean.
Below - Lucky from Polis Beach. July nights are quite a bit cooler than normal. People are putting on their sweats.
Below - Ronnie from Ronnie construction.
Last night in Frikes, the big yacht moored just outside the bay was none other than Steve Jobs creation. I didn't get a pic, because yachts don't do much for me personally, but there were lots of people excited about it being there. Rumours are also still rife about Madonna. So many have apparently gotten a glimpse of her, but not a single photos on FB. Now that's a little strange. Is she here or was she on a yacht passing by or is she around Meganissi??, where she has apparently invested her cash. Celebrity spotting is this season's preoccupation. As Mulder would say, 'They are walking among us'. I better start putting on my specs. I'd hate to bump into a celebrity and treat them just like anyone else. (ok, that's a little sarcastic, but I'm trying to fill this section with text because I don't have any more photos for today)
Left - Sunset on Vathy bay near Dendraki. A very holy light over the water, with a golden tinge that sparkles across the waves.
Quite a few yachts in the ports last night. North and south were buzzing with maritime joy. Tuesday to Thursday seem to be the busiest times for Flotillas, then over the weekend, it all calms down again.
It's not unusual now to see Day Trippers unloading 400 - 500 passengers when they dock on the island. Things have really picked up now and it's getting a little crazy.
Above - The Yefuri cat keeps watch over diners and passers by, giving a pose for the ithacagreece.com camera.
Below - A 2 day music festival at Filiatro Beach outside of Vathy on the 27th and 28th of July. Live music and dj sets. I got this info a bit late to add it to the Ithaki Calendar, but the line-up looks varied and interesting so should be good fun.
In Kioni, on 11th and 12th of August, there's another music festival at the old Kioni school yard. More live music. Lots of things going on this season!
Saturday 27th - There's no point talking about the weather anymore. It's summer, it's sunny, it's warm. The island is now beginning to vibrate from increased tourism, which is a good thing for all the businesses that survive off it.
This year, I must say, the community has gone way out to bring visitors to the island some culture, but also lots of fun, with beach parties, music festivals and exhibitions. Today there are baptisms and weddings, wine festivals and music festivals. Get out and enjoy!
Left - Vathy bay side under the late afternoon light.
Tonight there's the Wine festival in Perahori. Get along, it's well worth it. Wine from the barrel, food, live music and dancing. Enjoy the traditions Ithaca has in store for you.
Below and Below Left - Just love this face!
Left - Last evening, northern Ithaca opened it's Homeric Ithaca exhibition with texts, also translated into English, about the factual history and the myth. A great turnout and a great exhibtion. It's open every day from 10am - 2pm and again from 7pm to 10pm at the Stavros Exhibition space. Click Here or on photograph Left for more pics and information on the opening night.
Sunday 28th - So much going on around Ithaca this Summer. Keep your eyes on the calendar and of course notice boards around the villages (as I don't know everything that's going on), for what's on around the island. There are exhibitions, live music, performances of all kinds.
Yesterday, Mary and Kosta were married in Frikes. I can share a few pics with you.
Monday 29th - As we count down the end of July, the days are really heating up, both weather-wise and in regard to what's on.
More and more people coming to the island, more traffic, later nights and hotter days. It's festival time in Stavros on the 5th and 6th, which will be the height of our summer season. Two days of BIG fun with food, drink, live music and dancing until the early hours of the morning.
Business owners in Vathy are feeling the squeeze a little since the Dionisios Solomos (Big Ferry) has been docking in Vathy. Why you ask? Well, because the ferry needs quite a large area of the dock to anchor in, the yachts that would usually dock there, are being sent elsewhere after the area allocated is filled. Yachting traffic is what fuels many bayside villages, without it there are losses felt into the winter.
If you want a litte inspiration and a bit of culture, you can also head to the Danai Kouvara exhibition at the old school in Kioni which is on from the 27th July until the 15th August. For more pics and details, CLICK HERE or on photo Left.
Yesterday, I took too many photos to squeeze them all in on this update page, so I made a 'Special' of what I got up to yesterday, Sunday 28th. From the Danai Kouvara Exhibtion in Kioni to the music festival at Filiatro beach with a quick trip around Vathy and a jazz night at Karamela Cafe to end off the night. CLICK HEREor on photograph Left for more.
Wednesday 31st - Last day of July and the summer mist has taken hold, fuzzing up the horizon, making everything seem further away than usual.
Yesterday morning, the Dionisios Solomos ferry got stuck in Vathy due to a mechanical problem. It did go again around lunchtime, but not before some missed their connections by arriving late.
The life of a 'grill man' is far from easy in the summer. Temperatures can reach over 45C behind the grill on a hot day and all that coal burning, really sucks up the oxygen. We love our souvlaki, and rarely give a thought to the poor guy behind the grill.
Below - Plenty of yachts in the harbours, and an especially impressive one, The Victoria?, with a lit up mast in Frikes.
August means party time at the bars around the island. Lots of thumping going on until the early hours of the morning. Not everyone's idea of a holiday, but for the young, and the younger, it's what they live for. Too much of everything until you pass out. Greeks actually hold their liquor very well. Here there is no binge drinking and bar room brawling.
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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
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
Mob/Cell Click on Icon Above.
