Monday 13th - Unsettled skies over the past couple of days. We didn't know if it would rain or shine, somehow though, the sun did win out eventually each day.
Tourist organizations from Ithaca are writing letters of complaint about the propsed change in our ferry service during the high season, stating rightly, that this change by Ionian Ferries company, will greatly impede on our tourism on Ithaca. With the economic crisis slicing so close to our bones, I personally find it appalling that a Greek company would so callously show how little it is concerned by Ithaca's community needs. A blatant kick in the head to every family on the island. Families trying to keep their heads above water in this tempramental economic climate.
Our pleas of common decency have been falling on deaf ears unfortunately. It appears Ionian Ferries don't consider Ithaca profitable enough to make any concessions for us. As we can't seem to get Ionian Ferries to listen, a government body should intervene. Ithaca makes it's living off tourism. We insist on a ferry service that meets the needs of the island. Kefalonia has many ferry services to the mainland, big shiney ferries, we have the Ionis, an old, very small ferry that's too slow and doesn't have the capacity for a summer run. So that Kefalonia can get 2 trips to Patras in 1 day, the company has informed us that there will be no ferry from Patras to Ithaca in the afternoon, only at night. We can't have tourists turning up at Piso Aetos port at mid night, it's barely equipped to be a port, let alone a first stop for a visitor.
Ionian Ferries have the monopoly on this route and it appears they have the power to edge us out whenever they feel like it with little to no notice. Unfair practices!!
May 2013 - Monday 6th - This morning we were greeted with a 30C degree day, humid and sultry. Best place to be? In the water of course. Each year Judith Levy from Dendra Estate holds an Easter bbq to which she invites most of the holiday reps, friends and Dendra guests. It's alway a great way to spend the afternoon. Her beautiful estate, with Tuscan style gardens is so very charming and exploding with colours of Spring. If you're here through a holiday company, CLICK HERE or on photograph left to meet some of the people who will be introducing you to Ithaca.
Tonight we have the Odysseas Easter Dance at the Stavros Community Hall. There'll be 'live' music with one of Ithaki's favourtie accordian players, Makis Andrianatos and his musical friends.
A very busy day around the island today. Seems all the people on Ithaca for Easter have finally ventured out. Cafes are buzzing, restaurants too. It's like we've suddenly been propelled into Summer.
Happy holidays on Ithaca everyone!!!
Tuesday 7th - Today is a little overcast with only occasional patches of sunshine, but the thunderstorms some weather sites predicted yesterday, didn't eventuate. The temperatures are still very mild and our Ionian is warming up nicely for the holiday season ahead.
Easter is always a busy time on Ithaki, but we may be in for a little shock when all the people here for Easter, depart again until the Summer. After a hectic week, we'll all be twiddling our thumbs waiting for something to happen. We should be used to this, it happens every year, but still it's a bit of a let down.
Last night Odysseas Football team held it's annual fundraising Easter Dance at the Community Hall in Stavros. What a great turn out. Lots of Kefi (Good Cheer) and dancing. The made, made up of some of our musical locals, did their best to keep the dance floor full.
For more photographs of the Easter Dance, CLICK HERE or on photograph Left.
On Friday the 10th May, you can head along to the Vathy Cultural Center for the play 'The Miser' by Moliere. It will be presented and performed by the Vathy Secondary School. Play starts at 21.15 hrs.
Remeber to check the Events Calendar for things to do around the island.
Wednesday 8th - Last night Spiros Koutsouvelis and Elizabeth Schaefer gave a piano and viola recital at the old school in Kioni, featuring a classical piece of music written by one of Ithaki's own musicians and composers, Nektarios Karantzis who now resides in Thessalonika. The piece was inspired by Nyritos, Ithaki's mountain and heart. CLICK HERE or on photograph above Left.
Wednesday 8th - Many people left today after the big Easter week, still there was lots going on around the island with the visitors here for their holidays and with day tripper boats here and there. As those here just for Easter leave the island through the rest of this week, we'll see more tour group arrivals, painters, writers, walkers... The yachts are also coming in regularly now. Flotilla groups seem to have their bookings up again this year.
Above - Penelope Restaurant in Frikes is open for business again. 3 new managements in 3 years. Let's hope this one sticks. It's nice to have the corner of the village showing some life again.
Left - Libro D'Oro in Frikes has taken up the other edge of the village strip and by all reports is doing fine. Delicious snacks and beverages with friendly service.
The skies were a little lack lustre at various times of the day, especially late in the day, almost looking like rain was on it's way. A chillier breeze also had us putting our jackets on again.
Thursday 9th - It started off a bright and sunny day, but as we continued past midday, it slowly began to cloud over with some unsettled skies coming down from the north. There's a fresh northerly breeze keeping the temperatures down. Not quite the Indian summer we had over the Easter weekend.
Left - Krouvoulia beach No.2 has been a favourite place to swim, not only for locals, but also for the thousands of visitors that have set foot on our shores.
Left & Above - The Day Tripper is back in Frikes from Lefkada, bringing hungry people to the village for lunch and a bit of souvenir shopping.
Like predicted, today the island is very much quieter than the past week. It's a bit of a let down as most of us were all wound up, ready for the Season to begin in ernest, but with Easter so late this year, the past week was only a teaser for what's still to come.
To the visitors on the island, a little sunshine is all that's needed to head directly to the beach. A fresh little breeze can't stop them.
While the Council is tarring bits and pieces of our roads around the island, maybe it could lay a little tar over the hairpin bend in Platrithia, just before Yefyri. Although the road was widened a couple of years ago, the seam to connect the road to the extension is another accident waiting to happen. Most people drive in the middle of the road here because the seam area is too rough. There've been a few unfortunate, and luckily not serious accidents here. So, next time the Council has a few euros, please throw them at this section of road. With visitors to the island, who are not accustomed to the Ithaki way of driving, we surely want to avoid any more accidents.
Below - Just before Easter I made a video to one of my songs from 2012 and invited some locals to do a little dance. The song has explicit content, so not for kids, otherwise I'd put the link here. It's all tongue in cheek, but still... If you want to see it just google 'lola demo youtube'.
Left - Niko Douglas from The Gods gift shop in Frikes, is still enjoying entertaining visitors at the local shop in Ag. Sarantas.
This morning I headed along to Mavrona Bay for the Ag. Nikolaos Festival, held each year by the Kioni community. There's always such a nice atomosphere here with friendly locals welcoming Ithacans and visitors to Ithaca alike.
Click Here or on photograph Left for more photographs of this celebration.
Ithaca may be in for another round of garbage collection strikes. Let's hope our Mayor will find a solution before the bins get too full.
Sunday 12th - Great weather these past days, also starting to warm up again, after a couple of chillier days. As is usual, the afternoon brings with it a little wind, but it dies down again by dusk.
Left - Lefki views.
Last night I went along to the 2nd night of 'The Miser', a 5 act comedy by Moliere, put on by the Vathy High School Theatre group at the Cultural Center in Vathy. What a great night of humour. The Theatre group was right on point in their performance. Everyone there had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Lots of laughs.
For more photographs of The Miser, CLICK HERE or on photograph Left.
If you're going down to Vathy by car, be aware that it's revenue collection time again, so the port police are writing lots of tickets. Don't give them a reason to write one out for you. Park away from the Village Square to be on the safe side.
The Homeric Writers Retreat is on again this year. A special workshop for writers wanting to get published. Tips and tutorials on better writing skills and how to get published, from professionals in the industry. The Homeric Workshop takes place on Ithaca between 1 - 7 August 2013. The fee includes accommodation at the Nostos Hotel in Frikes, breakfast, excursions, a welcome dinner and farewell dinner at Rementzo Restaurant in Frikes and much more. Head instructor for 2013 is Literary Agent, Katherine Sands from New York. Guest instructor, Beatriz Badikian-Gartler, Argentinian author now living in Chicago, and published author, Jessica Bell. If you book with a friend for a twin share, you can get a 15% discount.
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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.
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.