Above - The Nostos Hotel. Venue for the Homeric Writers Retreat, but also a wonderful family run Hotel at which you can dine in house for breakfast lunch and dinner. The swimming pool is also open to the public for a reasonable fee.
Below - The photos have looked more wintery than summery so we headed around some of the northern beaches to get you all back in the mood for your summer holiday. Below - Krouvoulia 3 beach.
Below - Krouvoulia NO.2 Beach.
Above - Frikes from the pier.
Don't forget the Stavros Panighiri is coming up on the 5th and 6th of August in the Stavros square. Believe me, you can't miss it. The entire village is transformed into a festival. It's the biggest summer celebration, so get along, drink, eat and be merry. Lots of dancing and live music as per usual.
August 2014 - Friday 1st - Ok, I'm not going to lie. It's not the best start to August. The skies are quite a bit cloudy and it even rained earlier today as the thickest and blackest clouds formed above Anoghi and Chani. Just after midday the thermometer read 23C. Not the best temps for swimming, but it won't stay like this long, at least that's something we can count on for now.
Happy August!!
Left - Last night in Kioni at Spavento bar, a rather drunken table decided they'd like to see their drinks in the bay. In went the table, the chair, and after some swaying back and forth, the person responsible for the table setting ending up in the water in the first place. Luckily these people were achored down for the night and driving.
Saturday 2nd - Well, visitors weren't the only people to wonder what had happened to the weather yesterday. Locals were also scratching their heads wondering where the black clouds were coming from, looking up in disbelief when rain began spit down.
Left - The Homeric Writers Retreat is on Ithaca again, based at the Nostos Hotel in Frikes. We caught up with them at their welcome dinner, where people from around the world got to know eachother as they embark on a week long seminar for authors looking to get published. The instructors this year are Katherine Sands, literary Agent from New York, who unfortunately missed the boat connection (as many have) and thus missed the dinner, and Debbie Young, self publishing expert from the UK. The week long event is organized by Jessica Bell, published and self published author herself.
With a fine day expected tomorrow, it will make the holidayers happy to be able to spend their days at the beach again.
Sunday 3rd - A mostly blue-sky day yesterday, although late afternoon the clouds again, began to roll over the Ionian. We really must start asking more questions about the weather controlling planes streaking our blue skies, grey, and why foreign countries can test this technology over Greek skies. Has Greece forgotten that it's the weather that brings people to it's shores?
Left - The Homeric Writers Retreat at the Nostos Hotel had a little hiccup when head speaker, Katherine Sands (Literary Agent from New York) was hampered by our lacking ferry service, having missed her connection due to other hold-ups, was unable to arrive on time, making a 1 day trip into a 3 day trip. Just another example of why we need our direct route to Patras again, and at times of the day that are not prohibitive. Arriving after midnight for visitors and for locals is just completely unacceptable.
Anyway, after a quick rest, Katherine Sands got right into the seminar. I stayed for a little while and can tell you personally, that she is an amazing speaker with more answers than you have questions if you are a budding or established author wanting to get published. The Retreat is also available for day sessions, so if you are a writer, you can come along just for the day or the hours of a specific topic. Just contact Jessica Bell (organizer) at the Nostos Hotel (The Retreat Venue) or through ithacagreece.com here.
Below - Krouvoulia NO. 1 Beach. A great place for all the family.
Monday 4th - Warmed up quite nice yesterday, let's hope it continues. The cicadas have really turned up the volume this month, and that's always a sign of high summer.
Above - Giorgos from Spavento Cafe bar is also one of the organizers for the 2nd music festival in Kioni held on 9th and 10th of August at the old school. See calendar for details, also posters around the island.
Above and Below - What men are NOT wearing this season. Put some pants on JEEEEZ! I mean Please.
Below Left - Makis from Margarita Cafe with the popular Papas from Stavros. Just a reminder that before the Panighiri, there will be a church service at 7pm at Sotiros church in Stavros.
Left - Mr. George Lakkotrypis, minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Cyprus is here on holiday with his family, enjoying the special atmosphere and character of Ithaca. I don't think he'll mind me saying that he said although Cyprus is so very beautiful, Ithaca is even more beautiful. I think we would all agree with that. Below Yiannos Lakkotrypis.
Above - Preparations begin for the Stavros Panighiri just over a day away. The Stavros square will soon be throbbing with people and dancing.
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