For 2 pages of photos CLICK HERE or on photo above.
The next big celebration is of course the Perahori Wine Festival on the 24th July where local wine is tapped from the barrels and shared around through another big party in the village square. There'll be food, wine, dancing and more.
Above - This is worth a little effort, isn't it??!!!
July 2014 - Sunday 20th continued - A huge night at Romantsa last night. The first and original outdoor nightclub of Ithaca.
Below - You'd be forgiven for thinking Cat Stevens was in town. This is Nikos Sikiotis, owner of Romantsa in the 70's.
On sale at Romantsa last night was the self produced cd by Nikos Sikiotis with 18 nostalgic tracks, simply named 'Romantsa'
Produced by Nikos Sikiotis
Accompanied by Fahima, Sofia and Chorus
Musicians:
Giorgos Doussis - Piano
Vangelis Michalatos - Guitar
Stelios Tsoukatos - Accordion/Synths
Nick Christopoulos - Drums
Tassos Zafeiriou - Guitar/Bass/Bouzouki/Mandolin/Tzouras/Baglama
To order a copy you can contact:
Nick Sikiotis
Email: sikiotis.mail@gmail.com
Monday 21st - Left - North Ithaki says goodbye to Poppy and Jerome who are leaving Greece for Atlanta in the USA for work. It's such a shame that so many families are having to leave their roots for better opportunities. Of course they'll be back for holidays, but it's always sad to say goodbye. We wish them all the very, very best with many great and prosperous adventures.
Kioni Panighiri - Ag. Lia Festival
The summer season of festivals continued last night with the Ag. Lia festival in Kioni, lovingly known as the Kioni Panighiri. Although the attendance was down this year, the kefi (good cheer) was definitely up there with the most crowded times. The extra space in the dance circle allowed for more creative dance steps, something everyone could enjoy.
For more photographs of the Kioni Panighiri
CLICK HERE or on photograph Left.
Tuesday 22nd - Very warm days as we head deeper into Summer.
Loutsa beach on the edge of Vathy bay is a perfect little water retreat in walking distance from the center of town. A big blue wading pool, ideal for all the family.
It is noticeably quieter on the island this year compared to other years. It has alot to do with the ferry route cut from Patras, where most of our Italian and mainland visitors come from. It's not impossible to get here, but it is a odyssey of sorts, first to sort through the various timetables which may or may not be up to date and then to decide which longer route to choose from.
We have busy hours on particular days, but generally Ithaca has suffered a reduction in tourism this year.
Wednesday 23rd - It was a Kioni night last night. The waters were still, the air was warm and the atmosphere friendly and inviting. There were so many yachts in the harbor, they took up both sides of the bay.
A young band of musicians from Thraki took to the stage on the bayside and filled the village with music. It wasn't quite what was expected, but the audience was very supportive nonetheless.
There seemed to be some confusion as the advertising promised some traditional music, but the reality was some well known western hits on the charts just recently.
COMMUNITY NOTICE
Monday 28th July in the Vathy Square there will be a rally and meeting to discuss Ithaki's serious issues. One of these issues is the ferry connecting us to Patras. Please come along to voice your concerns.
Thursday 24th - Tonight in Perahori is the annual Wine Festival. Lots of food and drink, live music and of course, Perahori's famous organic wine from the barrell. It's alot of fun so head on up to Perahori. Starts about 10pm.
Last night the entire island was a little, no, quite alot, shocked with a roaring lightning storm which dumped a fair amount of rain on us, just around Greek dinner time. It wasn't long before the fuse in Stavros dropped again and left the entire northern island in the dark. Although it was quite romantic for the visitors, for the local businesses, it was a stressful half hour of juggling meals in the rain, revving up generators for the basics and lighting candles in the dark.
I've been coming to Ithaca since 1983 and have been living here since 2002 full time, and this was the first time I have ever experienced rain at this time of the year. While the northern hemisphere is sweltering, we have 'spring-like' weather.
Left - Kioni.
Today the sun was shining again, although there is some dark cloud gathering early this evening.
Saturday 26th - On Monday 28th July at 7pm in the Vathy town square, there will be a rally to show the powers that be, strength in numbers for the concerns of this island, specifically the ferry service and Piso Aetos port. Although the meeting has been organized by Spiros Mpouas and party, all parties will be there to represent the problems facing Ithaca through the lack of transport. You will not only hear Spiros Mpouas speak, but also the current Mayor, the newly elected Mayor, D. Stanitsas and various others.
The EU law states every village must have a road that connects it to the nearest center. Ithaki's nearest center is Patras, yet for over 2 years we have not had direct access. The same institution (EU) with it's laws, also allows the government to plunder it's smaller communites leaving them all, but completely lacking in what most people would consider necessary to function.
I haven't spoken to one person that hasn't been effected by the ferry service and the length of time and difficulty there is to reach Ithaca and return to their homes. It's something that effects everyone, not only the local community, but the ex-pats, those who come every year, who have their roots on the island, the visitors, who have this year radically declined in numbers, mostly due to the difficulty in getting here.
No matter what your political stance, this rally has nothing to do with individual parties, but with a show of unification that we all (not only Ithaca, but every small community island in the IOnian or Aegean) deserve equal rights with the rest of the EU, not just Greece!
I know many of you don't want to have your idea of Ithaki ruined with political talk, but in order for Ithaca to keep this dream, this paradise that you all love so much, we ALL need to stand up and show unity.
I'm not Ithacan, I can't vote and I too would like to just have a nice peaceful holiday to enjoy what I love about Ithaki, but please come down to Vathy and make yourselves accountable so that what we all love about the island isn't deteriorated any further. As a whole we can really do so much.
Sunday 27th - It's hotting up now. 34c today and not much breeze. A sure sign that August is on our door step.
I think nearly all are in agreement that if it wasn't for the yachting traffic, Ithaca would be a much quieter island this summer. Even the day tripper traffic is down this year, coming for coffee or a quick swim, rather than for lunches, has made a noticable difference from the south to the north of the island. With day trippers offering souvlaki on board, have made the islands more for ice-cream stop-overs than anything else. Could be time to make that Gelati stand :)
Tuesday 29th - Congratulations to the 150 or so people who came out to the rally yesterday afternoon to support action to get Ithaki's ferry service to Patras back. Shame on the rest of you!
There isn't a single person on this island, whether local or transient, that isn't effected by the ferry situation. Every day I get enquiries, every day someone is in need. It's an issue that deserves all our attention. Without Ithaca having direct access to the mainland via Patras, we are a sinking ship. That is no exaggeration! It's not just about tourism, although that, like it or not, is the bread and butter of this island, but it's more importantly about all who live here and all the other islands so negatively impacted on by a ruling body that doesn't seem to care who suffers. I was so disappointed that those in our immediate grasp of power, our Mayors, new and old, didn't get up and say a few words. I know they are decent people, but they too need to stand up and be counted, not just for a vote but the good of this island. Today, all I can feel is shame because if we don't show we care about Ithaki, why should anyone else.
Whether you are motivated by conscience or money, you need to stand up for this issue. It really does effect every aspect of our lives here on ithaca and other small islands around Greece. If there is no tourism then
at least 2/3 of the businesses will close down
Young people will need to leave the island to find work elsewhere
Young families will need to be in communities where schooling will enable their children to grow
The elderly will also need to leave because our medical facilities are already at minimum and will be further decayed.
Real Estate will be worth nothing
All the money you've invested in your rental properties will lay waste
The supermarket shelves will be empty or with products past their use by date because there are no regular deliveries.
The list goes on and on. How do we expect to turn this around for our island if we can't even be bothered showing up to show unity. Forget party politics and start thinking Community, our community!!! Ours!!! It's time we own it instead of passing the buck!
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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.
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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.
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.
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.