When looking at photo above you would not be wrong in thinking just how wonderful this little cove at Sarakiniko is, but when you take a wider look, it's a littered space that's far from attractive. I'm even too embarrassed to show it. Fisherman are respected citizens of this island, but they really should take care what they leave tossed and laying around the beach. Our island is something we should all be proud of and respect. Lots of plastic bags, oil containers, bottles of course, most likely brought in by the tide from last summer's yachts.
April 2015 - Tuesday 1st - Yesterday morning started with alot of sunshine, but by the end of the day, the skies looked quite threatening again. It may be a mixed up April ahead with more rain. Today only blue skies. A good start to April.
In Frikes, it looks like Rementzo is set up and ready to start it's season again. Dodoni's too, looks like it's getting ready to go and of course Fiorendino Bar has been open throughout the winter as has Symposium.
Over the past couple of winters, Afales bay area has really been getting a battering. Last year the steps down to the beach split from the earth movement beneath, this year there are trees heaving out of the ground, mud and earth slides down to the beach and even the path from the road to the beach, despite the attempt to rectify it with a drainage route, has heaved up even more, moving the forested area closer to the beach. There are many water ways having made their way back to the sea from the mountains, all aiding in the corrosion of the area. It's looking a bit dubious now. Afales has always suffered from the earth moving, but it's getting very noticeable over the past 2 years.
Daylight savings started yesterday, so longer days ahead. Just incase you haven't kept up with How To Get There page, there is a timetable change over the Easter period. Daily return routes to Kyllini from Ithaki. That will make it a bit more convenient over this holiday period. Now, if we could only have this service again all year around.
Ithaca and Kefalonia were rocked by quite a strong tremor around 6.30pm. It was only 4.4 but it felt alot stronger. No damage in our area.
On Friday 3rd the Vathy secondary school is having a Bazaar in the village square at 5pm. They'll be selling handmade goodies so head along to support the school.
On Saturday 4th, Forkis Theatre group will be doing some Easter readings at Ag. Spiridon of Bagazi at 8pm. Their winter theatre production is also not too far in the future. They'll be presenting 'The Diary of A Fraudster' by Aleksandr Ostrofski. Exact dates haven't been published yet, but it will be after Easter.
Yesterday morning I was contacted by a local Vathy woman who asked me to head to Filiatro beach where she had witnessed an oil spill from the yacht that had exploded into flames and sunk last year. It was retrieved by a local man this morning. By the time I got to the beach, the spill had dispersed in the water and the oil on the beach had been mostly covered by pebbles from another part of the beach. There was no denying the smell however. It was strong enough to make my face burn. With our fragile environment, this should not have been attempted without major safe guards. Covering up is not good enough. Who knows how much oil is floating around this usually popular and pristine cove and how it will ultimately affect swimmers and sea life in that area. I don't have all the facts so I am merely expressing what has been expressed to me by this concerned citizen and give my own opinion on this matter. I can only imagine how the smell will permeate once the weather gets hotter. A shame too that the area is under a lovely olive tree many people will use to sit under for shade, and children will play under.
I was told that the owner and insurance company were happy to have the yacht sit 40 meters down where it sank, and have made no compensation to have it removed, thus leaving a local man to salvage it for his own purposes. I did see the port police coming back from the area, but was told they had a quick look without leaving their vehicle, so I doubt anything will come of it.
There should have been safeguards put in place to retrieve this yacht without having petrochemicals spill from its tank. If you have children or are allergic to petrochemicals, oil in particular, see photo Left for specific area where oil has been spilled.
Above and Above Left - Vathy town.
Left - Perahori above Vathy.
Sarakiniko
Saturday 4th - It's definitely Spring. Everything is blooming and opening up. The flowers, the skies, our minds. A great time on Ithaca.
This isn't a rumour, but straight from the Mayor's mouth to my ears. The Vathy port area will be undergoing a beautifying facelift. In case you've tuned in late, ferries are coming and leaving from Vathy again as Piso Aetos has been deemed unsafe for the time being. All that ugly concrete will be made into beautiful paving.
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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
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mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
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