What's New On Ithaca Greece
April 2021
Friday 9th
Blue skies and the feeling of Spring all around! Below - Ag. Ioannis.
Above - The bypass road at Aetos is still in progress, and the main road still in 'waiting'. The bypass is looking pretty good though and close to being finished.
Monday 12th - The weather is really starting to show Spring, as are the wild flowers popping up around the valleys and hillsides. Greece is still under curfew and covid restrictions, but apart from that, Ithaki is doing fine. Below - View down into Kioni and up to Agalio from Raxi.
Above - View across Aetos Bay to Forkis Bay
Below - Frikes Bay. This village suffered alot under Ianos cyclone/hurricane, but you can't keep Frikes or it's residents, local and business, down. The village is already getting prepared for the upcoming season, despite any of us not knowing exactly what that will look like.
Tuesday 13th - A mild, but overcast day today. Below - Vathy.
Below - North Ithaca.
Above - Just outside of Frikes.
Thursday 15th - Below - Last years storm took down many of the trees in the Stavros square.
Above - Stavros from Ag. Barbara vantage point.
Monday 19th - Although many have had their vaccinations, the village streets are eerily quiet. Some people are getting out and about, walking the trails around the island, but generally, it's very, very quiet. Below - Kioni.
Above - Stavros fields. Below - Exoghi.
The Greek government won't be announcing whether Greece gets to have Easter this year until the Wednesday before Easter. Greek Easter Sunday falls on May 2nd.
Tuesday 20th - It's expected to rain in Spring, but yesterdays hail stone pour down was a bit of a surprise.
Below - Vathy and after hail reflections.
Below - Sarakiniko
Above - Apostolata, Stavros.
Friday 23rd - Below - Sarachiniko Bay.
Above - Kanelata, on the way to Filiatro Beach.
Above - Kioni.
Above - View to Raxi.
Sunday 25th - It's reported that Greece will open up for tourism on the 15th May, but there will be no Greek Easter as usual in the week leading up to the 2nd of May (the biggest event on the Greek calendar) as Greece is still under a 9pm curfew and leaving the house is with sms (phone messaging) to a specified number with a choice of 6 specific options, mask mandate in all places, indoor and out, including Kindergarten, no open public places including children's playgrounds which had been padlocked until very recently, and that's how it's been since November 2020. For Easter week there are even more restrictions to make sure no one moves. It's all a bit hard to keep up with.
Above - There is always something picturesque around every bend on the old road in Kioni. It's really worth the uphill climb to Raxi, or an easy walk down from Raxi to Kioni, especially with the Kioni Bay view keeping you company all along.
Thursday 29th - Some businesses are starting to get ready for when tourism commences on 15th May, but generally it's still very quiet with most locals too scared to be among people for fear of getting sick. Below - Stavros.
Above - Vathy.
April 2021
Spring on Ithaca Greece
Friday 9th
After a very, very long month of being ill with covid19, I think I'm finally over the big hump of high fevers and pain. Starting to feel human again. Everything lasted longer than expected and was quite scary for about 3 weeks. Anyway, I'm back and will hopefully be able to update more regularly now, stamina and health depending. Thank you ALL for your wishes and notes. I really appreciate your concern. It means alot!!!!
Let's get on with Spring!
Monday 12th - Banking and a trip to the post office can mean quite a wait during covid restrictions, even on Ithaca. Long lines and only 1 person inside, servicing the islands postal needs.
Tuesday 13th - Already almost half way through April, speeding along to Greek Easter and wondering if we will be able to celebrate it this year. This year Easter happens to land on ithacagreece.com's 19th Birthday. We expected to make this site a 10 year project and now it's turning into doubling that next year.
Below - While the route from Patra to Ithaca is suspended, it has been replaced by the route from Killini to Ithaca. This and Astakos with the Ionian Pelagos ferry, are currently the means of getting to the mainland from Ithaca.
Thursday 15th - Below - Ag. Barbara.
Monday 19th - Mild days and coolish nights as we make our way through April.
Tuesday 20th - Below - After last year's devastating storm, Frikes has now been repaved throughout.
I know we haven't been able to get alot of people into the updates, but IF either mask mandate is reduced or everyone where's a mask, we'll be able to include people on the site again. We don't want to get anyone in trouble.
Friday 23rd - Below - Vathy
Above - Kioni has some very quaint houses, especially along the old road, many with a view to it's gorgeous bayside.
Above - When a storm rolls in, there's always a dramatic sky in Frikes.
Sunday 25th - While on the mainland there are temperatures of 20+, on Ithaca it's still a little chilly, but with May arriving soon and then Summer not long after, it won't be long before we're hoping for a fresh breeze.
Thursday 29th - This is the BIG week. The week before Greek Easter Sunday. It's actually called the big week. Megali evdomada. We are still under lockdown restrictions so no huge celebrations, just family size. The government has allowed Ressurection ceremony on Saturday, but it must be at 9pm instead of midnight as we are still under curfew. Shops are open, but by appointment only and still no travel between areas. Tourism opens up on the 15th May, but from a report i heard this morning, we, the non tourists, will still be under restrictions. Happy Greek Easter everyone!
