Heavenly Daze

It is hot and steamy on Symi. Temperatures are rising steadily as Greece moves into another country-wide heatwave. The water-taxis are packed as everyone who can do so heads for the beach. In the afternoons the bus to Pedi is full of bathing suited children with inflatable toys and mindful grandmothers. Every kiosk with a bit of shade has a crowd of ice cream eaters, slurping hastily before it all melts away in a trail of chocolate and vanilla.

Outside the town the hectic chirp of cicadas provides the summer soundtrack as Symi’s stony terraces sizzle in the sun. Small lizards dart through the drought dried leaves, flashes of blue in the gold. The figs are fattening slowly after a dry winter. The last lemons on the trees are hot and empty, all the juice evaporated out through the skins, leaving strangely light and hollow fruits. The cats have become nocturnal animals, sleeping through the day under the rosemary bushes and squabbling on the roof at night.

Symi is now very full and those optimistic souls who travel without booking accommodation in advance are spending a lot of time tramping hot pavements in search of rooms. Unlike many other islands, it is unusual for locals to meet the boats touting rooms to let. This weekend is the official opening of the Symi Festival – a good excuse for Rhodians to take a weekend break and head for Symi.
Today's photograph shows the aptly named 'Heavenly Daze' chugging out of Yialos at half past nine this morning. That is the 8.30 Spanos from Rhodes docking in the background and, of course, the ever essential water boat.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Adriana