Shockwaves

Symi remains abnormally warm for the time of year, with midday temperatures touching 40 degrees centigrade some days. The rest of Greece is experiencing more usual conditions for the time of year with thunderstorms and occasional downpours as the autumn equinox approaches.

The collapse of XL has sent shockwaves through the community. Kosmar was a major operator on the island and brought many of the island’s regular British visitors to the island in September and October. On an island where most business is seasonal and based on tourism, the loss of so many visitors in the last six weeks of the season is a major economic blow, particularly following on a season that by most accounts has been described as ‘bad’. Many independent travelers also booked flights through XLA and are now struggling to find alternative flights, often paying extortionate prices as beleaguered airline companies take this opportunity to bump up their own shortfalls.

On the bright side, we were told by the water department yesterday that from 16 September Symi’s continuous mains water supply will come back into operation so the water shortages of the last 8 weeks will be a thing of the past. (Maybe someone worked out that with so many empty beds the island’s water reserves will stretch a lot further, but perhaps that is just the cynic in me.)

Commiserations to all of you Symi lovers out there who have suddenly lost their Symi fix for this year. Somehow I don’t think that two live webcams can really compensate for the real thing, no matter how many hours a day they are watched.

Regards,
Adriana

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About this Blog

I sailed into Panormitis Bay, Symi, by chance one windy July day in 1993 and have been here ever since. The locals tell me that this is one of the miracles of St Michael of Panormitis. A BA graduate with majors in English, Philosophy and Classical Civilisation, the idea of living in what is to all intents and purposes an archaeological site appeals to me. Not as small as Kastellorizo, not as touristy as Rhodes, Symi is just the right size. I live on a small holding which my husband and I have reclaimed from a ruin of over-grazing and neglect and turned into a small oasis over the course of the past 22 years. I also work part-time for Symi Visitor Accommodation, helping independent travellers discover and enjoy Symi's simple pleasures for themselves.

This page is kindly sponsored by Wendy Wilcox, Symi Visitor Accommodation.


Adriana Shum

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