Symi Today

Athens is empty. Businesses and offices are closed and even parliament has shut down for the Greek summer holidays. The islands of the Aegean and Ionian are favourite destinations for Athenians seeking relief from the smog and stress of city life and every boat that arrives brings yet more visitors. Those who come with cars arrive with sunbeds and parasols strapped to the roof rack, those on bikes are carefully balanced with rucksacks and touring panniers. The hawkers are heading for the Greek islands too and lorries laden with Cretan clay pots, cane garden furniture and slightly travel-worn bay trees are a common sight by the side of the road or parked in the town square. There are trucks laden with fresh melons and peaches selling their produce in Yialos and Chorio. When it is too hot to think about food, a crisp green and pink watermelon is perfect and there is currently a country wide glut of peaches.

There is a large cruise ship anchored off Symi today and little luminous orange lighters have been churning to and fro all morning between the ship and the customs jetty, bringing souvenir hunters and sightseers ashore and taking away those who have been there and done that. There are a lot more power yachts in evidence too, although the mega-yachts of previous years are conspicuous by their absence.

Meanwhile, over in Pedi Bay, the owners of small boats are taking advantage of the bits of reinforcing rod sticking out of the unfinished mole of the marina for securing their boats as building work has now stopped for the holidays.



Have a good week.



Regards,

Adriana