Yesterday's Clouds

Pedi Bay at 7 a.m

It is a bright shiny day on Symi. Yesterday’s clouds have blown away, leaving the air clear and sparkling. The distance hills of the Turkish coast have shaken off the haze of summer and last night the lights on the opposite shore were quite clear. On a clear autumn day one can see Tilos, Nissyros, Halki, Rhodes and, sometimes, as far as Kos if one is energetic enough to climb the Vigla or Kokkimides – or drive up the hair pin bends of the Panormitis road. The big wind farm on the isthmus at Datca whirls away on the horizon. With no industry nearby and little traffic the air in our corner of the Mediterranean is very clean and the worst source of emissions is probably Symi power station, chugging away on the Pedi road.

Skilful work without the assistance of tugs and pilots. 

Greek mariners are among the most competent in the world.

The sunny side.

While the lanes of upper Chorio are very quiet, down in the harbour it is quite busy. Cruise ships from Cyprus, lots of day trippers from Rhodes, many of them Eastern European, walkers, island-hoppers, regular Symi visitors and some new faces from all parts of the world – at this time of the year Symi is host to a wide selection of guests. It is also the sailing season – cruising yachts and flotilla sailors rather than mega yachts and glitterati. As the summer cruising season comes to an end many yachts wait in border islands such as Symi for their berths in Turkish marinas to become available for the winter.

Boarding the 10 a.m water taxis to the beaches. 

 Note that the south-side of the harbour in the background is actually still in shadow.

The ferry schedules for October are out in piecemeal fashion and at the moment it looks as though the second half of the month is going to be quite badly served. Please check carefully before travelling – just because something is scheduled to run at a particular time on a particular day of the week does not necessarily mean that it will automatically do likewise the week after! Island life is reverting to the adventure it was 15 years ago as demand drops to pre millennium levels. Here are some pictures that I have taken over the last two days to give you an idea of what Symi is like at the end of September and beginning of October.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,

Adriana