Help Save Greece, Holiday There!

Faces are a common detail on Symi's traditional houses.  See if you can spot this one.
It is in Yialos, Symi's main harbour.

Talismans against the evil eye are popular in this part of the world.
This blue glass emblem is as common in Greece as it is in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel or Egypt.  
A relic of the Ottoman Empire perhaps?

The pomegranates are in flower at the moment. Symbol of wealth and prosperity, Greece needs pomegranates as much as talismans against the evil eye at the moment.

Rain clouds over Pedi Bay at 8 o'clock this morning.

It is an unusually wet May day in Symi today. We were awakened by a torrential downpour at half past two in the morning and the day has been a succession of thunder showers and rain squalls punctuated by dazzling sunny intervals ever since.  A low pressure system hovering over Greece, Turkey and the Balkans is responsible for the inclement weather which is only expected to improve late on Saturday evening.  After several weeks of dust from Africa the rain has provided welcome relief and the air is sparklingly clear.  The harbour’s many cafes and coffee shops are full of day trippers and locals alike, sitting shoulder to shoulder in cosy conviviality under the awnings, watching the rain drops bounce off the sea.

On a more practical note, Dodecanese Seaways has released an improved ferry schedule which helps to fill in some of the gaps in the summer scheduling. The only major hiatus left now is Sunday evenings from Rhodes to Symi which must surely be filled because that is the main changeover day for the Scandinavian flights.  At present although the Panagia Skiadeni appears on the schedules she is actually doing tourist trips, not running as a ferry, so it is not possible to buy one way tickets.  It is, however, possible to buy one way tickets on ANES’ Proteus. The Proteus’ schedule is currently only up until 31 May but it is expected that she will run a similar sort of programme, starting and finishing in Rhodes each day, throughout the summer. 

If you are on Facebook remember to look at our Symi Visitor Accommodation Facebook page. We update this regularly with news from the island including cultural happenings, travel news and lots more.  You may also like to join Help Save Greece, Holiday There!

Have a good weekend.

Regards,

Adriana

The pelargonium, bright and optimistic and very much a part of the Greek urban landscape.
The silvery foliage behind  is an olive tree.

The Symi studio of celebrated Danish artist, Jytte Loehr, who does a great deal of her painting on the island.
The Kali Strata is home to several galleries and studios.  Ian Haycox of the Symi Gallery is hosting a new exhibition of work by local artists which is opening at 7 p.m tonight.  If you are in the area you are welcome to come along.  Many collectors have contributed works by local Symiot artists.  Look out for the writing on the stairs.

Proudly Greek - this flag pole is on the hill above the harbour.

Crisis, what crisis?  The rich are still including Symi on their cruising agenda.

>