Stalls newly painted and staff spruce and eager

There's a fat white power yacht gleaming in the sunshine off Harani and a Beneteau is stooging about the harbour, looking for a place to moor. A light breeze is riffling across the water, sending the gulls drifting out to sea in pursuit of bits of bread tossed from taverna tables. The island is slowly turning from green to brown and the daisies have gone from the Kali Strata, grubbed out by the street sweepers, and the steps have been whitewashed. Tall thunder clouds are sliding past behind Nimos, following the Turkish coast and the weather forecast predicts rain that just misses us.

Most of the tourist shops have opened up now, stalls newly painted and staff spruce and eager. The Ilion is doing tourist runs in addition to the Symi and two hydrofoils came over from Kos this morning so there are quite a few tourists about. Some of the excursion boats have started but the water taxis and beach tavernas aren't open yet and many of the fishing boats are still on the beach at Tolis.

Monday is a bank holiday on Symi as it is VE Day. People who are unfamiliar with the island may be puzzled by this but it is actually quite an important day in the island's history as the Peace Treaty was signed here on Symi. There will be a parade along the front by the war memorial.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Adriana
www.symivisitor.com