When we left Chios for Izmir 3 days ago we still didn’t know if Rouketopolemos (also known as the Rocket Wars) would go ahead. The event consists of the rival parishes of St. Mark’s and Panaghia Ereithiani firing thousands of homemade rockets at the church towers of the opposition. This isn’t without its casualties. Nearby properties…
As we sailed back into Chios from Cesme with our haul of bargains we were greeted by a magnificent rainbow over the town. The weather looks a little unpredictable but we just hope it remains dry for the Good Friday processions this evening. It’s a 10 minute walk from the Customs building to our hotel….
This has certainly been a whirlwind tour of Izmir. Later this afternoon we need to be at the meeting place on Pevzi Pasa Boulevard. Ali had told us that once we’d checked out of our hotel we could take our luggage to a leather shop close to the entrance of the Kemeralti Bazaar. After a…
As the title of this post may imply, we have another action-packed day in-store today. After a more than adequate breakfast at Hotel Marla, we continue our whistle-stop tour of Izmir but this time self-guided. Our first destination is the Ataturk Museum. After walking just a few minutes to the seafront we turn right away…
I’m not going to lie, running around Izmir for half a day amongst all the craziness of May Day has taken it out of me – or rather my back. I’m in agony but I’m not going to let that defeat me. I throw back a couple of painkillers, shower and change and we head…
The next leg of our trip will take us to Izmir where we will stay for 2 nights. Although I’m not a history buff, I’ve been interested in recent Greek history and in particular, the events that led up to the great population exchange in 1923. It’s incredible to think that this historical event took…
This is our last day in Pyrgi and tomorrow we will leave for Chios Town on the 7am bus. There is a method behind the madness of getting up at this ungodly hour. As the Easter holidays approach, I’m mindful that we have to make the most of the bus service before they are suspended….
Yesterday Mr Kosta and his beloved parrot Fidelina arrived back at To Pounti. He had been attending to business at their other house in the north of the island – Mr Kosta and Toula’s house that is! Fidelina as far as I know doesn’t own any property! Fidelina immediately goes into her repertoire of words…
When travelling in Greece my preference is to use public transport wherever possible. This at times can be challenging and not always for the faint-hearted, but I love it. For me, it’s a gives a more authentic experience than travelling by car. It forces you to walk further and absorb more of the landscape. To…
Today is Sunday and as there isn’t a bus service running today, we plan to stay close to Pyrgi. After another spectacular breakfast prepared by Toula, we head out of Pyrgi village into the mastic plantations close by. We exit this medieval fortified town by the gate on the Western edge of the village. After…
After our interesting visit to the Chios Mastic Museum, our next destination is Emborios Bay. I’d had a fleeting visit on my last trip to Chios but wanted to explore it further. Our only way to get there is an hour’s walk or by taxi. We chose the easy option and asked the gentleman in…
Toula has prepared an amazing breakfast for us this morning. This feast includes thick creamy yoghurt with Toula’s homemade rose petal spoon sweets, boiled eggs and a selection of local cheeses, ham and cheese sandwiches, freshly baked fruit sponge cakes and some sweet and savoury pastries. This is more than enough to set us up…