Wednesday 28th
After a nice lie in we waited up on the corner for the Symi tours bus to pick us up just after 10.30 as planned. It was already very hot! There was only another 6 people on the bus so we had plenty of room and the air con was a real bonus. We had a couple of photo stops on the way but we were soon down at Panormitis. As we arrived we could see that the Nikolas boat had already dropped off all it's tourists and the Panagia was just docking with another load.
I rushed Liz into the monastry but it was too late as the queues were huge and a lot of barging and pushing was taking place. We had a drink by the waters edge and let them all fight for a while. 15 minutes later we did go back and even then people were pushing and jumping the queues! It was much nicer last year when I arrived before all the crowds but Liz would have never made the walk and still could not believe i'd achieved it in the heat.
We were back on the bus at 12 and bounced down the little track to the beach at Marathounda where we made our way to the taverna for some lunch. We had heard about the goats and they came to say hello to Liz, fought each other on the beach, pinched a swimmers packet of cigarettes to eat and generally annoyed the sunbathers! Liz loved this entertainment as one little cheeky goat danced on a table and laid on one of the sunbeds!
I had Chicken Souvlaki and liz opted for Moussaka, both nice meals but the chicken was slightly salty.
We spent the rest of the time lazing on a sunbed watching a few boats come and go and a few people having a little swim in the clear waters.
The trip back over didn't take long and we soon back at Sevastis where i freshened up and Liz at a 30 minute nap as I made my way down to the Rainbow.
We walk past the now opened museum every day and we plan to visit very soon.
Liz soon joined a quieter crowd than we have been used to but we still enjoy our relaxing time in the afternoon.....until...
There was quite a commotion going off in a house up the lane with load voices and child like screams and eventually, Hugo, a local, came out holding a snake about 2 to 2.5 feet long! I grabbed my camera but by the time i was up there he had killed the poor snake. I don't agree with him doing this but it was obvious all involved hated them. I'd at least seen a moving snake on Symi although it had just deceased! Picture below.
We finished our drinks , said our goodbyes, and walked slowly down the Kali Strata that we had all to ourselves, I don't think we saw another person. Although it's not great for the island it is nice that you get quiet special moments such as this. It's why we come back!
We did think about trying somewhere new but we headed for To Spitiko before it got too busy. Jordana has been turning people away in the last week as they have been so busy and with a fair few boats in tonight it looks like another busy night with at least half the tables booked.
We had a great Tzatziki, one of the best i've tasted, followed by some superb lamb chops washed down with the great house white wine as the sun went down. A complimentary Baklava followed.
Jordana looked stunning, as ever, as she wowed the punters!
A taxi back and a few night caps on the balcony finished a great day on this wonderful island.