November 2007

Autumn is here with all the fabulous shades of terracotta, burnt sienna and olive green daubed across the landscape. The roads are now empty and driving a delight - journeys that take an hour in the summer months can now be covered in half the time (with one eye on the speedometer, of course...!).

The winter of 2006/7 had been an extremely mild one in Corfu with very little rainfall and unrelenting sunshine - great at the time for those who live here all year round but there had been real concern as to the knock-on affects and how the drought might impact on the island during the summer months. Would the usual abundant greenery of the island be seriously depleted? Would tomatoes ripen before their time and leave us with a gaping hole in the traditional Greek horiatiki (village) salad during peak season? Would water be a problem during July and August when swimming and sweating can incite three showers or more a day?

Somehow we made it through as we always do with slight hiccups here and there - extra watering earlier on to keep plants thriving briefly saw dribbling shower heads and empty water tanks in late August in some of the more northern villages. Fortunately other areas on the island still had plenty to spare - supplies were delivered and for just a short period in early September public water supplies to certain villages were reduced to alternate days to give everyone's tanks chance to refill and resume an uninterrupted flow. As usual under such conditions, community spirit was heightened and everyone did their bit in the names of camaraderie and tourism!

At the same time northern Europe was seeing the flip side of the coin with torrential downpours and our email greeting of "Good afternoon from a scorchingly hot and sunny Corfu or Paxos" provoked some interesting responses... One referring to the building of Arks and another which was unrepeatable spring to mind, and our defence that we had to work in the oppressive heat did not placate... Fortunately for us, escape was on most people's minds and we saw an unprecedented rise in late bookings for September and October.

Eventually, though, our prayers were answered and those who spent the last week of October on holiday here may not have enjoyed the exciting fork lightning storms that lit up the sky and accompanying heavy showers quite as much as we did...! Like fireworks at the end of an open-air concert, it was a dramatic closure to the summer season and a signal to the locals that they could now start turning their attention to matters concerning their homes and health...to fixing that dripping tap...to sorting that nagging tooth... To everything there is a season.

(by Stella Lewis, Agni Travel)
Thankfully, the Greek isles escaped the wet European summer of 2007, where the only floating I did was gently on the deep blue waters of a Greek island! With the memory of last summer still lingering in our minds the rush to book some sunshine for 2008 has already started. Some airlines are offering good deals for early bookings and it is an excellent time to take advantage of these.

Agni Travel has new properties and new destinations for you to consider and our team will be very happy to help you to choose your ideal island and holiday accommodation so that you can look forward to long lazy days by the pool! stella@agni.gr

Oxi Day came round again, coinciding with the closure of the summer season, and gave everyone a much needed excuse to relax, wind down and celebrate.
On 28th October 1940, at 04.00 am, following a party in the German Embassy in Athens, an ultimatum was presented to the Greek dictator, Ioannis Metaxas, by the Italian ambassador, Emanuele Grazzi. It came from Italian dictator Mussolini, and demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy unspecified 'strategic locations' or face war. It was said to have been answered with the single word OXI, or 'No'. In response to Metaxas's refusal, Italian troops stationed in Albania, then an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border just an hour or so later, but were driven back into Albania. This incident marked the beginning of Greece's participation in World War II.

At the end of the war, 28th October became a public holiday in Greece and is commemorated yearly by Greek communities around the world with military and student parades, national flag-waving and folk dancing. It is a day of great pride and patriotism and pays tribute to the strength in adversity so often displayed by the Greek people.

Sofri and I have just returned from an exciting 2-week island hopping adventure. Here follows a few of our notes from Kalymnos and Telendos.

We flew to Athens. While waiting for the connecting flight to Kalymnos, we couldn't help but tease the office by joining them via webcam! But what was the reason for our trip? Agni Travel is planning to expand to new areas and we have to test them for you. It takes many hours of research and leg work to find the areas that compare to Agni. Only by visiting and testing these areas throughly can we ensure your perfect holidays. (Of course it often takes much Mythos beer to keep us going!)

The flight to Kalymnos took us over the Aegean, to the far side very close to the Turkish border. This was Sofri's first flight into Kalymnos - even though he was born and raised there. The airport is new and previously the island only had a ferry service from nearby Kos.

The airport has made it much easier to visit the island - where you will find a very under developed Greek island.

Most of the locals earn their living from sponge diving (Kalymnos is famous for them) or fishing.

Many imagine an Aegean island to be a rock. Although this is true to some extent the dramatic landscapes are often punctuated by a lush oasis where olive trees have managed to tap into deep fresh-water springs and aquifers.

Just imagine staying on a small island without any traffic noise. The only engine sound being the thump-thump-thump of an early morning fishing boat bringing home today's catch.
Telendos is serviced by small Caiques from Kalymnos. They run every half-hour from early morning till late at night. The journey takes just 10mins and costs 2 Euros. All of the island supplies come over on the boat.

With a population of just 75 people, a few Tavernas and one bar (Kafenion), it really is an idyllic location.

It is easy to find a beach all to yourself.

Many locals (and some tourists) visit the island Tavernas for an evening meal. What better way could there be, going for an evening meal by boat - just like visiting Taverna Agni!

The local bar - not too noisy!

Typical villa to rent on Telendos.

Having spent a few days on Kalymnos and then Telendos, we were soon heading to other islands. With frequent ferries to surrounding islands, it was easy to visit nearby Symi and Leros.

Fancy staying in a windmill, with views to die for? A soon to be added Agni Travel property on the island of Leros.

Sofri and I spent two weeks in the Aegean while searching for new Agni Travel properties. Next month, we will introduce you Santorini.

Photo taken while visiting the Aegean island of Telendos, which is next to Kalymnos.
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