Megisti Hotel in the evening

After an afternoon sleep I paddled up to the hotel to have a drink. The sun was setting over the mountain bathing the far side of the limani in stunning warm light. This was taken around seven in the evening.
Later that night we had a drink at Radiocafe then up to the Horafia for dinner. Manolis joined us. We had a delicious meal of revithogeftethes, melanzanes and green beans.

The Island of St George

Vangelis finally launched the boat. All was well although it was very dirty. So we took it for a run to St George. The day was stunning. Unfortunately the island was packed with Turkish tourists. Apparently there is a Turkish religious holiday now at the end of Ramadan.
Delicious lunch of bourek, gozleme and octopus salad. On the way home we stopped to clean the boat and have another swim in the clear water.
Lots of yachts are in the harbour and anchored around.

Wedding preparations

Nicholas trying on his wedding outfit, looking very handsome with his new haircut. Lucy is making a grab for Toby in his right hand while he was distracted.
This morning I headed up to the Hirafia to give all the wedding documents to Maria to lodge for the ceremony. All seemed to be fine - at least no news yet.
Andy headed of to the hotel to sign a book of documents just as a prelude to having the reception there.
Tick and tick 😀

Paleokastro

Over the top of the mountain and the view of the sun hitting the Paleokastro was superb. This is the old city on one of the highest points of the island. It had ancient houses and churches and was semi - fortified.

Kastellorizian Lilly

This strange bulb grows in the harshest and most inhospitable places. At this time of the year it appears as a red hot poker. When it flowers it presents as a black highly scented lily.

Early morning walk

At six we headed off for a walk over the mountain. All was quiet and peaceful in the bay. We saw quite a few goats on the way and only one other couple. They were meditating on the mountain top.

Sunday evening

Andy sat on the harbour edge playing Davli while I launched the kayak. In the background is the church where Angela and Daniel married. I went for a paddle up past the hotel then had a quick swim. The wind had strengthened, so the paddle back to the slipway was hard work. There were lots of turtles in the bay, ducking when I got near.
On my return I heard the result - 4/1 against Andy!

Arrived on Kastellorizo

Sunday morning and it was quite windy. We took off in a small plane for Kastellorizo. The sea around Kastellorizo was calm without a breath of wind. As we came down the mountain from the airport the harbour was laid out before us.  Very little had changed but it was busier with summer visitors.
We made our way slowly around the harbour to our house, cat hing up with old friends on the way.  Arrived at the house and did the big unpack.  One suitcase had a big dent in it but the wedding cake inside looked fantastic.  I set up a wedding table with the cakes, icing, pamphlets and evil eyes.
Off to the supermarket for supplies and then a swim in the cool cool ocean.

Tired but happy, breakfast in Rhodes

Wedding journey - the journey begins

On Friday we finally set out for the airport on our way to Greece for Chris and Dena's wedding.  Good flight to Dubai, then on to Athens after a five hour transit.
On the four hour flight from Dubai to Athens Andy had a two hour flight with the ever so patient flight attendant over the entertainment system.  Classic Andy.  His monitor wasn't working, so they kept resetting his system, which also reset mine and the passemger between us.  So every 15 minutes my film was interrupted and I had to start it again.  When this happened twice, and it was quite clear that Andy would not let this go, I gave up and read my book.  In the meantime Andy held up the whole of the food service and the air hostess tried to appease him.  I think he was more entertained by the attention he was getting than he would have been with the entertainment system!
After a short layover in Athens, we connected though to Rhodes.  It was a beautiful flight over the Aegean with islands unfolding below us.  As we circled around for our approach to the runway we could see the windsurfers and kite surfers racing in and out from the windy shore.
Arrived around 6pm to 30 degree heat and stunning clear blue skies.  It was great to be speaking Greek again as we chatted with the taxi driver on our way to the hotel.  After a quick shower and change I left Andy resting and went for a walk to the Old Town.
Rhodes was busy but not as busy as I've seen it before.  I found a little charm for Lucinda - a dolphin - in one of the many jewelry shops.  I then sat at a bar on the waterfront with my first ouzo for the trip watching the people around and the action on the harbour.
Andy joined me then we went to Meltemi for a light meal.  Fava beans, salted anchovies and saganaki melanzana.