Hydra

[Dem]

The major Greek newspaper TA NEA had a special feature on Hydra this Friday. I have made a translation for the friends the friends who will go there for the June meetup.

Demetris


Νοte: The English-language newspaper “Athens News” also had some time ago an extensive special feature on Hydra. I am reposting the links for those two articles here:

i)Literary lions and lines of Hydra
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens ... =1&eidos=S

ii) Island of anomalies and artists
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens ... =1&eidos=S



Holidays
Hydra

A cosmopolitan breath
by OLGA HARAMI
ΤΑ ΝΕΑ , 13/05/2005

For the Greek text and some pictures of Hydra see here:
http://ta-nea.dolnet.gr/print_article.p ... m=N30&aa=1


Famous restaurants and cafeterias, hang-outs of international celebrities, old mansions, naval tradition of centuries, unique scenic images, in a distance of a…few minutes from Piraeus port, an incredible attraction for those who know it, an addiction for those that loved it. All the above for a mini island with maxi pleasures. Its name Hydra…
It looks like an elongated piece of earth that was cut off the coasts of Peloponnese and went his own way in the Argosaronic gulf. There is something that attracts you in Hydra like a magnet. It’s not accidental that so many celebrities and artists from all over the world visit it and like it so much.

Thousands of tourists submerge there daily and its tourist infrastructure is exceptional but at the same time, in the lilliputian extent of its 48 square kilometers manages to offer calmness for those who search for it. Hydra’s atmosphere is mind blowing. The picturesque harbor and the view from the hill above, the sunset, the old mansions. The creeks and the paved with slabs slip roads for endless strolls. And when the night falls, nightlife starts either for spree at the bars or for romantic dinners at quiet restaurants. Choose in what way you want to experience Hydra and let yourselves to a magic weekend

Hydrian hang-outsThe harbor of Hydra and the surroundings are full of cafeterias and bars. Some of them however have a special history after all the years that have passed and the… celebrities that turned them into their hang –out places. Starting with the sweetshop of the previous century, "Tsagkaris with the splendid almond sweets and going to cafe "Tasos " where Leonard Cohen is a client since the decade of 60’s.

(Note: I believe that nowadays, when he is on the island, he prefers the “Pirate” bar. At least that is where I met some of his old friends the last time I was on Hydra.)

Next is the famous "Pirate ", the bar for the cruiser owners and not only! Many of its clients are big Greek businessmen. Alexis Mardas and Joan Collins loved it also. And how we could omit the most famous of all, the beloved by many celebrities "Lagoudera " nightclub. Grace Kelly - Prince Rainier of Monaco, Melina Merkouri - Jules Dassin, Theodoros Roubanis - Sara Churchill, Onasis – Jackie Kennedy are some of the famous pairs that enjoyed themselves not a few times in "Lagoudera» since the ‘50s. And if you are looking for the current “jeune premiers”', young actors, top models etc you will find them hanging around in "Isalos".

What to see

* Zastano. The tall, abrupt rock that falls down into the sea is between the modern Palamida's careenage and the little gulf of St. Cyprian.
* Taking a walk along the northern coastline of Hydra in company of a local. From Kaminia (note: Leonard’s house is there, in the area that is called by the locals “Kaminia”) to Vlyhos beach and from there to Molos you will see the villas-mansions, you will learn to whom they belong and you will be impressed since even the little rocky islands are private!
* The enormous mansion by the sea in Molos that looks like an old monastery.
* The northern coastline of the island that offers exquisite views. This is of course for those who like hiking. The most desirable destinations are Episcope and the monastery of Prophet Elias.
· The historical museum on the harbor.

Note:Another place to visit is Bisti, a crystal clear water beach for swimming and relaxation.. There are little boats that make the trip to Bisti daily from Hydra’s harbour. Don’t miss it!

How to go

There are many boats and speedboats from and to Hydra, more than 10 daily, and even more in the weekends. Most of them leave from Zea's port. It takes roughly 1 hour and the 40min for the speedboats and roughly 3 hours for the slow boats. For reservations and information call 210-4199.200. There is also at least two κρουαζιερόπλοια full of tourists daily that tour the islands of Argosaronic gulf. Calculate that during the summer months about 2.500 individuals pass each day from Hydra. Do not think of taking your car with you because firstly it is not allowed and secondly you won’t need it. If you want to get to know the real Hydra and not just the tourist quay area you have to get ready for walking. Characteristically, from the harbor you can go to Mandraki (in 20 min), to Kaminia (15 '), to Vlyhos with the stone arched bridge (30') while for the more fit the monastery of Pr. Elias (90 ') is recommended, the Episcope (2 hours) and the Zourvas monastery (2½ hours) close to the homonym lighthouse. For swimming we recommend Mandraki, Vlyhos and the sand beach at Ljmnioniza in the southern side that takes 90 min of walking to reach.

Accommodation

The offered beds are plenty and you can find the room you like with services analogous to the sum of money that you will pay. The following hotels are mentioned indicatively:
Bratsera (Mandraki) 22980-53971
Miranda 22980-52230
Nefeli 22980-53297
Orloff 22980-52564
Mpoya'gja 22980-52869

Food

Hydra is not a gourmet paradise, but you can find almost whatever you like, and mainly fresh, but at the same time expensive fish. Very good are the taverns "Anita" and "Geitoniko" with cooked dishes. For fish in the exceptional "Moita" or in the "Sunset". For Italian cuisine in "Hydrargyros" while a good fish-tavern at Kaminia is "Christina". Ouzo selling restaurant and taverns you will also find at Mandraki and Vlyhos.






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[liverpoolken]

Dem

Thanks for the article.
Just a correction for any folk heading down for a hydrofoil they stopped sailing from Zea harbour a few years back and now leave from Pireaus harbour from the same berth as they did when we last visited Hydra in 2003.

Ta Ken

[Anne]

do not be too jealous, but I am standing in a scuzzy London airport, mere hours away from athens and days away from hydra! I am very excited.

I hope every one is well. I havent had time to read much.

[Anne]

I am home in Toronto now.

Hydra was just paradise. I had a wonderful time. Thank you to Jarkko and all my other Cohen friends for making the gathering so special.

[Sinikka]

Back in Helsinki

I had so wonderful time in Hydra. What a beautiful place. Thank you all my Cohen friends and see you in Berlin.

Sinikka

[jarkko]

Hi to all who were here on Hydra (and to those who didn't make it this time). Eija and I are now the last Cohenites on the island (Dolores left this morning). We will post some photos as soon we're back home!
Jarkko

[andrea]

Dear Eija and Jarkko, dear friends who have been on Hydra

we are back in Verona. It was such a wonderful and special holiday.
We like to think of it, we still can feel the Greece atmosphere together with you and this will be a good support for taking up our usual live (actually today we already were a work ).
Thank you Jarkko and Eija, thank you to all.
We have nice pics which we can send you as soon as we get to it.
a big hug to all of you
Andrea + Marco

Jarkko and Eija enjoy your time beeing the only cohenites now on Hydra, but I think Nicolae will do very well for us , so you don't feel lonely .
PLEASE send him our regards

[dar]

Welcome back Hydra participants. Can't wait to see the photos and narratives from those who attended. Sounds like it was a wonderful gathering.

Looking forward to Berlin.

[Paula]

Hydra was wonderful, flying was a piece of piss (not) Megan has a broken hand where I crushed it during take off and landing

So many many nice people Eija & Jarkko, Wybe & Willie, Miriam and Nellie, Dorlores, Henning and Elke, Lizzie, John, Margaret etc etc and so many unique personailities I would not have missed it for the world, Russell had me in stitches. Cohenites are definate characters I have just spent a week with some very strange people it was brilliant

[andrea]

Dear Paula, dear Megan,
sorry to hear about the flight. Must have been a unexperienced pilot, or did you have bad wheather? How about LIzzy and the others, are they ok?
It was nice to meet you all on Hydra, we had a good time indeed.
love from Italy
andrea+marco

P.S. also to the message of darb:
looking really forward to see you in Berlin, we did miss you on Hydra!.
I remembered very much our trip on the flying dolphin and the waiting hours in the airport of Athens we had together in 2002
bye andrea

[margaret]

Hello to all the wonderful old and new friends we met on Hydra. It was a wonderful time, and much more beautiful than I imagined. Thanks especially to Jarkko and Eija for all the hard work you put in to make the holiday so special. Looking forward to seeing all the photos we took

I had to go straight to work on Thursday morning after a very long day of travelling home We'll definitely be returning to Hydra again. Can't wait to see everyone again in Berlin next summer

Love to everyone,
Margaret and John

[Henning]

Back from Hydra now - and it was just great. From all the things that we shared together there is one major thing that we all have in common: We absolutely love to laugh !

First impressions before Jarkko shows up with a complete photo collection:

There are way too many stairways on Hydra, thought Dolorores and requested for help which she was kindly given.



Familiar faces at Dusko's:

[Bobbie]

Love your new avatar, Henning... ;--)

Great pictures, too, thanks for posting them. Dolores is so unique, and very cool - I enjoy and appreciate her more and more every time I see her.

Anne... how did you like The Alkionides? I thought it was great when I was there in 2002.

Bobbie

[Pete]

Oh well, all you children emerging.. I'd better revert back to my childhood

Good to hear that everyone enjoyed Hydra.

Those of you who have returned to the UK..thanks for bringing back the hot weather and sunshine.

pete

[Anne]

Bobbie, I loved the Alkionides. It was just right for me. The location was perfect. It was quiet, friendly, lovely. The owner even came out and met my dolphin even though he was not sure when exactly I was arriving! I was very pleased. I don't think I could have faced dealing with a lot of steps, so staying so close to the port was great. Thank you so much for the suggestion!