HAIR CUT - ANCIENT RUINS FROM YESTERDAY- AND ANOTHER CHURCH?

I went to get my hair done (finally) this morning, at The School for Hair & Beauty,(in Platani, next to the Playschool)  it was cut, and styled by a student, named Constantina (Tina) FOR FREE!
Tina is one of the thirty students that has been studying Hairdressing for the last 8 mths (200 hrs in total, at a cost of 1,800 Euro - no qualifications necessary, just an identity card/passport!).  There are also courses in Manicures & Spa Massage, which includes reflexology and other techniques too.  Anyone fancy a career change?

The students will be taking their exams over the next few weeks, and then hoping to find employment in one of the many Hair Salons on the island.  After 2 years practice, they are able to open up their own business if they wish.  Good luck to them all!

The next course will start in October, but applicants can apply at anytime, or find out further information at http://www.ekeko.gr/  Tel: 22420 20015 or 22420 20028  It will also be advertised in the Local Newspaper very soon.  (Get in quick though, only 30 places, and 15 applications already for hairdressing!)

Another church, this one is actually inside my daughters school playground in Agia Marina.

The photo's as promised....of the Ancient Agora, which can be found through the Archway that is close to the Main Square, or from the back of  The Court Houses/Police Station.

 This zone of archaeological discovery is one of the most important sites.  The Harbour excavations.  In which you can find many  remains of the walls of the old harbour, and several places of worship,  The Portico of the 4th or 3rd century B.C. which has five columns that have been re-erected .

According to mythology
 Marsyas (satyr) was punished here.  Marsyas is always pictured with a double flute (and appears on many ancient vases). He challenged  Apollo - The God of The Sun, to a music competition . He didn't succeed, and was tied to a tree, flayed and met his death.

 There is The Great Basilica, The small sanctuary of Hercules, and The sanctuary of Venus. The ancient Agora is also located here, it's ruins also extend far beyond this area.  It is an incredible site, right in the centre of town.  I always used to say when I was a Holiday Representative, "Kos is simply amazing, wherever you step, you stumble over a part of ancient history, it is a remarkable island!" 

Plenty to see! And of course, lots to Blog about!!!

A WALK THROUGH THE TOWN....(McDONALD'S....McDONALD'S!)

Not exactly Greek, but there are quite a few of us here, that have enjoyed a Big Mac over the last few days!I was hoping for a vanilla milkshake (but, the machine was broken today, so my children shared a McFlurry instead). Yes, McDonald's has opened again for the summer months  (only) in Kos Town, and you can find it a few paces away from the Harbour, and close to the Main Square.

The children played in the Main Square,which is home to many Coffee Bars (and pigeons), it is a perfect place to sit and 'people watch',  It is very popular with the locals, especially at the weekend.  During the summer, most people sip Frappes, which are iced coffees, (you can ask for a spoonful of ice-cream in, or for a 'rare' treat, I love it with Bailey's).  On a hot summer's night,  chilled beer, goes down a treat, (Mythos, is a Greek one, which is favoured by many.

 Retsina is a famous drink in Greece (very strong wine), as well as Ouzo, a classic Greek 'spirit', flavoured with anise,(which should come with a warning how potent it is, after several)! Intoxicating!

Most of the Coffee Bars in and around the area, offer a whole selection and variety of coffees, soft drinks, long & short ones too, cocktails & liqueurs.   Snacks are also served.

The Museum is also found here.  I will go inside on another day, probably when I don't have an over sized handbag, (with everything you can imagine inside ),pushchair....and two young children, that want to touch everything, with me! There are some beautiful statues, and it is well worth a visit.

Walk through the extravagant Bougainvilleas, which grow in abundance over the walls, enter The Bar Street of Kos Town, and another popular Restaurant area.  You will find also ancient ruins of The Sanctuaries of Aphrodite and Heracles.  They even have plaques now, telling you a information as to what is what!!!   This was  the original Harbour Quarter - The Agora, and you can still see remnants today.  Pictures to follow in the next Blog post...!

Dinner plans (with my husband, before he starts working ALL summer) as well as a trip to the Beauty School in Kos for a free haircut, went pear shaped....and I forgot the football was on!  So I'm just going now (to have my hair cut)....dinner is now postponed....til the weekend!

SUMMER SEASON STARTS VERY SOON FOR THE FISH HOUSE & COFFEE HOUSE!

My husband asks why I've mentioned several places, restaurants, bars,  and I haven't  written about  ours.  So, as the afternoon was actually spent collecting stones from the beach for the pathways, and the garden of the restaurant/taverna, I thought now seems as good as time as any, to get it out there!  AND it will be open very soon!


THE FISH HOUSE.........

WHICH.....

I fell in love with, such a magical setting, before ever laying eyes on my husband to be!  It is in a perfect position, right in the centre of Kos Town's Harbour .  You can sit on one of the tables that overlook the boats, castle walls and watch the hustle and bustle, with excellent views, or relax in the beautiful quiet garden at the back of the restaurant. Which, if it's a little bit windy, is sheltered from the breeze.

Every day 100's of people pass and take photo's of the steps, and the restaurant.  We always joke and say, if we charged a fee, we would be millionaires by now!  Infact it has been photographed in tourist brochures, magazines, we've had models, modelling up and down those stairs, International film crews, Local, and National television stations, and famous celebs passing through.  There are also postcards throughout Greece, featuring The Fish House!

My mother always jokes and says "Why did you marry a man with a Fish Restaurant, when you don't even eat fish?".....Well, the menu is spectacular and offers a wide range of not only Fish/Sea Food dishes, The Fisherman's Pot, Grilled Octopus, King Prawns, Calamaris and so much more,...... but also other House Specialities, such as Moussaka, Lamb Kleftico, Crepes filled with chicken & mushrooms, The Mixed Grill, succulent steaks, and it's making my mouth water as I type!  A huge range of 'mezedes', (cheese pies, vine leaves, courgette pies, saganaki, etc )dips (hommous, tzatziki, taramasalata) and salads too (caesar, Greek, chef, rocket,.....and...).  Catering for every ones tastes, vegetarians too, and family friendly (high chairs provided and half portions available).

Although I hardly get chance to spend time with my husband during the summer, I am soo looking forward to it opening, and not having to cook at home so much.  The food is delicious, (and I don't have to think about the washing up)!

The Fish House has many Fine wines, and House (red, white &; rose- which you can order by the carafe) and a wide selection of beers. Plus of course long, short, soft, etc, (drinks).

If you still have room after your meal, you can choose from the selection of Greek desserts, and Special ice-creams.  Baklava I love, sweet pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and dripping with honey, served with ice-cream and cream, mmmmmm, heavenly!

THEN...........
Slowly, make your way down the steps and have a rest at the Cafe Bar (Nyn Kai Aei-Now and Forever)/The Coffee House, which is much easier to pronounce and remember!  Relax with a liqueur coffee, (my favourite is a Calypso- with Tia Maria) espresso, or go for a cocktail, there are plenty to choose from! Have one for the road, or two, or three!

The Fish House is open ALL DAY, til late in the evening....May-October.   For special occasions, and during July/August please make sure you reserve a table, so as not to be disappointed.

KOS 22420 21725

So there you have it....a Blog Post all about  My husband and his partners Restaurant and Coffee Bar....!!!  and considering I spend quite a lot of my time there during the summer, not working just sampling and enjoying the food,  checking out the beverages, I'd say it was all worth it!

More photo's to be added later.  Find us also on Facebook 'Fish House'!

HAPPY S.T GEORGE'S DAY! ....

TODAY,  men named Giorgos (George), and women named Giorgia (Geogina), are celebrating.  It is their name day...... the Day of St. George.  Most of the popular names in Greece originate from Saints and Religion.

Name Day celebrations are generally considered more important than actual birthdays.  Presents are given, flowers, families get together over coffee and cakes,and meals.  Often the festivities go on into the night!
People visit the church of St. George, to take communion, and light candles.

Here in Kos it is also tradition in the village of Pyli to horserace on St. Georges Day!  Crowds of people, gather in the streets and line the pavements to watch a few men on horseback gallop past!  Apparently there aren't any prizes, but I am sure a few 'bets' are made! ?  It's all about the Glory!  Sadly, I didn't make it today, but have watched this event several times in the past.


So I have no photo's of horses.....or of any St. George Churches today, but I do have one of hedgehogs!  Is that an albino one? 

The beaches actually had a few tourists on them this afternoon. Most of the Kos Town Beaches are now open and ready for (hopefully) a busy summer season.

We Were at Jacksons,  a beautiful bar and restaurant, next to the sea (in Averof Street/Kos Town).  Good music and a clean beach!  (Also, my lovely Danish friend & her family own this bar, so it makes visiting here even better!).

Not forgetting to mention The Catholic Church,  where I spent the morning (not actually in it), but outside in the garden drinking coffee with British friends.  I knew churches would feature somewhere!

MOOSEMALA (or something like that!)......I actually knew the Greek word but not the English!




I now know the name of a yellowish orange fruit that grows here in English, I had never seen them before I came to Greece....The Greeks call them' moosemala' and we, 'loquats' !  You see, you learn something new everyday!
Anyway, they are in season here, and the whole island is full of these trees.  This picture was  taken from the church.  I was actually given a bag full of them a few days ago, when I gave an old women a lift up the road 'for my kindness'!  I often aquire, eggs, lemons, and whatever fruit is in season this way! 

If you offered an old lady a lift in England, she would probably think you were going to steal her handbag!

THE WETLANDS, NATURE TRAIL, PSALIDI - KOS

I actually went back to tights and boots this morning, it was a bleak, cloudy and a cold start.  When the sun did make an appearance though, later on in the day it was boiling!  What a weird day, it didn't rain though.

I took my youngest children on a nature trail this afternoon, armed with old bread to feed the birds, moorhens, ducks, I was actuallly not sure what we would encounter today.

The area we visited was in Psalidi.  A lake with marshy edges!  There used to be a Waterpark close to this area.  Which has been closed down for some time to protect the wildlife.  Dogs are prohibited as are loud noises.  It is a prime bird spotting area.  Many people come each year to do exactly that!  All I can tell you is that  we saw several large birds, a few moorhens, and some kind of yellow tits or tails !  Beautiful butterflies flew around us, bees buzzed, and we had a lovely walk in the fresh country air.

Usually in the months of October-January this area is well-known for flamingo's too.

We met a lovely couple who were jogging/training and

if you squint your eyes, you can just make out a semi-naked man running around the lake (much better than watching birds!) in the next photograph.  Typical, I forgot to zoom!

The Wetland area is right next to the sea, just through a gate and you are actually on the beach.  We sat and watched the boats that passed and picked very pretty 'dried' wild flowers that grow in abundance over the whole area.

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG....OH LOOK THERE'S (ANOTHER) CHURCH!

Today I visited new friends that are British, retired and living out their dream on the island of Kos. They bought a plot of land and built a beautiful house, in an olive grove that overlooks the sea, bringing their lovely dogs with them, and adopting a Kos stray too (that was camera shy)! 


 There are many British and other foreign nationalities living here, some just working and staying for the summer season, others that have settled and cannot imagine an existence anywhere else, enjoying the Greek way of life!  Many of the people that I have the  pleasure of knowing, worked or are still working as I was, in  Travel & Tourism, and that is how we found ourselves in Kos.  We then fell in love had our 'Greek' weddings, families and settled on the Island.


This afternoon with the weather warm and cloudy, far to cloudy for swimming today, we decided to go to the park. Whilst stopping for refreshments,  we noticed that the Church was open, and they had finally finished the High Priests' Office, and rooms too, which had been under renovation for some time. 

So we had a little look. Considering my eldest children had been going to the school next door for 5 yrs, it was the first time I had actually been inside. On most occassions it had been closed.  It was absolutely amazing.  My mouth fell open with the paintings, vibrant colours, icons, church artifacts in glass cabinets (almost like a museum) and the exuberance of it all.  Well worth a visit.

This Church can be found close to The Tourist & Information building.

Outside
There is a small statue of a young Greek woman holding water on her shoulder as they did in ancient times, and a seating area . For some reason I cut the head off the poor lady, so she doesn't actually feature here!

Also a statue of a famous Priest, and a little bit further you will see a monument for those who died during the wars.

So when there is not much to Blog about, you can always find a church.....there are hundreds on the island!

and then Home to do some gardening....and I actually have found my hedge that I planted with the help of my children and friends last year, and now I have blisters on my hand, that hurt when I type!

KEFALOS - ARE WE THERE YET?.............

A 'day' trip to the other side
of the island (the south west!), about 35 mins in the car from Kos Town, up winding roads and past the airport.....and down a long road and....finally  you get there.  It's of course not very far, but my children aren't used to long 'haul', so it felt like miles!
 "Are we there yet?"


A sleepy holiday resort and fishing village. Beautiful (sandy) beaches line the coast  before getting into Kefalos, such as Paradise and Golden Beach. Both famous for their watersports, and bubbles in the sea! 

Agios Stephanos is also a popular beach, there actually on the beach are ancient ruins, that were discovered in 1932.   Also from here you can hire a small boat to go over to the tiny islet of Kastri opposite.  On Kastri there is a little Monastry Agios Andonis. 


Kefalos itself is a quiet holiday resort, the actual main village is built on stone high up in the cliffs.
There is a small harbour  KAMARI BAY.
Today most places were getting ready for the holiday season, painting and fixing.  Not much was open.

The views as always, took my breath away.  I took a few photo's, but was so worried that my children might disappear over the edge of the cliff, they were hasty, and not particularly brilliant!  We never made it up to the windmill either, which is a popular feature, my family have got very lazy, I was wanting to go!  It was though, another very warm day for April, and I had been dragging them around for half an hour!

At the top of the village, you can walk through the winding roads, there is a beautiful church, and many old style Greek buildings.  My eldest children learnt 'clay modelling' in this particular building featured, on a school trip a few years ago.

The caves are also of interest, it is said that during the different occupations of the island, that the islanders used these to hide out in and teach the Greek language, as it was forbidden at the time.  (Especially during the Italian Occupation, most of the Greek schools were closed and they were forced to learn the italian language).

There are also many farmers in the area and a lot of goats!

PLAYTIME

The sun has got his hat on, hip, hip, hip HOORAY! 

Our first swim in the sea today, it was freezing!  BUT, as always, once you got in a swam around a bit you could actually begin to feel your body parts again.  I was dreading getting out, but there was not even a breathe of breeze today, and we ran up and down the beach to get dry.  Heaven!

The children are shattered and so am I!  Plenty of fresh air and exercise, and maybe too much sun.

This is the beach  in TINGAKI (a popular, but not too overcrowed tourist resort), where I was today.  It  is only about 15 mins drive from Kos Town.  Easy to get to by bus in the summer tourist season May-October.  Long beautiful sandy beaches, and perfect for swimming. 

 Shallow waters when you can just keep on walking out and out, ideal for children.  It's still early, but during season time there are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas to choose from along this coast.  There is also an excellent  choice of restaurats and snack-bars too!

From TINGAKI you can see the island of Kalymnos (famous for its' sponges).
AND....
Imia, a small uninhabitable  island which was at the centre of attention in  1996.  This was when Greece and Turkey were on the brink of a war for a few days over who's island it actually belonged to.  Thank goodness the crisis was defused with the help of foreign intervention.    A frightening time for all of us, that were living here then!

The coast line of Turkey is very clear and the sunsets from this beach are out of this world.

                                                   .....................................................................
We also had a lovely morning at Xara (again!) which was spent with friends drinking coffee, whilst the children bounced up and down and ran over each other on automated cars and motorbikes!

HEAT WAVE!....AND THE HEDGEHOG!

A very hot day in Kos today! Usually, April and May can be a little bit 'iffy' but the temperature just soared, and it's going to be even warmer tomorrow. Might even have to dig the swimming things out!

A walk by the sea, and an afternoon at the garden centre. Followed by a few hours potting the plants we bought, and getting dirty, very! Especially the children. Infact there was more 'new earth' on the floor than in any of the pots!  They also drowned most of them with the vast amounts of water they used! Poor things....

Introducing you to our hedgehog, that is driving the dog (Smelly Charlie) crazy every night, aswell as the neighbours.  He won't stop barking at it!  Not sure if it's for security reasons, or if he actually wants to eat it....

We've rescued it many times, and have given it food and a drink. It's even survived a jump off the balcony! Apparently, they just  curl themselves up in a ball and can drop from quite a height.

By the way the picture of the pots and beautiful flowers was taken at the garden centre....we didn't plant that many!

SUNNY DAYS.....SWINGS & THINGS!

Another sunny day (aren't we lucky). The morning was spent still trying to get rid of the red rain, (which actually was from a few weeks ago), off from my roof-top balcony...difficult task. This happens quite often in Kos, it's horrible, very, very dirty and dusty.

We had some time to kill before my daughters Modern Dancing Class at 'Ballerina's & Dreams', (The School belongs to an English friend of mine), so we headed to the Kos Harbour, to the park. There are swings there and a slide, however you can't actually see them in the photo!

We watched a fishing boat come in, and went across to see their catch. Only one very large octopus today though, which they had dived for, without the use of a spear gun.

The local fisherman had a wonderful ancient greek name, which for the life of me I can not remember!). He posed with his octopus which he was 'beating' until it turned white (this usually takes about 15 minutes). It involves slamming it down on a hard surface over and over again. This makes them very soft when you eat them, once you've removed most of the ink.

Octopus is a speciality in Greece, and it is often grilled and is superb, especially with a squeeze of lemon or a dash of vinegar.

KOS MARINA

After a dull start to the day, the sun shone brightly and we decided to take a stroll around the newish (opened in May 2001) Kos Marina. Which isn't very far from the main Kos Harbour.

We love to look at all the yachts, catamarans and beautiful boats. Sometimes we even pretend that one of them is ours! Today especially, I fell in love with this one (pictured here). We tried to hang around to see if anyone famous might peek out, but alas!

The Kos Marina offers the 'sea go-a' first class services and conveniences. I am always impressed on how clean and spotless the facilities are, and how well organised it seems. It is actually one of the most modern Marinas in Greece.

We sat in the cafe bar later, watching the world go by (but, all was extremely quiet today). As the sun beat down on us and we started to frazzle!

A WALK BACK IN TIME....

I wish, you could just go back in time to the ancient days gone by. Walk down the flagstone paths in your toga, barefooted, with a Greek 'God' at your side. As you slowly make you way to the amphitheatre where you are about to be enthralled by a Tragedy, and fed grapes by your lover.....with the sunsetting over the mountains, and the smell of the eucalyptus trees.......

Opps got, carried away there! I forgot this is 'The little Greek Island', not 'The NOT so Greek Goddess'! Or a Mills & Boon.

THIS MORNING, i took a trail around the ancient paths with my two youngest children, who enjoyed it immensely. Climbing over rocks, stones and finding our way through some of the jungle (it's a little bit overgrown in places at the moment).

We visited 'The Odeon' (discovered in 1929), still in good condition, with some of the original marble steps. I fell down these steps from the top to the bottom years ago, and have had back problems ever since!
Here, underneath the Odeon was discovered one of the most famous statues of Hippocrates - The great Physician of antiquity, who founded the first Medical School in Kos (The Aesculapium),and for whom we owe 'The Hippocratic Oath' to.

The Aesculapium is one of the most spectacular sites on the island (i shall take you there on another day!)

There have been several major earthquakes in history, which have had a dramatic effect on the landscape of Greece. In 469 A.D. one in particular almost destroyed the whole island and later in 554 A.D. The quake was so 'earth shattering' that the ground level of Kos even sank by a meter.

Other earthquakes of a later date have unearthed previously hidden ancient monuments, old cities and temples. The island has a rich mythological background and prehistoric era in evidence. During history the island has seen many settlers and has been 'occupied' by 'a whole bunch of people'!.
This has resulted in a mixture of ancient architecture & design. The Romans had a huge influence on the island, and reconstructed the city, building on the foundations of the ancient ruins. The Italians also tried to 'alter' the island. Which has resulted in an island with its own unique character.

Today, we saw pieces of what was once, a beautiful mosaic flooring, roman baths, pillars that have been re-erected in the ruins of the Ancient Gymnasium, where 'games' would have been held, and wrestling matches were popular. Neptune was said to have wrestled with the Titan Polivotis here. Plutarch (The great Greek historian/biographer) mentions Kos is several of his 'works'.

A long story, but the original name of Kos came from a daughter of a king, of a son of another king which led back to the mythical king of Kos Merops! Something like that her name was 'KOOS'. Hercules, also fought with Antagoras on the island, and later escaped dressed in woman's clothing to the mountains, where he gathered an army and succeeded in crushing the king and then married his daughter!

Kos also participated in the Trojan war (I had to read that for my A'Level Classical Civilisation exam). Occupied by The Persians, Romans, Crusaders, Knights of St John, The Turks, Italians and The Germans!
FINALLY The Greek Flag was hoisted on the 7th March 1948.

ANYWAY TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT....IT WAS A MYSTICAL, MAGICAL MORNING!