IRINI BEACH -TIGAKI, THE ALIKES RESTAURANT/SALT LAKE....AND TURKISH VILLAGE

We have been spending a great deal of time at The Irini Beach in Tigaki, as my parents are staying there, like they do every single year for the last 12 or 13 years!  There is also a lot of lovely familiar faces staying there too.  The location is just on the outskirts of Tigaki, quiet, practically on the beach, a beautiful pool, children's pool, gardens and play area.  Restaurant with a terrace, and pool bar.  What more could you want.  Bus stop a few minutes walk away, that takes you into Tigaki centre or to Kos Town.
Friendly staff, Mini market, and perfect views.  Most people once visited come back year after year!

These little birds, are 'housed' at the Irini Beach at the moment, and growing by the day!
The weather has been a little strange the last few days, from soaring temperatures, to storms and rain, sunshine, and wind, a little bit of everything!  We've still managed to get a tan through the clouds though, and at least you can sleep at night without the airconditioning on full blast!

We had a wonderful walk in Tigaki, stopping off to at Tigaki Tours, to catch up with a friend who runs it.  Great prices on excursions, special offers and a perfect service from pick up to drop off.  Plus car hire available at excellent rates.

Lunch at a favourite place of ours, Alikes, which has fabulous Greek food (and other), at such reasonable prices and massive portions.  Run by a wonderful family, that make you feel so welcome. 

We managed to have a stroll around the Salt Lakes before the storm started, we were trying to find the Flamingo's , but they were on the other side, and we couldn't get to them, my 'zoom' also has sand in it, so no longer zooms.....how annoying! 

It was my husbands birthday yesterday, so we went out for lunch, all this eating out.....no wonder   I never seem to lose any weight!  We headed up to Arap in the Turkish Village, another favourite eating place, run by another lovely family.  Greek and Turkish food, delicious tastes, (homemade) we ate courgette flowers stuffed with Turkish rice, cheese pies that melt in your mouth, okra, tender kebabs on pita breads with yogurt and sauces that are just divine, were just some of the dishes we ordered...mmmmmm!  

You cannot come to Kos without visiting or passing through and sampling something, it is on the way up to the Aesculapium - one of the most incredible ancient ruins on the island - (sanctuaries of the God Aesculapius where he was practising his therapeutic art, that had ben taught to hime by his father Apollo).  Also the great physician of antiquity Hippocrates founded the first Medical School here) too, not too far from Kos Town.
Now I need to insert a picture, but don't have one available!

The Turkish village is known by two names Platani or Kurmides, the restaurants and snack bars are also very popular with the locals.

HOT HOT HOT.....and finally a breeze.....!

It's been an exceptionally hot week, in fact a heat-wave has been hitting the Greek islands, the children have finished their exams, and now most of the schools have broken up for a 3 month summer holiday (apart from some of the playgroups.....).

Most people I know have been hitting the water, whether it's a cold shower, aqua blue sea or a pool.  The only way to cool down with temperatures soaring over 40 even.  Unbelievable.  I imagine quite a few sore sunburnt people out there too.

I didn't even feel like eating, so it must have been hot, and we have drank gallons of water in the last few days.

So, we've been at the pools and beaches over the last few days.  I even joined in an Aqua Aerobic class at one of the hotels, which was so much fun, and we ended up having to dance by the side of the pool, at least i wasn't the oldest swinger in town, but one of the few English girls!  Most of the larger hotels have great Animation Teams, and offer all kinds of activities, ranging from Aqua Aerobics, Yoga on the beach, Darts, Crazy Golf.......and  Kiddie Clubs and Disco's, and you don't have to go All-Inclusive to do so......!

The girls and I visiting 'friends' at one of the All-inclusive hotels in Tingaki, even has a wave pool.  The Aqua Aerobic Instructor, at a hotel in Kos Town, he wanted me to sit on his lap, but I didn't think my husband would be too pleased.....even though I am old enough to be his mother!

My youngest daughter also had her school production of 'The Olympic Games', she is only 3, and it was so cute.  A huge audience in the open air Stadium in the Psalidi end of Town.  All the Playschools of the Local Council in Town came together, and it was a beautiful evening.

The breeze is back, so there was plenty of Kite Surfing yesterday, and Wind Surfers around.  It is a perfect place for anyone wishing to do either on the island of Kos,  as well as Paragliding, Banana Boats, Ringo's...etc...etc....

My parents arrive tomorrow, and stay as always, in Tingaki, a quieter resort 15 mins by car, outside of the town, with beautiful sandy beaches, where my dad sits for hours fishing....he has only caught 2 fish in about 10 years....!!!  So I will be spending my next few weeks in Tingaki, and then England here we come!

WEEKEND FUN AT SUNSET....THEN TINGAKI - WEEKENDS & AMPELI.BY DAY.........FISH HOUSE BY NIGHT!

I managed a quick visit to Sunset Taverna in Lambi, well know for it's fine food, great hospitality and amazing homemade lemon cheesecake (along with apple pie, tiramisu, and.and and......!) on Saturday night, to see friends.  This IS a  frappe by the way, that I'm drinking! 

(pic on right Amanda's heavenly cheesecake......!!!)

Boy, was it hot today, and we were unable to go swimming due to little one

coughing....so we had coffee (and the girls had Nacho's) at Weekends in Tingaki, which has excellent food, and amazing (huge) selection of salads....American/Mexican/Greek cuisine, and desserts that make your mouth water.......You can sit up on the roof balconies and watch the sun set over the islands opposite too in the evening very romantic.

The photo wouldn't upload of view from roof balcony :-(

As no one in our family can ever seem to agree on anything we then visited friends at Ampeli, a beautiful Taverna set in the countryside of Tingaki amongst all the vines.  Good  traditional Greek food, and homemade wine.  Not that I had any today though, just gallons of water as temperatures rose. There is also a small park for the children, perfect!

Home made Ampeli wine can be bought both red and white.

What a busy day, eating and drinking (as usual) followed by an evening out, thank goodness we had a little afternoon nap. A stroll through town to the Coffee House & Fish House, where two musicians with guitar and bouzouki were playing Greek music, very layed back, great sound and effortlessly good!

Flitting here and there....THE NEW NATURA PARK VILLAGE & PERIDIS FAMILY RESORT!

THE NATURA PARK VILLAGE

Yep, as it says.  in the title, I have been around again this week!  It's been hot (and windy), and the Town is finally getting busier by the day.  We ventured to a new hotel, trying to find the kiddies park, to learn 30 minutes of trapsing around in the heat later, there isn't one!  It is still very new, so we will let them off!  The pool area is fantastic, and there is even a private villa with own pool on the premises too.  They do have a children's entertainment programme up and running, and beautiful dining areas, and poolside bars. 

This hotel is in Psalidi at the far end, again good bus service operating into town from here, and it's right on the beach!

My favourite place SOO far in town is a little, now rather big Family Haven, I couldn't believe it.  It's been some years since I have been there, and it's grown and got bigger and better, and the facilities for children well, a child's paradise, and a mother's one too!

THE PERIDIS FAMILY RESORT, has extended and is exactly what is says it is, an oasis in the middle of town, but still in quite a quiet area.  Walking distance to the New Marina, beach and town centre.  Two pools, jacuzzi and children's pool.  Indoor ball park for youngsters, an outdoor swing park, with a huge wooden Wendy house for the kids to play in, trampoline too. If the sun is getting too much a brightly coloured TV room/another play area inside,  air conditioned.  The children loved it!  Crazy golf, basketball/volleyball/tennis courts and a gym for the sporty ones too!  Amazing baby changing facilities....children's toilet! 

The two Receptionists are both Dutch friends and I was able to look in the deluxe suite, it has a fitted kitchen all mod cons and a double poster bed, and private pool!  All the apartments are well equipped though and furnished to perfection.

So if i was looking for a break and didn't want to go into a huge hotel complex, and wanted to be close to the town, with small children this would be ideal.  They have family rooms, 2 bedroom apartments, divided rooms for bigger families, they really have thought of everything.  When I was trying to find accommodation like this in Rhodes it was almost impossible!


Entertainment, BBQ's and Greek Nights by the pool too....perfect!  If you are booking from England, Olympic Holidays feature these apartments, or you could try over the internet EXPEDIA.HOTELCOM.

CHECK THEM OUT on http://www.peridis-apartments.com/

Where is the time going?  Well into June already.  I seem to spend a great deal of my time at the Supermarkets lately, my children keep eating me out of house and home, even though we still eat quite often at the Fish House.
 All the passports are 'almost' ready, (to travel to England next month), having spent many hours at The Kos Police Station the last week, and that's about it I guess.  Quick stops off for coffee at The Sunburnt Arms too, all the 'rabble' are here......and it's good to see them!

THE DIMITRA BEACH HOTEL, MICHELANGELO.....AND KARAOKE!

It is incredible, I've lived on this island for what seems almost a lifetime, and every day I come across places which are breathtaking, and you sometimes forget the wonders and beauty of Greece.

At the other end of town are the Therma Springs, which I haven't got around to going to for a few years, even though one of my good friends has a beach and serves food and cold drinks/ice-creams down  there.  Must go.....!

I stopped off at two 'out of this world' hotels before you actually reach the Springs.  The Dimitra Hotel and The Michelangelo, both of these hotels are next to the beach, scenery to die for.  Everything you could possibly want to pamper yourself whilst on holiday, pools, spas, restaurants, sports facilities, and The Michelangelo has a separate children's 'level' with pool, grass, park and a kiddies club, with indoor games, face-painting and a whole range of activities catering for them, very well organised. 

The main pool, I can't quite explain it, and the photo doesn't do it justice......it's as if you're swimming on the horizon?  Simply amazing.

The Dimitra Hotel has been re-done also and is looking good, , the children love the bar stools in the pool.  Again, the gardens and surroundings, and accommodation which is practically on the beach are all well kept, colourful and of a really high standard.

SATURDAY was a busy day, my daughter had a friend from school sleeping over, and we went to play parks, and ball parks, and stopped of for lunch at The Fish House and ice-creams at The Coffee House.

I actually went out in the 'night-time' too, a friend was singing at Shennanigans (a bar a small walk away from the Dolphin Roundabout in Kos Town).......and wow, was blown away by her beautiful voice once again!

We had a lot of fun, and there was Karaoke afterwards, although I never went up myself, (would of needed a whole lot more wine to have done so!) 

Pamela will be singing at Shenannigan's every Tuesday and Saturday night (subject to change), throughout the summer.

And now I better get on with cleaning my house, it's Monday and I really don't know where to start!

PLACES I HAVE BEEN OVER THE LAST WEEK!

Just a collection of photo's of different places i've visited, (or trespassed) over the last week.  It has been really hot in Greece.  June has arrived and there are more tourists on the island (thank goodness), it's also half-term in England and Holland, so lots of families too.

This Hotel has been taken over by The Kipriotis and has had a facelift!    It's in Psalidi, and on the plus side for kids, Playland is a few minutes walk up hill, quite a large ball park, bouncy castle indoor air conditioned play area.

THE BLUE DIAMOND HOTEL (where Carmen-Electra stayed last year!)

Quite a luxurious hotel and very new, the top end of Kos Town, Lambi, opposite the beach.

APOLLON

A colourful hotel right in the centre of Lambi Kos Town, beautiful flowers everywhere, and my children especially like it as they have a small pond area with 2 swans and a flamingo, and a grass play area, swing park.  Double rooms are available for anyone wishing to book via the internet/hotel itself, as no English tour operators have this hotel featured in their brochures.

They also have a separate childrens pool.

It is 4 Stars....www.apollonhotels.gr

Sunset skies from my roof, the evenings are getting warmer, and warmer!  The cardigans have been put away, until we go to England that is.

THE AEOLUS BEACH HOTEL

I still find it hard to believe that there are many people out there who hate sand.  This hotel is perfect for you, look at all that grass to sunbathe on, and the sea is just a few sandy steps away.  This hotel is situated on the long beach road of Lambi, and on the back road to the resort of Tingaki.  Lovely pool, park and we were actually so hot, I never made it to the reception area!  Any of the hotels though if you need more info, just search for them, most of them have there own page, info and photo's.

We've also been at the beach in Tingaki over the weekend, to cool down.  The sea was shallow and crystal clear, not even a ripple.  Most beaches have sunbeds and umbrellas to hire (anything from 4-6 euro a day for 2 beds and umbrella's).  We had our sun tent, there are beaches also that stretch for miles without any sunbeds too.

Forgot the camera, so will take photo's the next time!

OH I ALMOST FORGOT......

 After an intense 4 day course in Basic Life Support and First Aid, I got a certificate.  I spend a lot of time practising CPR on this, and we became quite attached, however 'it' has now flown back to England!

I really enjoyed the course, and I know it will come in very useful.....if I can just remember everything!