1) Corfu News - Epiphany!
2) This winter's olive
harvest.
3) Caption Competition.
4) Greek Name Days
5) Website News
6) Lynn's Travel Corner
What a wonderful winter we
are having here in Corfu. The olive harvest, epiphany and rain! Yes I have
to be honest - well lets face it you can all see the web cam pictures - we
have had a lot of rain here in Corfu - and people wonder why the island is
so green!
Corfu News
For Epiphany (on the 6th
of Jan) we went down to the little Church at Kouloura. The local priest or
'Papas' is typically friendly.
During your next visit to Kouloura,
and should the church doors be open, why not take a look inside. A word of
warning though. Strictly no cameras in Greek Orthodox churches and out of
respect cover your shoulders and legs. I managed to take the inside photo but I had to ask for
permission and only because I am a church ‘regular’ was I allowed - and if
you have ever seen my 'nobly knees' then you will be glad to hear that they were
covered!
Anyway, after a two hour
sermon the holy cross is taken outside and the priest throws it into the
water three times (a long cord is attached for easy retrieval).
On the third
throw, the local boys dive into the harbour to retrieve it. An extra
blessing is bestowed on the one who manages to find it first! Well this year
it was far too cold, and only one local was brave enough to
dive into the freezing Mediterranean waters to ‘claim’ the cross.
Unfortunately on the first throw, the cord was snagged by Spiro's fishing
nets that were abandoned by the key side. So three more attempts were made.
The lone swimmer 'Maki' was waiting to dive in at the other side of
the bay - he hadn't realised that the first throw was a dud! So he made his
valiant 'dive' on only the second official throw.
Maki
emerged out of the water in his triumph, only to be told that he would have
to do it again!
About 200
locals turned up for the event and Theo and Lynn offered drinks and cakes.
Donations went towards the Church's planned restoration.
The Olive Harvest
This winter's olive harvest is
starting to taper off - usually early, but a combination of a poor crop (due
to heavy infestation by the 'olive fly') and bad weather during December and
January has caused most of the olives to already drop. You may recall from
previous newsletters that the controversial spraying of the olives has
been banned by the EU. If the spraying is stopped, then an alternative
solution must be found, if not, my worry is that local people may stop
cultivating.
When one talks about olive oil
in Greece, it is hard to over stress its significance to the local people
above and beyond a cooking ingredient. It always has and still does possess
a major contribution to Greek culture. In the diet, traditions and religious
ceremonies of the Greek Orthodox Church, olive oil plays an integral role.
In times past, it was a source of light, the wood from pruning of the trees
a valuable winter fuel. The presence of an olive tree is an ancient and
lasting indicator of individual property and boundaries. It was, and is for
many, life itself. At what ever cost, the olive harvest and its traditions
must be saved.
Caption
Competition
This
photo was taken during a visit to the old deserted village of Perithia which
has become quite a tourist attraction. I can only assume one entrepreneurial
'goat herding' local has decide to try and sell their wares. If you would
like to add a caption to this photo, then click here. (And yes the sign is
spelt "Village Toyrist Shop")
Caption Competition >>
Greek Name Days
As well as the yearly
birthday, Greek people also celebrate their name day. Only the Greeks could
find an excuse like that to have yet another party!
Name-days are an important
part of Greek life because the names themselves go back to the very roots of
Greek culture. You are sure to recall names such as Hercules, Odysseus,
Alexander, Socrates, Plato, Constantine and Aphrodite! All of these names
and many more are derived from the original Greek. The Greek Orthodox
religion, observes ‘saints days’ when individual name-days (and there
original namesakes) are celebrated. Some common name-days are:
Spiros - 12th Dec
Alexandros - 30th Aug
Costas (Costandino) - 21st
May
Theodore - 23th March
Eleni - 21st May
Yannis - 7th Jan
Georgos - 6th May
It is traditional in Greece
for a party to be thrown on the person’s name day. A Buffet at the house is
usually prepared and there is lots of drinking - usually homemade wine!
Invites are never given - friends and family are just expected ‘turn-up’
sometimes only staying for a short while, as they are sure to have other
friends to
visit. (We know 6 Spiros!) During the name-day, friends
who are unable to attend often telephone to wish ‘Kronya Pola’ which
literally means ‘many years’. Foreigners are often unsure if they should go,
but do not worry as you will always be offered a warm welcome and the person
who has the name day will be flattered that you have visited (and remembered
their day.) As a general rule, if you would consider the person a friend
then by all means go. Do not forget though – it is customary to take a gift.
A bottle of whisky is the most common male gift! But also consider a cake or
bottle of wine. For children of course toys.
Few Greeks tend to celebrate
their real birthday, but western influences have taken their toll! Some now
do have a birthday party – normally for the younger family members. They have
though in no way replaced the importance and significance of name-days.
Web Site News
'Either the computers
go - or I do' Eleni shouted!
Yes it is true. This website started out
as a simple hobby, but has turned into an obsession! Eleni insisted that I
move my five computers with all their tentacle like cables and peripherals
out of the study so it can be turned into Aphrodite's bedroom. With this in
mind and the starting of our new travel venture, we have converted an
apartment into an office. This is located up above Kaminaki, just off
the main road.
Lynn and
I Working hard - trying to finish the newsletter!
The
website certainly continues to grow and improve. Especially with the help of
so many of Corfu's regulars. Phil one of our site admin members, has
extensively revamped the Gouvia page of the Corfu Guide. We are now planning
to update the other pages in a similar fashion.
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Learn
some Greek with us! More>>
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Why not
stay in Corfu with us?
More>>
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Agni Travel was started for those who wish to
enjoy holidays on Corfu independently of a large tour company. Lynn (Theo's
longtime girlfriend), who has been working for the last three years with
'Simply Ionian' a specialist villa company on Corfu, is now helping me run
the business. I have benefited greatly from her
experience and travel knowledge.
The response to our new company has been most
encouraging and certainly indicates that a flexible company offering the
convenience of arrival and departure on any day of the week coupled with
fast friendly service via the internet is in demand. We feel though that our
main asset is being located in Corfu. If we receive an enquiry asking 'How
many steps are there down to the pool for my elderly parents?' We can
immediately go and take a picture and email it back with a full description.
Our knowledge of the properties is in depth and current. How many times have
you booked a holiday in a high street agent only to find out that the agent
'selling' you the holiday has never even been to the location or resort! Why
not give Agni Travel a try this year?
Lynn's Travel Corner
KALO MINA ! (Have a
good month)
Welcome to 'Lynn's
Agni-Travel Corner' on behalf of myself, Nathan, and all
our owners and local suppliers here on Corfu. Thank you Nathan for your
introduction! Nathan and I are working
together on our new exciting Travel Venture - offering villas, houses and
apartments on Corfu.
I have lived and worked on
Corfu for the past three years, my passions and local interests of the
island are ever increasing. Every day there is a new sky awaiting adventure
and promising new experiences, tranquillity, good food and wine ! Why not
join us and see for yourself?
The Winter months here are
spent relaxing, renovating and olive picking! With the roads now very
peaceful of traffic, except when following a local taking his olives
to the press!
With plenty of odd days of
bright blue skies and sunshine – why go elsewhere to recuperate? On a warm
day it is magical to sit on the Liston in Corfu Town with the sun warming
your back, sipping coffee or ouzo and getting caught up on gossip with your
friends – wiling away the hours until ‘meze’ time! Followed of course by a
siesta – its compulsory, even in the winter! Or,
taking a ‘Sunday afternoon drive' across to the
other side of the island, enjoying a basic picnic of bread, cheese, home
made wine (dad's of course!), meats and fruit
whilst watching the sun go down over the Albanian mountains in the distance.
Pure Heaven!
This month I have selected
three of our properties to show you ; ‘Villelmina’ in Sinies
‘Vingla House’ Vingla and
‘Casa Lucia’ Sgombou.
Villelmina - Sinies
Firstly, ‘Villelmina’ Sinies, above Agios Stefanos.
For modern and spacious accommodation with a view you could never tire of.
This villa is in an ideal position to suit all needs – with plenty of local
walks through olive groves and pathways; nearby thriving fishing village of
Agios Stephanos with harbourside tavernas to truly immerse yourself in local
cusine; and then Kassiopi for a little more adventure, lively nightlife, and
a once magnificent 13th-century castle that is a focal point of historical
interest.
The village of Sinies hosts a number of ‘local
characters’ just wandering to and fro with stories to tell of bygone days.
Watch the local fisherman as he drives into the village , his van
laden down. He attracts all the neighbourhood cats
and they await their ‘free feed’ meowing for more!!
Villelmina is a family
home, sleeping maximum 6 people, lovingly built by Leo and his father who
next year (2004) will have completed a swimming pool and an apartment below.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS, AVAILABILITY AND PRICES.
Click here>>
Vingla House - Vingla
Secondly, ‘Vingla House’
high above Kalami.
As you climb up to Vingla,
the view is breathtaking. It shows the Albanian mountains just across the
water, and is directly up behind Kalami Bay, with Kouloura to the left, and
Agni to the right.
Built amongst the owners olive trees, the pool is
carefully positioned so that the views down to the sea can be enjoyed at all
times. The house has high beamed ceilings which make it feel cool, light
and spacious. The downstairs bedroom, just off the kitchen is ideal for
those who do not like the stairs ! whilst the upper two bedrooms boast the
same view as below with en-suite bath/shower rooms. Outside, the BBQ makes
for lazy days and pure relaxation in a secluded and well-appointed villa
with spectacular coastal views.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS, AVAILABILITY AND PRICES.
Click here>>
Lastly, I introduce you to
‘Casa Lucia’ Sgombou.
Casa Lucia - Sgombou
Imagine
this; ‘a small collection of colourful pastel shaded cottages set amongst an
abundance of exquisite and immaculate gardens. The oval shaped pool offers
plenty of relaxation as well as shade from the vine covered canopies and
seating areas’
No need to picture this
anymore, Agni Travel offers you two of the cottages; 'Gardeners
Cottage' and 'The White
House'.
Gardener's Cottage
Gardener's
Cottage is set back off one of the large lawns with its own private driveway
and parking area. Inside it has a double en-suite bedroom, galley kitchen
and spacious lounge/eating area. Outside is a cool stone paved patio for
alfresco dinning.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS, AVAILABILITY AND PRICES.
Click here>>
The White House
The white house is the
upper level only with a rear balcony and views to the gardens behind. From
this elevated position you can see all the ‘comings and goings’ of Casa
Lucia as well as the pool area. On entering the house you are in the bright
kitchen/living room, and with a curtained off en-suite bedroom, giving you
plenty of space and relaxation areas. Despite the wonderful seclusion, it
takes just three minutes to walk to the grocery shop in the village, and
only fifteen minutes to start and drive up the North East coast where some
wonderful beaches are awaiting you! Given Casa Lucia’s lovely swimming
pool and stunning grounds, however, you may rarely feel enticed to venture
even that far.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS, AVAILABILITY AND PRICES.
Click here>>
That’s all from me for this month, looking forward to
hearing from you soon and helping you
arrange your holiday.
Regards,
Lynn
lynn@agni-travel.com
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