Kronya Pola - wishing you
'many years' and lets hope that 2004 is a peaceful one. Christmas here in Corfu,
although far from a white one, has been as magical as ever - if not slightly
overshadowed by the number of weddings. Many Greeks are superstitious of 2004 as
it is a leap year and have arranged many weddings at the end of 2003 or
beginning of 2005. From Christmas until new years eve, the church bells have not
stopped their peels. It may seem strange to be invited to a wedding on 'Paramoni',
(the day after Christmas or Boxing Day as many will know it), but actually with
everyone in the Christmas spirit, it was really quite moving - although the
stag-night on Christmas eve was hard work! With a wedding-a-day to attend, as
well as fitting in Christmas, it was an exhausting week - not to mention all the
food. On the 27th of December we were invited to one wedding and turkey was
served as the main meal! No one minded, why? In Greece lamb, (not turkey), is
served as the traditional Christmas dinner.
Christmas is celebrated in a similar fashion to
the rest of the Christian world. Brightly decorated Christmas trees, coloured
lights in the streets, and around the houses. Of course there is always lots of
food and prezzies!
Christmas eve, sees the first of the carol singers. The familiar tunes - in
Greek of course! Then off to the Church. Christmas in Greece focuses on
religion, with most going to the regular masses.
Christmas day was spent at home
with the family. Mum prepared a feast.
While we waited, we nibbled on a light mezze, with a glass or two of dad's homemade
wine.
Ancient Dodona : The history
According to the 'Argonautica',
Jason visited the oracle at Dodona under the instruction of Queen Athena, to
fetch a branch from the prophetic 'Oak-tree' and mount it on the prow of his
ship. Its purpose, to guide and protect them during their perilous voyage - to
find the golden fleece.
Greek tradition considers the oracle at Dodona to be the oldest in the ancient
Greek world - a turbulent time when the 'Gods' ruled. The sacred Oak-tree was
interpreted by the priests of Zeus (hypothites). The divine will for mere
mortals was declared on the basis of the rustling of the leaves of the tree and
the flight of the wild pigeons that nested in its foliage! The oracle dates from
2600 b.c. and over the ages, more and more buildings were added until the end of
the 4th century AD when the worship of Zeus was succeeded by Christianity -
resulting in the 'pagan' tree being cut down.
A visit
If you are planning a visit to the Greek mainland, then an afternoon diversion
to Dodona is recommended - but only if you enjoy trekking around ancient
archeological sites. I did, I loved it, and was deeply moved by the experience.
From Ioannina, it is well signposted and about a half-hour drive (15 km) with
the road twisting its way up into the hills above Ioannina.
Dodona, is also
nationally famous for its feta cheese - and you will probably need to avoid a
herd or two of goats in the road! The entrance to the site, is just before (the
village of) Dodona, and low key. In fact so much so that you could easily drive
straight past it - I did! This is one of the many features I love about Greece,
the way their national treasures are promoted - not for financial gain. This
noncommercial nature, lets you enjoy the ambience to the full.
It is difficult to pen the emotion that I felt when I first viewed the
site. Maybe it was the lack of artificial background noises? Maybe because I had
full access and could walk around and touch everything - only the most fragile
areas were restricted. During my visit, Yanny the guide, told me that I had been
the only person all day (it was December though).
Of all the buildings and temples remaining on the site, the most striking is the
well preserved amphitheatre. It is the largest in Greece, with a capacity of
17,000 spectators and was built at the beginning of the 3rd century b.c, in time
for the festivals (and games) of Naia. These games (which were performed nude)
and celebrated every four years, were the basis of the modern day Olympics.
The theater was built on a South-facing slope. Since the hill was to small to
accommodate the seating auditorium, a retaining wall was constructed around to
contain an earth embankment. The front facade of this retaining wall was
reinforced with huge towers - making the frontal view of the theater
impressively monumental.
I stood wondering if I was standing where Hercules had himself once stood. I
wondering how such an impressive achievement had been constructed - seemingly in
the middle of nowhere - where had everyone gone? Fortunately, Yanny had all the
answers. He had grown up here as a boy. Now after time, his face resembled some
of the craggy ruins that he spoke so fondly of.
He spoke of memories as a boy,
when he used the theater to shelter his goats. He seemed to sense my surprise. I
don't think it was wrong, he offered in defense. It was just that in those days
no one was interested. Now, he manages the site, and he loves it. Maybe it was
because I seemed interested, or perhaps it was the sheer number of photos that
was a giveaway, but Yanny at the end of the tour invited me to join him for a
drink. I'll close up he declared. 'Parme'.
Next to the site entrance was a small building - 'Hotel and Taverna' it said.
If it was I thought, then they could only have one room to rent! Inside it
resembled an up market kafeneon, and certainly those inside were friendly enough.
Not surprisingly, Yanny was a popular regular, and soon a bottle of home
distilled Tsiporo was provided along with a compulsory meze of course.
Fast-paced conversation flowed. Yanny soon told everyone who I was, my history,
family and my trip to Ioannina. In my best 'in-fluent' Greek, I struggled to to
fill in any gaps that had been missed.
Too soon, it was time for the regulars to return to their herds. We said our
good byes and 'Sto Kalos'. What an afternoon it had been. From ancient Greek
legends to modern day politics.
Did I mention that the enterance fee was only two Euros - I think I got every
cents worth!
Taverna
Agni News
Of course, the Taverna remains closed
during the winter months. During December, we took a short break and made a trip to the mainland, visiting
the town of Ioannina.
The town of Ioannina is located around a large lake.
We returned with a Christmas pezzie for Alex - a magnum bottle
of beer!
Caption
Competition
To add a caption to this photo, follow this
link:
January Caption Competition
Web Site Meet!
On Saturday the 7th, February.
Location: Pappa's Greek Restaurant, 25, Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham.
Meet some the site regulars
at next months website get together. All are invited. If you would like to join
in, simply send a PM or email to
robin.hood@agni.gr confirming the numbers in your party attending. Robin and
Steve will help with arrangements and discussions with the restaurant.
Further details will be posted on the message boards later in January. There are
two Travel Inns and a Travel Lodge within 20 minutes of the restaurant if you
wish to stay in Nottingham that night.
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Agni Travel
Kalo Kronya !!
New Year Greetings from Agni Travel, Corfu.
After such a successful and busy first summer, Agni
Travel hade decided to expand their program for the
2004 season, offering even more private villas with
swimming pools, apartments and houses along the most
popular North Eastern coast of Corfu.
Extra locations this year include Kalami, Kerasia,
Avlaki and Kaminaki with the majority of the
properties only a stones throw from a sun drenched
beach and the warm seas beyond, making these popular
with families. Advance booking is recommended to
avoid disappointment!
We pride ourselves in 'offering' everything that is
required for a perfect holiday - but discrete enough
to know when you already have it! Help and advise is
only a phone call away from either myself, Nathan,
Sofri in the office or Stella our friendly
representative who you will see at some time during
your stay with us. As Corfu is our home, we want to
share with you the beauty, magic and charm it has
captured for us.
I will be adding more useful information and
literature to the 'villa books' during our winter
break. We are also planning to organise an 'Agni
Travel' guided day excursion on Theo's boat - taking
you to see the wonders that Corfu Town has to offer.
As the boat seats a maximum of 20 passengers - it
will never be crowded, but good fun, and easier than
trying to beat the road traffic and find a town
parking place in the heat of the day.
Why not have a look now at the Agni Travel
properties for 2004 and be tempted.
www.agni-travel-corfu.com
It just leaves me now to wish all of our past,
previous and new clients to Agni Travel, a very
Happy and Healthy New Year and looking forward to
meeting you in person !!
Best Wishes
Lynn - Agni Travel
Kerasia Beach Villas - Kerasia
Sleeps 2-4 each, from 441 Euros per week
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This unique villa positioned in a stunning location, with direct access to one of the north east coast’s best (blue flagged) beaches, is well sought after. Kerasia is a long and curved elegant bay, fringed with lofty trees almost hiding the few buildings behind this lovely shore. With clear sea and good swimming this is perfect for a mid morning dip or snorkel.
More>>
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Marble House - Temploni
Sleeps 4-8, from 1666 Euros per Week
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Peacefully tucked away at the back of the quiet hamlet of Temploni, Marble House stands on top of a hill in extensive grounds, which have the added bonus of breathtaking views across the top North East coast of Corfu, and out to the Albanian mountains beyond. The house sleeps 8 people with two double and two twin bedrooms each with their own en-suite bathrooms.
More>>
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Pink House Vlachatika, above Kalami
Sleeps 4-6, from 805 Euros per week
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Perched above the bay of Kalami in the hill top hamlet of Vlahatika, is the 'Pink House'. Surrounded by no more than a handful of quaint village houses. It has been lovingly restored by the owners, who have insisted on using traditional materials and local craftmanship to retain the original style of this impressive old building.
More>>
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Winter Weather
Have you ever sat on
the beach during your summer holiday, and wondering
about winter weather in Corfu:
November
Average Daytime Temperature: 20c
Evening Temperature: 10-15c
Rainfall: 18cm
Corfu returns to its
'normal self'. The last of the tourists leave at the
end of October. The roads are quiet.
A seasonal sign that the island is now returning to its winter state. The
tourists are gone and the roads sigh a silent
relief, letting locals return to how they have lived
for generations. Warm days, occasional
rain - not disimilar to October.
With the summer heat gone and the arrival of rain,
Corfu's landscape bursts into a display of vibrant
greens. Evenings can be cool and a
jumper is often needed.
December
Average Daytime Temperature: 16c
Evening Temperature: 10c
Rainfall: 18cm
The beginning of
winter. Expect more rain, but some sunny days. Corfu
never has 'drizzle'. It rains in raging storms, and
yet without notice, the skies clear and the sun
emerges. (This pattern is the same in the winter and
summer.) The
Olive trees are of course evergreen and thus their colour does not seasonally change.
Occasionally
at this time of year, the amber leaves of an autumnal deciduous tree
will punctuate the olive groves.
Flowers such as
crocus and daffodils - offer an early bloom in time
for Christmas.
January
Average Daytime Temperature: 14c
Evening Temperature: less than 10c
Rainfall: 13cm
Corfu in the grip of
winter and the olive harvest at its peek.
Of note, the
villages at sea level never suffer snow or frosts.
Sometimes snow on the
Albanian mountains can been seen. These are at a
height of +1000 meters.
February
Average Daytime Temperature: 14c
Evening Temperature: 10c
Rainfall: 14cm
The start of spring.
Warmer
days and the locals plant potatoes - only when they
think it is about to rain!
March
Average Daytime Temperature: 16c
Evening Temperature: 10c
Rainfall: 10cm
On Clean Monday
(March 10th) it is a national day for picnics and
kite flying.
March is a strange
unpredictable month. It can be fantastic - or
bitterly cold. If the wind is from the South, then
expect warm sunny days of 20c or more. From the
north-east though below 10c.
April
Average Daytime Temperature: 20c
Evening Temperature: less than 13c
Rainfall: 6cm
Taverna owners after taking a well earn rest, turn
their attention to painting and maintenace work.
The island starts to
buzz in preparation for the coming season. Everyone
is painting, gardening or repairing.
Evenings will
still require a jumper.
The Pulse
The January issue of 'Pulse', which is the Anglican Church
monthly newsletter, has been added to the site. Just follow this link:
The January Corfu Pulse
Villa with Pool For sale
3 Bedroom detached house of 160m2 with three covered terraces
in grounds of 1600m2 located 2 km from Gouvia and the sea. Views of the sea
towards the Corfu Channel/Albania and the Pantokrator range.
Lawned garden with sprinkler system
Swimming pool 12m x 4m
Diesel boiler central heating
Solar heating
Large outside store and double car port.
Price 280,000 Euro
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