A Thousand Rooms with a View… Of Us!!!

As always there is always a counterrhubarb to anything on the island, even at first glance. Well, hardly a glance—one cannot miss it: the planned new super cruise ship to visit Hydra on a regular touring basis this summer. The influx of hundreds of potential tourists represents an economic boon to the Rock, and most are extremely optimistic that this will boost the island’s coffers substantially. We are all for that.

But . . .

Smashing say some…or is it?

Is it really going to be such a great thing, or will it turn into more unsuspected trouble than it’s worth? The plausible flip side isn’t purely from those who would prefer not to have their sunset obscured with a multistory five-star floating hotel, or the old school who suggest that this will be detrimental to the tranquil ambiance that is Hydra.

It is certainly not an exhibit that would have attracted the likes of Leonard C, or Brice M, Norman M, Bill’s P and C, George J, Joan C, and so on, ad infinitem, who strolled our cobbled streets unhindered by hoards. Those days are lamentably gone forever, everywhere.

No, this is inevitable progress. Reality is that these tourists will not need to spend cash on accommodation or frequent the island’s dining establishments, what with their 24-hour Michelin-star restaurants onboard. They will, however, add to the crowding on the harbor front, purchase perchance a trinket to two, and perhaps stop for a cocktail or coffee. In fact, some have pointed out that the only bit of the town’s infrastructure they will make use of is our overtaxed ablution facilities.

Teanahkhaname. We shall see, again, if it actually happens, but we in Kamini feel there too much smoke for this not to have flame somewhere.

PS. This is not an April Fool joke, but Kalo Mena Ollah

David Fagan

David Fagan is CEO, president, managing director, author, publisher, and chief bottlewasher of DavidFagan.org. On his first visit to Hydra back in 1983, David decided that owning a bar in this exotic location was an ideal way not to spend the rest of his life in the fast-lane of corporate advertising and journalism. It was an idea spawned by the Honorable Bill Cunliffe of Bill’s Bar, renowned wateringhole for anyone who knew this part of the world at the time. He and a couple of old-timers, Anthony Kingsmill and Leonard Bernstein, planted the seed: Come!