Fireworks, Flaming Judas, gunplay in traditional style, Greek Easter, Paska, was certainly the busiest in memory. In addition to the usual festivities, a long weekend was introduced to allow travel time as Protomayo (May 1 or May Day, the Greek Labor Day), fell on Easter Sunday and was thus moved to Tuesday, May 3, making for an extra-long long weekend. The cars at Metoxi opposite were parked for hundreds of meters up the access road and out onto the main road, and to boot, the first arrival of super cruise ship made it feel like Times Square at New Year. From tranquil little vehicle-less island one day to super celebration the next, human gridlock. The staff and folk in the catering businesses will probably have to put their feet up for a day or three.

Times they are a changing

Sunsets in Kamini Harbour are like finger prints or snowflakes, no two are exactly alike.

Platinum Peace

To gentle classical background music

Kodylenia sunset showed one could say the spectrum of precious metals, golden, silver, copper, bronze and platinum.

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

Here is one example of  behind the scenes Red Tape idiocracy. A common potential health hazard to the village thwarted by ludicrous bureaucracy . The leaky Vothros (septic tank) of ours, will take months and months to do permanently, because  in order to obtain permission to do so, an awfully expensive official document has to be stamped, drawn and quartered, by a various selection of hard working civil servants who understand why funds not to introduce a decent sewage system for Kamini in favour of a for-instance, planned set of park benches on an electrified paved road to Vlichos are more important.

May the Voth-Force be with you!

Obviously we are having it temporarily fixed now, for safety and olfactory reasons before the season, but within a year the same rhubarb as every year. I feel for the guys down in the valley for whom this is a real and ongoing problem. Ask Zoe or Elleni at their Pensions. We demand justice… Well it is is here—– May the Voth-Force be with you.

Come and get it.

Usually a lethal combination, however there is always an exception. For example, traffic into Kamini harbour in February doesn’t pose much risk by them what’s relinquished steerage. Spotted here, a local mate (anonymous by request for fear of  other paparazzi or fishering-fellows)  summoning family help to carry the days catch. Love wintertime on the island, these snippets are ‘once only’ specialities.