The Monarch flight on 31st May 2000 from Manchester to Rhodes delivered hundreds of holiday makers to Diagoras Airport and as most of those sunseekers were dropped at various destinations on Rhodes by coach, I and my two new friends (the lucky three) found ourselves at the harbour in Mandraki as we were to be taken by a lovely old ferry - The Symi 1 - on a beautiful crossing to the island of Symi. I had purposely looked for a Greek island that was real, rather than a holiday resort and wouldn't be disappointed, Dot and Brian from Chorley, Lancashire assured me that I was in for a real treat as they had holidayed in many beautiful places on many many occasions over the years, but never had they felt the urge to return; not until Symi !! I was about to experience the most beautiful time of my travels so far, not especially well travelled, I had visited many parts of the British Isles, Corfu twice, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona and Dublin but, oh my, as we turned to the approach to the harbour - Yialos - I was mesmorised by the sight of the boat-filled harbour and the town of scrumptious houses that arose above and around it. The giddy chatter of the people on the Symi 1 became infectious as new and old visitors excitedly waited to touch land.

At 8pm The Symi 1 docked just by Pat and Ali's bar, and Sylvia our Manos rep arranged for Dot and Brian to be taken by taxi to their accomodation in Pedi, and she told me that I would be walking to mine as it was only a few paces around the harbour. It was, and after gazing at the sight of so many unusual items being loaded off the ferry - panes of glass, mopeds, and cases of beer and retsina, I dragged my luggage those few paces around the harbour to a little studio in a back street behind Harani Bar and Club, it had no balcony or terrace and not even a washing line, but I didn't care, I loved it and dumped my stuff and went out in search of dinner. Feeling shy, I sat down at the first restaurant I walked by, Bella Napoli, and was served a delicious dinner of pasta and salad by a lovely French waiter Fabrice, who would later become a close friend to me.

Part 1 - continued..

"Where can I find The Kalistrata?"