ALONISSOS - TIM’S TIPS

1)  If you have a choice take the ferry from Skiathos rather than the flying dolphin hydrofoil. The dolphin is much quicker but the ferry gives you the opportunity to enjoy the coastline of Skopelos and peaks of remote Greek villages. You have more chance of seeing a real dolphin too.

2) You probably don’t need me to tell you that the pace of life on a Greek island is decidedly slower than most places. On Alonissos it’s even slower than that. Slow down, don’t get stressed it’s far too hot for all that. As I’m told they say in Greece "cigar cigar" (I’m spelling phonetically here), "slowly slowly".

3)  No offence to the taxi drivers but …take the bus. When we were on Alonissos there were only two taxis. I understand there are now five or six and they do get you to places the bus can’t reach. But the bus is such a cool journey and it’s so cheap. The driver and ticket man do the same run between the harbour, the Chora and Steni Valla it’s hard to see how they don’t get tempted to drive off a cliff. Though it sometimes feel that they might….they don’t. Be friendly to them and you will get excellent service.

4)  If you read the diary you’ll notice I’m a little unkind to a tourist who I mock for having his own fly swatter. Get yourself a fly swatter!! Unless your one of the Save the Biting Insect club a fly swatter is essential (and can be good fun!! Weirdo). It will be especially essential if you walk the old donkey path between the harbour and the old town in June. Beware the green eyed monsters!! (You’ll need to read on to know what I mean).

5) Don’t plunge into the sea with gay abandon before checking out the jelly fish situation. I understand we had a particularly active jelly fish year but several people got stung and it can be unpleasant.

6)  If you do get stung by a jelly fish don’t be shy……get someone to wee on it. I know! But it really works and it does break the ice with new people.

7) You know when you’re sitting at a taverna and you think the locals are laughing about you? Well they are!

8)  If you intend to be on the island for more than the average holiday it is worth thinking about your transport needs. If you can’t make do with the bus or walking and you think you may need a moped or motorbike, it may actually make more sense to take one with you (depending on where you are going from of course). You can always sell it at the end of your stay. Many beaches are at the end of long and gravely tracks so something a little more robust that a 50cc moped is advised (though ours coped).

9)  Understand that Greek life is very different from say, British life. If you grasp this then realise that Greek Island life is very different from life in say, Athens. Get this in your head and your nearly prepared for the fact that life on Alonissos is unique! Read on!!

10)  We left in September and tried to get a flight home. We found that every student was looking for flights to everywhere you may want to go. We were lucky to get a flight home via Budapest. Go before or after but not during mid September.