Greyrocks has had two excursions since arrival. The second was last week for some cosmetic surgery on Yvette (Next post for that saga!) but after ten days or so we went to Matala for their (and our) third annual festival, which you will see is now styled as a "Beach" rather than "Hippie" do!
The logistics were very different this year as we had Yvette. The date depends on Orthodox Easter which was very late this year, hence the spell in Paleo beforehand. Before and after the three day stay in Matala itself we had time in Rethymnon, staying with Saint Lefteris at the Aloe (as last year). It was very hot, and the sea was a bit too frisky to be safe for arthritic knees; but the stretch of beach is very pleasant. Overall, however, we felt that the city was "on the make" from "new" tourists that are everywhere. (Yes.. Russians!) The sunbeds were absurdly over-priced, as were some drinks and restaurants. We ate at the Noodle Bar outwards and The Fat Snail on return, both easily delivering what we were after!
We stayed at the Matala Bay Hotel, but had become anxious about being "bumped" as we were warned this could happen and we were not staying on the first (Friday) night. We almost were! We were shown to a room in the "Annexe", which had been recently equipped to meet the stated specification, but was not very appealing. When we returned at 4.30 am we realised we had left the key in the electricity switch inside. Ruth slept on the sofa fortuitously placed on the landing, and Bob - having failed to find a night porter in the main Reception - slept for a few hours on a leather sofa there until wakened and given a spare key! At breakfast we were offered a room in the main building, which we gladly took and was ideal!
The attendance was huge:- particularly for the Saturday night when young fans from all over Greece were there for Locomondo. A fair proportion of the tiny village of Anidri (up above Paleo) was there too! The Kings of Floyd were note-perfect! Other acts varied from barely adequate tributes, through interesting modern Greek rock, a very strange but profoundly popular "novelty" band and a set by an ex-Strangler that didn't include "Peaches".
We had some fun over meals too, meeting other fans (mostly German), and having the last dinner with Kalyves Barry and Judy in a tavern on the beach, where we were remembered by the waiter.
The only real objection to the whole thing is the very uninspiring T-shirt of which many remained unsold at the end!
We have booked a room for next year. (The Matala Bay is already full)
The logistics were very different this year as we had Yvette. The date depends on Orthodox Easter which was very late this year, hence the spell in Paleo beforehand. Before and after the three day stay in Matala itself we had time in Rethymnon, staying with Saint Lefteris at the Aloe (as last year). It was very hot, and the sea was a bit too frisky to be safe for arthritic knees; but the stretch of beach is very pleasant. Overall, however, we felt that the city was "on the make" from "new" tourists that are everywhere. (Yes.. Russians!) The sunbeds were absurdly over-priced, as were some drinks and restaurants. We ate at the Noodle Bar outwards and The Fat Snail on return, both easily delivering what we were after!We stayed at the Matala Bay Hotel, but had become anxious about being "bumped" as we were warned this could happen and we were not staying on the first (Friday) night. We almost were! We were shown to a room in the "Annexe", which had been recently equipped to meet the stated specification, but was not very appealing. When we returned at 4.30 am we realised we had left the key in the electricity switch inside. Ruth slept on the sofa fortuitously placed on the landing, and Bob - having failed to find a night porter in the main Reception - slept for a few hours on a leather sofa there until wakened and given a spare key! At breakfast we were offered a room in the main building, which we gladly took and was ideal!
The attendance was huge:- particularly for the Saturday night when young fans from all over Greece were there for Locomondo. A fair proportion of the tiny village of Anidri (up above Paleo) was there too! The Kings of Floyd were note-perfect! Other acts varied from barely adequate tributes, through interesting modern Greek rock, a very strange but profoundly popular "novelty" band and a set by an ex-Strangler that didn't include "Peaches".
We had some fun over meals too, meeting other fans (mostly German), and having the last dinner with Kalyves Barry and Judy in a tavern on the beach, where we were remembered by the waiter.
The only real objection to the whole thing is the very uninspiring T-shirt of which many remained unsold at the end!
We have booked a room for next year. (The Matala Bay is already full)
Hi Ruth and Bob,
ReplyDeletejust read your blog .... obviously ..... because of "Fernweh" - so sad I cannot come this year, wish you a wonderful summer and, hey, Ruth, you look great!
Greetings from Bremen,
Eva