Z is for Zakynthos (Zante)
in the late 1980's whilst Larry & I were still in the Dinky phase (double income no kids yet)
we would have several holdiays a year. I would visit my girlfriend in the States in late January
and we would take a weekend city break at Easter to Paris or Edinburgh
We started visiting Zaknythos in Greece in June 1986, an Ionian Island.
Before the high summer period when it was the time that mainland Greeks families took their holidays on the less commercialised islands. We would go for two weeks in June and another two weeks in late September just before the end of season when the wind the rains came suddenly.
We became very friendly with a group of people who ran establishments in Kalamaki
Then a hamlet with only 4 groups of rooms and one Hotel the Crystal. One disco on the hilltop, Its heart beating all night long above the crickets. One restaurant owned by Dionis and his lizardlike father. The gentle one eyed giant owned the one cafe and market with his brothers.There was also The Cave bar, owned by Nico, Petros and John 'yannis' a brit and an old friend of ours from England. It was to see him we first went there. John would spend the winter months in UK with us and Nico even visited once, he didn't stay long. We would return for several years, introducing friends to the area. Our last year there was September 1990 when we went with two friends.
a break from the long climb up, two on a moped,
the view with Laganas bay in the distance, Kalamaki to the left under the hills
The place back then was unspoilt. We were spoiled there. The sunsets, The beaches. The secret beaches around island where we spent time, swimming, eating over beach fires. Watching the turtles. The people were full of humour and generosity.
on the way to Agios Nicolais
see the sign/graffiti on the brickworkHeady days and nights.
We hear now that the 3 mile road connecting Kalamaki and Laganas is now edged with apartments, pools and hotels. Laganas was always the lively fun spot, which we only dipped into for a pizza or to pass through on our way to Keri.
-Keri cliffs before sunset-
To watch the sunsets, which are now famously captured.
worth the wait
apologies for image quality these are scanned from holiday snaps
I can't say with hand on heart whether Larry or I took the images
1986
For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.
