Posted: 3rd Jan 2005 covering the 2004 season and winter.

Xronia Polla, Happy New Year and Welcome to the Elounda77 Newsletter

"At last," I hear you cry. Well, apologies, I've been extremely busy summer and autumn 2004 and haven't really had the chance to do much on the site at all. I do hope you enjoyed the Video clips of the Euro 2004 celebrations in Elounda (Phil G posted some aswell so make sure you've followed the link to the selection that he has online) What a fantastic time to be in Greece. I was supposed to be flying to the UK before the semis but just had to stay put for an extra few weeks. The Greek lads went one better and got on planes to Portugal.

The Olympics were the crowning glory of a Greek Sports Summer and, although I didn't have chance to get to the capital during the Games I was fortunate enough to be in Elounda. I'd been in Athens the week before the opening ceremony, for a few days, and the pace of activity was frantic. Lawns, walls and flower beds were appearing. Building screens were being peeled away and there was a real international feel about the place. People of all nationalities walking around with their Olympic Volunteer passes around their necks and distinctive shirts. It was hot, it was chaotic in a reassuringly Greek kind of way but it ran contrary to all the predictions of the bitter sniping in much of the pre-Games British press. Some of the column writers at 'The Times' should feel especially guilty on that front!

There were small yellow information kiosks everywhere and the security presence was well balanced with plenty of municipal police providing a friendly approachable tone to it all. The whole country was still reeling from the Euro victory with posters, shirts, scarves and pictures everywhere, but the Olympics were around the corner, and what an Olympics. The opening and closing ceremonies were awesome spectacles even to behold on the television. It was a great summer for anyone fortunate enough to be in Greece in 2004. It was great to know that people were downloading the clips I'd got of the Euro celebrations. They were only AVI files taken straight from my normal Digital Camera but I'll be posting longer digital camcorder MPEGs in the 2005 season of any 'momentous' happenings. Although they may only be of appeal to those with faster connections most can be downloaded in five minutes or so on dialup. Make a cup of tea while it comes over.

There's an updated page about our Free Webcards for those who own a business in town and want to have a picture and description in our pages. The 2004 Competition Gallery had some great Summer photos uploaded before it rather terminally imploded just before Christmas. Most pictures have been salvaged and just need resizing before voting can take place approx mid January. The 2004 budget only extended to a book, map and phrase book but it's still a prize worth claiming should you be the lucky winner. If your picture doesn't get relisted - apologies - some just could not be retrieved for various reasons. Ill be looking at a clean Gallery installation in 2005 with a limited number of free user accounts of 25MB available for members and moderators to post and host Elounda pictures plus a public space for the season where anybody can upload an Elounda snap. Next year's prize should, hopefully, be a bit more impressive!

Where have I been hanging out in Wintertime Elounda then? Well, alphabetically, Alyggos, Bar 74, Elemans, Evangelias, Hellas Bar, Hiona, Sea Breeze and Symbol amongst others. Some places aren't open all 7 days but the beat of life just slows in town.

Where can you dine out in Winter? Including some of my favourites you will find that Oceanis, Mams, Paradosiako, Ariadnes, Porto Rino, Megaro and two new places that have opened since my last newsletter, Roosters and Tryst are all open in the Winter plus of course others that I have forgotten to include.

What's happening in the Winter? Well, Babel Internet Cafe is expanding to effectively double in size and is in the middle of major building works but should be reopening soon. Definitely a place to check out in 2005. A new fast food place is opening next to Maritsa'a. A number of small new apartment developments are being built which can only be good for those of you looking to book your rooms direct. Places are added to the directory all the time so be sure to check out some of the sites of the local hotels, apartments and traditional houses when you're ready to book this year. There have been quizzes each week in various bars; the fishing competition and Xmas party were held (inheriting the mantle from the old Fiji) as usual at Sea Breeze; The Filozoikos had one of their treasure hunts around all the villages which everyone, even those who got completely lost and had to reverse back, seemed to enjoy. By December the Christmas trees were going up; life just slows in the winter, slipping from month to month

One of the most common questions I see or get asked is "Where can I rent an apartment for long term" and that applies in Elounda itself. Property is rented fast and it is often difficult to catch one that is eagerly awaited when it comes back on the market. The local paper 'Anatoli' would be a great source for rental property in the wider area BUT it is in Greek so if you are completely at a loss you may need some help to translate the adverts. We link to friendly people with multiple properties available over the winter like Toad Halls, Elounda Heights, Janet Apartments (see under Hotels), Elounda Hill (see 'Classifieds' or www.eloundahill.com) . Many properties do not need to be advertised off the local grapevine but like anything, the best thing to do is ask for advice in Elounda. Maybe somebody's neighbour is looking for a tenant. Maybe someone has just seen a sign on a lamp-post, but the key is you need to be there to view at short notice. The site is slowly being use more and more by smaller property owners but many at the moment still do not have internet access. Those that do and are wondering how to get listed are encouraged to contact me using the message board, form or email.

This year the number of Chritsmas lights around Elounda seemed to increase again and they looked great wrapped around the telegraph poles, across the street and the Year on the Church tower was there as usual. The maypole or christmas tree of light rope went up in the square and the progression on the building of the nativity scene became a source of daily conversation. On the last Saturday before Christmas, when I left, there were quite a few from Elounda, who were like myyself, due to get on the 5.20 Olympic flight out of Heraklion. It was late; only a little though and as far as I know they made their connection and were last seen running for a plane at Elefthrios Venizelos.

Whilst the start of December had given fantastic, calm weather it had turned into some strong winds by the middle of the month and a monsoon style torrent greeted me in the centre of Athens. The weather had cleared though on the Sunday for typical blue sky and the crowds were out early shopping and playing. This video is a 2.7MB AVI file of the carousel in Syntagma which was just part of the Christmas entertainment and decoration

http://holiday77.net/mirrors/ath77/MVI_2116.AVI

The afternoon / evening trip back to the UK was uneventful with KLM's two planes being reliably punctual, meaning I was out at T2 Manchester bang on the time it stated on the ticket. A day after I got to England the North West had a snowfall. It was typical. Anyway, in the next couple of days I shall be looking for a ticket to get back

Best wishes to all friends in Elounda and those online (especially Anne for her tireless contribution to moderating the message board with her typical scouse wit ;-) Enjoy yourselves and have a great year in 2005

Mike