Day 13: and repeat day 12!

We enjoyed the day at St Nicks so much yesterday we decided to do exactly the same again today, and why not, the holiday is almost over.

So it was a walk to Pedi and then along the new path to St Nicks.

Yesterday we missed the road signs on the new path.

But we were soon at the beach.

So the routine was sun, sea, food, sun, sea, return home.

All very relaxing.

Day 7 Toli Beach

Another day another Beach! This time we went to Toli.

Last year we did not manage to get to Toli. This year it was on the to do list.

As we did not hire a car it was a pickup by Symi Tours then a drive down on the back of the Toli Beach pick up.

The beach is stony and not very wide but as it is not very busy that was not a problem. The taverna is good with the best toilets owe found on the island.

At the end of the day it was back in the pick up to meet the bus. 

After a rest we and a bit of photography 

it was back down the Kalistrata for something to eat, and a bit more photography.

And at the end it was back up the Kalistrata.

Day 6 (I think) and the relaxing gets deeper.

After all the excitement of yesterday. (Not! but that is why we are on Symi) Today was a beach day and time on the sun loungers.

But first it was another fantastic sunrise.

What really surprised me was how fast the sun is moving around the horizon from day to day. 

I knew that at this time of year, around the equinoxes, the length of day and the position of the sun is moving at its fastest rate, but rarely having the good fortune to have the time to watch the sun come up on several days from the same location, the speed of change was very noticeable.

Anyway I think I did go back to bed for some more sleep before the walk down to Pedi.

The beach of choice for the day was Agia Marina. 

Now I am aware that people generally either love or hate Agia Marina. Mostly because it is the most developed beach on Symi. 

I have a slight dislike of the beach but that is purely personal between me and the beach, or rather the Gecko that lives on the beach that caused me to put my back out, when I tried to bend down to take a picture of it last year!

V loves the beach as it reminds her of the Lido of her youth, all white paint and concrete and a slight whiff of luxury and the exotic. 

I must admit that 'luxury' and 'exotic' are not always associated with Prestatyn but there you are.

It did give some nice pictures.

So after a day on the longer it was boat back to Pedi and a chance for a couple more pictures before heading of for a night on the town.

Day 5 (Recovering from day 4)

Who would have thought that siting on a boat for a few hours with a bit of swimming, eating and drinking could be so exhausting!

It was and it took a day to recover.

That said I did see the dawn from the balcony.

Anyway it was back down the Kalistrata.

and the day was spent wandering from cafe to cafe around Yialos.

Looking at the residents.

Enjoying the lunchtime view.

We did have a little bit of exercise with a walk up to Ekklisia Evaggelistria 

and then back down for another drink, and the walk back up the Kalistrata.

Holiday Preperations

To badly misquote the Chinese philosopher Laozi.

'Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with deciding what camera to take'

We are off to the Greek island of Symi for two weeks, to the same apartments we stayed in last summer. Then I took my Nikon D700 and five primes and as I was away for only a week no computer. I borrowed some extra memory cards so I was fine.

This year I am planning on taking this set of gear.

Very light! 

On the left is a Nikon D40x with a 18-55mm zoom the other camera is a D70 converted to shoot IR images. The other lens is a 55-200mm VR. 

I will also have my laptop so don't need a large number of cards. 

I loose some capabilities with this set up. The lenses are slow f3.5- f5.6 and the D40x is only usable up to 800iso at a push, also I won't have my fisheye lens. 

But I will gain in other areas. My primes top out at a focal length of 105mm but the telephoto zoom will give me 300mm(e) angle of view. It also has VR so easier to handhold.

The big saving is that it light. The D40x and 2 lenses weigh no more than the D700 and a lens. 

Both cameras have an the same size sensor so I have the same angle of view for both cameras. 

Also like last year I won't have a tripod, as all mine are too heavy and not designed for travel. but I am taking this.

A Manfrotto super clamp and a articulated arm I bought off the internet a couple of years ago. The clamp will attach to a rail or bar, and with the articulated arm I can position the camera easily. I tried attaching a ball head but that setup is very limited on how much levelling I can achieve. That said the arm is slightly less rigid but the lack of righty is outweighed by the extra articulation. This setup would not work well with a D700 due to all the extra weight. 

Also I am taking a different bag this year. Last year I had my Bellingham camera bag that I bought in 1984. This year I am taking a 2001 vintage Lowe Pro stealth reporter. Its better for the laptop and carries more when we get there.

Agia Marina Beach Symi

The last beach we visited on our short stay on Symi was Agia Marina. We got the same taxi boat as our trip to St Nicks. The cost was slightly more from memory.

Agia Marina is the most developed of the beaches and almost has a country club feel to it. There are green lawns palm trees and a restaurant that serves good food.

The beach is small and sandy, and the sun loungers are all on hardstandings. The cost of the loungers is the same as St Nicks but no discount for using the taverna. We sat in the shade of a tree and all day we had geckos running around under the loungers.

When we first arrived we had mixed feelings about the beach but the day was very relaxing and at the end we both agreed that it had been a good day.

Marathounda Beach Symi

While on Symi in the summer we visited several beaches. Each was different, all were great for swimming with water clear as a good gin.

Marathounda Beach was the first beach we visited, as part of a trip across the island.

The beach is stoney with a small patch of sand at the north end near the path down to the beach from the road. The beach is one of the few on the island that can be driven too and is served by the taxi boats.

There is a small taverna and sun loungers with sun shades. We sat on one for a while and were not asked to pay. The taverna is small but good by all reports.

The only downside are the goats that run wild in the area. They will eat anything so it is prudent to keep a close eye on your bag, its not unusual see a goat nibbling on a hat or a towel.