BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Penny Clarke" data-source="post: 1238131" data-attributes="member: 40022">Thursday 8th MayGraham and Glyn were travelling from Leicestershire and Pete (who lives in Holt) and I travelled from King’s Lynn (where I live) and we we all met up at the airport.We left at 5.50am - I was driving and Pete was map reading which I decided would be the best option as I would probably direct us wrong and then I would be in BIG trouble! We arrived at Gatwick 9.15am (147 miles) at the ‘Summer Special Long Term carpark. Graham and Glyn arrived shortly after us and we all felt very excited about our journey ahead.We got the yellow bus to the south terminal and we quickly got into the check in queue at 10.30am  and they opened up at 11am - I am glad we did as the queue behind us was massive! First stop was a nice cup of tea from the Uppercrust. We then had a look round the shops and I succumbed to a travel set of 3 Chanel No. 5’s for £36.50! We then went through passport control where you now have to take your shoes off and searched!!!! (I have not flown for 10 years!) I had tons of things crammed in my CI sleaveless jacket with 12 pockets full of stuff, so I just took the whole thing off and put it through the scanner, I assured the security staff it would be quicker than me emptying the pockets! We then all went to Frankie’s and Benny’s and had birthday lunch - it was Glyn’s birthday today - I had nut roast with salad and garlic bread. We then went to Boots to stock up on some bottled water for the rest of the journey. We went through departure gate 23 and I gave my parents a quick ring.We sat in seats 12a , b and 13a, b. We took off at 2.07 (13 minutes late). It was a 3 1/4 hours journey so we should arrive at Mytellini airport at 5.22pm (local time 7.22pm). Took some fantastic pictures with my Nikon coolpix of blue skies and fluffy white clouds amidst the mountains and sunshine and also of the Alps (see pic below). The landing was CRAP to say the least - it was the equivalent to an emergency car stop - we dropped and the second the wheels hit the runway we screeched to a stop so quickly I thought we were were going to crash!!!!!!! After we had come to a standstill (a few seconds later!) an air hostess (on behalf of the captain) said over the tannoy ‘we hope you have enjoyed your flight today and it was a pleasure to bring you down safely’ at which the whole plane roared simultanously with laughter - it was very funny, although not at the time!!!! It was now 7.35pm (local time).As we walked off the plane I had expected it to be sticky hot, it was the complete opposite, in fact it was freezing cold!!! A coach transported us to the terminal - I hadn’t realised it was literally next to the sea, the main doors were 50 yards from the sea lapping on the shore. First bird tick, a house sparrow at the airport. After collecting our luggage our Manos Rep. led us to our transfer coach and we left at 8.10pm (transfer time 2 1/4 hours). We travelled through so many interesting villages, but sadly in the dark shortly after we departed, but I kept awake even though the day had been long - I love to see new places and don’t like wasting time sleeping - I think my companions had nodded off! There were lots of hairpin bends and it looked much more scenic and beautiful than I imagined - I felt very excited about exploring the next day when the sun had rose. Our luggage was delivered ahead of us and taken to all the different apartments. We arrived at Anaxos Gardens just after 10pm.We had 2 rooms between the four of us and we had requested high floor and our rooms to be next to each other, but we were ground level and although our rooms were next to each other, Glyn and Graham were in for a shock - Pete and I randomly went into room 4 and Graham and Glyn went into room 3. We are all individuals so naturally all wanted a single bed each, so it was very amusing when Graham and Glyn came straight out again to announce that they had a double bed - they were not happy (Pete and I laughed:-O), so after speaking to the owner, a young couple who had also just arrived, who had got a room with 2 singles were only two pleased to swop, much to the relief of G and G!!! We dumped our stuff and went straight out to a supermarket a few doors from our apartments to stock up on breakfast stuff and water and of course chocolate!!! we could hear nightingales singing all around us. Back at the apartments, the lads went for a drink in the bar - I boringly stayed behind because I am a bit fanatical and like to unpack everything before going to sleep! The rooms were very clean and beautiful, we had a stunning bathroom with typical greek shower and no curtain! but I had bought one with me which I rigged up with string! We had a kettle, toaster and plates and cutlery etc. The only annoying thing was there was not a single hook anywhere to hang anything - yes we had a wardrobe but it would have been so helpful if there had been a hook on the back of the bathroom door or on the main door or anywhere really!!! Lovely balcony with table and chairs and a view of the swimming pool, beautiful flowers everywhere and the wonderful sound of marsh frogs singing interspersed with nightingales singing. Before I came on this holiday I had expected the nights to be sticky hot and was slightly miffed that we had not got air con - well BIG surprise - it was FREEZING!!!!!! I did not sleep a wink, because I was so cold we only had a sheet and a thin cover and there were no extra blankets in the wardrobe or anywhere I could find.Pics below from left to right: Pic 1. Very sleepy people - Glyn, Pete and me. Pic 2. (cos I didn't get Graham in the 1st!) Graham, Glyn and Pete. Pic 3. Flying over the Alps. Pic 4. more fluffy clouds and Pic 5. Arriving at Mytellini airport</blockquote>

Verification