Kos
The Hippocratic Oath, eh? The first time I visited Kos I could have done with Hippocrates being around. We'd been to Leros, via Kalymnos, by boat and on my return my stomach was like Hephaistos' furnace. That's another tale from the early 90s.
Our most recent visit took us to Kos Town, to Lambi, actually, just north of the harbour, not far from the military base, which is keeping a close eye on Erdogan's madmen. There's a very long very straight road which runs up to Lambi from the harbour. It's a good 15 to 20-minutes walk. Taxis are frequent. Here we stayed at the Aegean Houses in October (the final week of the season).
We arrived very late in the night. We were shown to our room by the fab Night Porter, George, who also happens to be an 'architekton.' Such are the vagaries of existence in sub-Schauble Greece. We were just about to collapse onto our beds when my son said, "Something's burning!" Welcome to Greece! The oven was jammed on by the previous occupants and wouldn't switch off.George to the rescue! He couldn't turn it off either. Nor could he find the power-switch. "New room!" he suggested. Off we trudge, knackered, to a dishevelled half-cleaned room, scheduled for sorting the next day. Used deodorants everywhere & suntan creams and unmade beds! Chaos! But no burning ovens! Off George trundles. We sleep, sort of. The next morning I go down to reception to sort out our correct room and Amanda, the receptionist, is apoplectic about our welcome. Free breakfasts and the run of the place. Sorted!
These are our protagonists for the week. Dimitris is the barman & waiter and also a magician. He does card tricks and slight-of-hand for the amusement of the kids who stay there. Every day he gets me to speak to his wife on his mobile in Greek. Crazy. [I hope you get that dishwasher for your cocktail glasses.]
Here is the link for Dimitri's Magic Show........The Wizard of Kos!!!
Giorgos is concerned that we'd complain about his shifting us around - but he relaxes when he discovers we are hellenophiles who are used to this kind of thing. There's great food here and fabulous service. Amanda & Anthoula take care of taxis and general stuff and the owners are also friendly and welcoming. During our stay there's a name-day for 'Dimitris' in Greece, so both Dimitri, the Wizard of Kos, and the hotel-owner (another Dimitris) bring boxes of cakes for everyone as gifts. Can't fault it. Serendipity.