Hi everyone
The good news is that I may have an opportunity for a second hol in Arillas this year, sometime early in September. Please can you all advise how late I can leave it to book this? I would be coming out with a male friend; maybe as just friends / maybe something more and there in lies the problem. It is a little to early to commit to booking a holiday together just yet, however we have discussed it and he would love to be introduced to Arillas. For once I could also go independent rather than package too. So, for all the September regulars - I need your advice please. Additionally I have noticed that there does not seem to be online contacts for some of the accommodation so if you can add any booking contacts that would be fab too.
Cheers
Angela
Not been in September myself..... but just go for it Angela. I can see your trepidation in waiting though.
Try Booking.com quite a few places have their properties on there. The best way is to contact the owners if they have a phone number, there is nothing like the personal touch.
The Horizon would be a beautiful hotel to introduce a "friend" to the romance of Arillas.
Sorry couldn't resist, I love a good love story, I am just an old softie. :)
Val x
Hi Val - it's just soooo complicated. It is a colleague who I have been friends with for years and we have always got along and flirted a little. However he was in a long relatnship (13 years) and is not the 'unfaithful type'. Added to this is have always said I would never date a work colleague and even more so not a married one! Nonetheless there was always that spark there; the one that makes you thin 'what if'.
However, recently his partner died, only a few weeks ago in fact. I have been there as a friend for him, as I was during the few months of her illness. Naturally we have grown closer as he has wanted to talk at length. He has now asked me to go for some days and nights out with him etc, we also discussed holiday plans and he is aware of my attraction to Arillas - I said well we could go out there for a week in September and he is very keen to do so.
But, but, but - I am taking a very careful approach to all this - I think he is maybe moving on a little to fast for his own state of mind - or maybe I am misreading things and really just wants to be friends. Only time will tell - and I will definately keep you all updated:). Even if it is as just friends though, I think arillas would do him the world of good as it is peace personified.
Actually Val, I checked booking.com and I can book some of the apartments with free cancellation so that is definately an option. Thanks for that. Just the flights to ponder now.
Angela
Angela, you are right to proceed with caution, but a few days away with a very good friend is maybe all that he is looking for. Men see things in black and white, so before committing to booking ask him what he expects from the holiday...OMG I am turning into an Agony Aunt!!
Seriously, though if a trip to Arillas was on the cards I would have to make sure it wasn't spoilt by a misunderstanding. Remember also that some men can't live without a good woman to organise their lives.
Val x (married 43+ years so don't know anything about such matters) ha ha
Lol :)
Val, you would make a good agony aunt and it is really good just to chat about these things. I do agree that as women we do have a tendency to over think things. I also suspect I have too much time on my hands!
Angela xx
Hi Angela
Flights tend to go up the longer you delay. Easyjet from Luton we paid £162 in total with luggage booked outward in october 12 and in december 12 for return flights 15 nights for our september hol. Our daughter booked 10days ago for september 7 nights £ 246 with luggage. Todays price 290.08 same flight. Plenty of rooms available. Go for it perhaps see you there.
Al Sal & Becs
Ah Angela, I'm a well known old softie - I love a bit of romance, as Jen might confirm. Like ValnBill, Jen and I are childhood sweethearts who never "grew up" and have been married to each other for 40+ years. Faithful to the end and I will never be involved with anyone else, whatever happens. But most of my dearest friends are women. I have relationships with so many women who love me and whom I love back, but none will ever be sexual.
If I have an answer to your post, it is this. Don't have expectations, just follow your heart and see what happens. You will know what is right. It's how I try to be when I'm at home, in Arillas, or on our forum.
Phil
Thanks for replying all of you, it's lovely that you make the time to do so:). I am just going to go with the flow I think, wait and see if he brings it up:)
Angela xx
The best thing to do Angela. I agree go with the flow is good.
BTW leave a space after your last word and your smilies will do this :) :)
Val x ;)
Thanks Val :)
;-)
Phil
Firstof all, you need to decide that you will be going come what may....whatever, you will be fine here on your own .....I am here now on my own for 2 weeks. Whatever you book will have 2beds......if things go well, he can always book a flight later and join you
If things have not developed but he wants to come as friends....he would have no prob lems boking somewhere in September to join you, but in separate rooms.
Go fot it...you have nothing to lose.
That's a good idea Sandy :)
Just a quick update for everyone ;)
We are booked for the Mathraki for 2nd Sept :)
That's two Arillas visits for me now this year :)
Soooooooo happy - it will also be my first 'adult only' holiday for 22 years !!!!!!!!!!!
Regards
Angela xx
thats good news angela!
we are going to be there in september too, we arrive on 6th sept, might just bump into you!!!
unless of course you will be too loved up to notice anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!
ger x
lol Ger - I know one thing for certain - i am going to tick skinny dipping off my bucket list ;)
angela ,ditto
our 2nd visit is in sept and we land on the 20th ,,yammas
Hi, Angela. Good news about your September trip. You`ll be just up the road from us. We`re at Kaloudis from 30 August. Hope we bump into you.
Yammas, Paul
Angela we are going in July just the two of us. No kids. Will really miss them not being there but so looking forward to it!!!
Ness
Well done Angela....you didn't waste much time.... :wink:
Lol, thanks for responding everyone :)
We laid our cards on the table this morning, so to speak, both thinking there may bea future for us but both agreeing to stay just friends for at least the next 12 months. Neither of us want to spoil things by rushing things. I will be wearing wincyette from neck to ankle for our week in September. Nonetheless I am really excited about our week away; my first holiday without children in all that time and an adult to talk to over a lengthy meal. Such bliss - I won't know what to do with myself!
Thanks everyone for your comments and for putting up with my drivel :). It will be lovely to see some of you out there.
Angela xx
Angela, you have done the right thing......but wincyette nooooo. You would terrify the life out of him. Just be yourself, don't let him think that he has gone on holiday with his great granny.
You will love the Mathraki, e-mail Nic and Akis the week before you go and ask for the top floor, sunsets to die for. We love room 9 it's on the end with unrestricted views.
The rooms are typically Greek.....basic, with a small bathroom but very clean with a kitchen fully equipped with everything you might need and two ring oven/grill. No hair drier so take your own.
Nice and quiet, no children and a lovely pool and bar.
Buy your water and milk at the bar, the supermarket opposite is the only place in Arillas that you will be overcharged.
Val x
I have never yet heard of anyone who has been able to resist the romance that Arillas creates, whatever they said before. And wincyette is an impossibilty in September anyway - far too hot!!
Phil
Great tips Val, thank you. I did have a laugh at the thought of wincyette on the beach as it happens - such an image to conjure up! I have already planned some things to do - these being things that I cannot talk Livi into doing when we are there in July August:
Visit
Afionas and eat drink at Anemos and the Night Owl
Skinny dipping
Eat lengthy meals with plenty of wine and then finish off with ouzo shot (not that I would want Livi doing this one anyway at 13 yrs!)
Have a snooze after lunch, by the pool
Karaoke or similar
Sit on the bench and watch the sunset
Lots of snorkelling (she does this but only in small doses)
Kayaking (again she does this a little but gets bored quickly)
If anyone else thinks of any adult type activities (keep it clean please, lol), the feel free to suggest :)
Angela xx
I know Phil, it may well be a case of good intent but ... Lol.
Still, the intentions are good.
I wonder if you can still buy wincyette anyway?
Angela xx
Bingo at Rainbow with Eggy calling the numbers
Quiz at Kaloudis and win the trip to Sidari
Dance to Neil Diamond in the Nut
Watch Mama Mia in the Nut whilst sympathising with Sammy
Celebrate a birthday in Armourada with one of Verena's cakes
Go shopping at Yiota's
Bingo or quiz at Bardis Sun Studios (Poppy's Bar)
Greek Night at Marina ......
So many possibilities. So little time. Should I go on?
Phil
Find out when you can visit the brewery, even if you don't drink their beer, it's a short walk up the hill from Mathraki.
Spend all evening in the restaurant of your choice, pre dinner drinks, after dinner drinks and then order another carafe of wine just because you can!
Stroll back up the (small) hill and stand on your balcony watching the moon move over the sea.
Oh, and don't forget to try one of Nic's big breakfasts the next morning.
Val x
Skinny dipping and remaining just good friends for a year may just not go together....
thanks for the tips Val and Phil.
Sandy - you may well be right, lol. However, my body is not quite what it was at 21 but having said that I watched Shirley Valentine again a few weeks ago, so who knows (we have the reference in the Arillas Song to blame for me watching it after all these years, but I am very glad I did as it was great).
Anyway, we both travel a fair bit with work and it looks like he is off to India from July until the holiday so at least that will slow things down, probably out there for a year or so (with time off for good behaviour of course). however, for the romantics out there, I will also be out in India intermittently, on business (engineering) so we will try and meet up at one of the 'hubs'; delhi, or chennai even.
'Tis all good stuff :)
Angela xx
hahaha ang
sounds familiar,,,,i too have been offered a contract in sri lanka ,on a 6-12 month contract,45degrees working days ,hmm not looking forward to it,,but also a second visit in sept departing on my wifes birthday,will miss you but you can leave me a pint in the nut ,lol,,enjoy while you can life is to short ,as many people might not even make 1 visit this year,so we are truley lucky ,,enjoy ,,yammas,x
Well done Angela 2 jollys in Arillas enjoy :-)
Angela, when you go with Livi to Makris go and spend a day at Mathraki, there is no problem with children visiting, children can't stay because Thomsons say the walls on the steps up to the rooms are too low.
If you just buy your drinks you will be very welcome especially if you tell Nic that you are returning in September. There is never very many people at the pool and there is an abundance of sun-beds. The food is great too.
Val x
That's a fab idea Val, thank you :)