Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Arillas general information => Things to do => Topic started by: Sandy x on July 21, 2014, 11:27:51 PM
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After more than 20 years of visiting Arillas, I finally caught the ferry to Othoni today, via Mathraki (10 euros return!!)....
One and a half hours on the ferry amidst water melons, tomatoes and Corfu beer followed by 3 hours on Othoni.
Some time ago, I had read an article in the Sunday Times or Observer about the old Venetian houses on the island so that was my top priority. We stopped for a coffee as soon as we arrived and I enquired about the location of the houses. The waiter looked astonished that I wanted to visit and said it was a 40 minute walk up a mountain. Needless to say, I was not impressed.... Overheard a young woman speaking English...turned out she was Italian, living in Barcelona but working in a taverna there for the summer. She spoke to her friend Nikos, a very handsome Greek working at a radio station in Corfu Town but there on holiday....he was determined there was a solution to my dilemma, made a couple of phone calls and 5 minutes later an old man pulled up in his pick-up truck and he drove us in the back up the hill. We agreed he would come back for us in an hour. Half way up the hill we met Claudia from Switzerland, staying at Zorbas and also on our boat...she was very pleased to jump in the truck with us...
We then walked up a track and back to about the 15th century with old Venetian houses, some of which were being restored...amazing views. Then we met Giorgos and Anna from Thessaloniki, who had bought one of the ruins and restored it, and stay there for 2 months every summer. Idyllic setting and they invited us in for tea and fresh almonds...plus dinner tonight if we had wanted it!!!....he was a photographer...
Then back down the hill for a swim and some lunch in the taverna where the Italian girl from Barcelona was working.
When we said goodbye at 3.30, we felt we knew everyone in the village and had made some good friends.
Well worth the trip and I would recommend it to anybody. In summer the boat leaves San Stef at 1015 and returns about 5pm...
Another example of amazing Greek friendliness and hospitality.
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PS Boat goes on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in summer.
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Sounds fabulous, I have been to Mathraki twice and I really enjoyed it. Must try to visit the other islands.
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Sounds amazing!!
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Sandy, what a wonderful adventure, and so much help with your quest.
Would love to visit someday.
Val x
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I did Erikoussa last year and it was lovely so I'm really looking forward to Othoni and Mathraki this year :-)
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Hi Sandy, lovely to know that after all the time you've spent in Arillas you are still able to discover and be delighted by new experiences. Enjoy, as you always do!
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What a lovely lovely experience Sandy! Thank you for sharing :)
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This reminded me of your "Fireman" story, Sandy. What an amazing day you had. Was the sea calm?
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Thanks so much for sharing this Sandy. Lovely adventure, and on the list.....
Phil
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Was this an organised trip?
or did you just turn up at the ferry in SS.
Sound interesting
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Thanks for the info Sandy, I have friends visiting at the moment who could be interested in doing this
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Just turned up for the ordinary ferry...Noula at San Stefanos Travel tells me there are no longer any tourist trips to Othoni. The sea was calm as a mill pond...but this did make it very hot on the way back even sitting outside.
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Pics parakelo Sandy :-)
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My sister has posted photos on facebook...I am hopeless with technology.
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We are same as Rachel have done Erikoussa and said we would do thoe others. Think Othoni is next on list now. We would much rather go on the normal ferry then a tour. Much more fun. See you at soon. Xx