Arillas here I come!!! :D

[justphil]

Sam, please natter to some strangers like we were to you last year. Introduce them to the Arillas lifestyle. Point out that they will become true friends. Make them understand how our little place delivers amazing holidays.

I have a request though. A video of the sea front, from Kaloudis to Sea Breeze all full of happy people enjoying their time in Arillas. In two weeks we will be doing it ourselves.

Phil

[Samwell]

Well everyone, I can tell you that I am now back home, lovely ol England... hmm.

9 days was not enough time, but I count myself lucky to have got to go there.

This year was the hardest year yet to leave... especially as Ive made some great new friends who some of are still there! Its getting harder each year, and Ive spent a lot of my time today wondering how and if I can go back sooner than another years time, even to work.

I have so many stories and could bore you all until the cows come home, and I will.... later, but right now I need to catch up on my sleep then goto work (joy!) then come home and sort out my 500 photos and 8-10 videos I made. (Less than last year Im afraid but I just wanted to enjoy myself and not spend it worrying about photos for a change)

What I can tell you is that (if you havent gone yet) Arillas has only got better (to me) and the people only nicer.  I have a real soft spot for Yiota, how helpful she is and kind, I'd like to call her my Greek Mother - she did say I look like her son! Dimitris, Litsa are brilliant, so kind, so helpful, generous! We all went for a trip to Mathraki and I have SO much to say about that, but will wait. I felt accepted, I felt like a true friend of theirs being invited by them. It warmed my heart and honestly, I cant say enough to thank them. I have a lovely photo of Spiros after he spent all day splashing around in the sea, falling asleep on the boat home. Noufris was a pleasure to see again, always with a smile on his face... and Brouklis's new waitress, who I will admit I have a soft spot for as well, lovely girl... it took me a beer or 2 to pluck up the courage to go up to her to give her a beautiful flower I had found :$

I had my first meal in Kostas (lovely and a little different from anything else I have tried) I swam lots, sunbathed lots, got a lovely tan and healthy glow! I got the videos, but as I only had a quad, they are probably too bumpy. I WILL add them to YouTube and post the link ASAP but I warn people now, it may give you  a headache - And Phil, yes, I got it from Kaloudis to Sea Breeze and beyond!

I think this time I have spent most of my hours in Arillas instead of traveling (although saying that I spent a day walking to San Steph and back, cutting my foot to shreds in the process - took 7 days to stop bleeding!) But still, 7/8 full days in Arillas is STILL not enough for me.. 14 might MIGHT do...

Ill goto bed now as Im rambling like... well, I do!
More to come, Ill post a new thread for my full report and photo links and video links!

Kalinichta!
Yammas


P.S Arillas rules!

[justphil]

What a glorious testimonial. Just back and full of bemoanings that it wasn't long enough. I wonder how many of the forum have felt that one!

And you followed it with a heartfelt preliminary report on arrival, before bed. We are ALL looking forward to the whole thing. With any luck I'll read some of it there.

Arillas can still surprise, even after dozens of visits. Jen and me still have things to learn and things to do. One thing we agree with completely - 10 days is too little time unless you follow up with 10 more a few weeks later. To be honest we found a month just about the lower limit to do all you want on holiday there.

I said to Jen earlier, you are a "spirit of Arillas" someone who is happy to embrace it and shout it out loud. So glad I am listening. 

Phil

[Erja]

But still, 7/8 full days in Arillas is STILL not enough for me.. 14 might MIGHT do...

it is never enough! Thank you for your report and sounds like you had a brilliant time!

[sharonF]

Really enjoyed reading that Samwell, made me want to get on the next plane out there!  Looking forward to your next report and photos. 

Sharon x

[Cheryl2307]

What a lovely report, thank you so much for posting.  Looking forward to the photos too!

[TerryW]

Samwell, that was a joy to read, and you could tell it was straight from the heart. I got the feeling that you just HAD to post something before you went to bed due to your Arillas high.

Now hurry up and get the photos and videos posted .

Terry

[Janis]

Samwell - it was great reading your preliminary report - sounds like you had a great time with all our wonderful friends out there!
I'm looking forward to reading your follow up and looking at all your photos and videos

Janis x

[JohnTheRef&Dot]

Just missed you Sam
We called into Broukils 30 minutes after your taxi left

[Samwell]

John

Noooooo....!! Really??? My flight was delayed by 2/3 hours!!! I could have stayed and said hello... and bye! Ahrr... shame

Todays been especially hard, getting back to work... holiday blues had lots of rubbish to deal with. Ive been thinking hard all day on if and how I could come back this year, but theres absolutely no way its possible... sad really, but Ill have to try and get over it.

I thought to myself today, a revelation if you must... I was thinking theres no point living life unhappy and stressed when life can be so short, you MUST do the things that make you happy, otherwise what was the point? So Im going to give it a good hard thought on what I should do with myself for the rest of my life. I realised I wont ever be earning the big bucks, I wont be hugely successful, and if I am, it'll probably be doing something I dont like doing. Id much rather have less money, scrape by BUT be HAPPY...

Anyways... FULL holiday report to come later on!

[Jo Wissett]

great great great report Samwell.  Like the others have said, you can feel how much this visit meant to you.  each year me and Mick find it harder and harder to leave. Can't WAIT for the next instalment!! x