Kaly wrap up

We hadn't been to Odyssey in years, but had a really good time. I flashed Meltemi (7a+) and Patroclos Reborn(7b) -- woo!  Here's Zoe

Dinner at Harry's

We also picked up our guide from Aris -- I have a few photos in it and he very kindly gave us a copy. The new guide is fantastic, and not because of my photos.

Here are some photos from the next few days.  A blur of good food, friends and climbing.  Chloe and I were in the best shape ever.  The kids were great-- hiking without complaint and having fun climbing.  Most afternoons we would take them to the beach.  Evenings were at various restaurants (our new favorite is the Street Food place) like Aegean and Harry's.

Fishing with Ruth and Carl

We bought a big floaty thing for the kids:

Aegean Tavern

Weird snacks!  I did not that you could eat Aloe.  The aloe was just a carrier for sugar though.

Alex hiking

Climbing in Symblgades

Then back down

In time for a sunset

And of course no trip is complete with out the Grande Grotta.  Here's chloe sending DNA (7a).  She also sent Ivi (7a+) second try.  

I fell off at the chains, ignoring the GIANT FRIGGIN HOLDS but almost onsighted Zawinul Syndicate (7c+).  Grr.

Our friend Rachel with Zoe

Some slab -- cave?

Another decent sunset

Iliada, with a really hard 7c that I fell off, and Zorba le Gros (7b) that I flashed

And the kids, on the way down

The kids, climbing to the left of Symblglades

Part of Telendos

After a 40 meter 5c!  Twice!

Rain caused some flash flooding

But we went to the museum

and saw some nice sunsets

Then one last trip to Odyssey.  Zoe on an overhanging 6a(+?)

and the walk down

I managed to send Zawinul the day before.  My first 7c+/5.thirteen.  Finally!  And many 7a on sights as well as the Craic (7b+) and Themelina (7b+) flashes.   Chloe climbed two 7a+s and did some 7a's on sight.  What a trip.  I was really proud of how well the kids hiked too, and it was so great having friends around to hang out with (and divert the kids and even babysit once)!  We've been to Kalymnos many times now, but I think this was my favorite, even if it was way too short.  We took a quick spin across the island to Vilchadia for some food

  and then, very sadly, to return my beloved Alto.

Then the usual planes trains an automobiles.  We arrived in Milan around 11 and checked into our hotel (The Hotel Executive) just down the road.  It was a really nice room, actually, and the buffet was great.  We had tried to get a room at the same place as last time, but everything was booked because of the Milan Expo.  We stopped at one of the Osteria recommended restaurants in the hills near Susa for some hearty Piemontese fare

I didn't tell the kids that they were eating tongue.

Kalymnos!

Turns out we couldn't stay away.  This time though, the kids were with us (Dramatic music).  Chloe and I were both a little worried about this, considering how lazy the kids are about walking.  What would they say about walking uphill to the crag?  Only one way to find out!  It was the usual long day of travel:  Drive to Milan, park car at long term parking, bus to Bergamo airport, hope our scales are calibrated, check in, flight to Kos, bus to Mastixari, hope that the wait for the boat isn't too long, boat from Mastixari to Pothia, rent a car, drive to apartment.  It turned out that Bergamo airport had some new restaurants, and we happened upon *the best airport food ever*.  I guess they had updated the airport for the big expo in Milan.  I Think it was called Panino Giusto, but I'm not sure.  All I know is that we had zucchini flower sandwiches!  Getting to Mastixari was pretty smooth.  Strange to see gunboats in the harbor, though.

Then, across the channel to Kalymnos!

Where we met up with our favorite car/scooter rental place guy, Noufris.

Normally, we rent a cooter, but this was obviously not going to be possible this time, not even with a sidecar.  Instead, we went with a Suzuki Alto.  Only three cylinders!  I have to say that I was a little worried about this car.  However, during the trip, I came to love it (and only 20E per day).  First nice thing:  airbags everywhere.  Second nice thing:  no bugs in your mouth and nostrils.  Third nice thing: amazing turning radius!  Fourth nice thing: plenty of pep, even with all of us jammed in the car.  Fifth nice thing:  excellent fuel efficiency:  we only filled the tank once the entire time.  That's one thing that really annoyed me about the bikes -- constantly having to drive back up the hill to refill the tank.  From now on it's Alto all the way.

Now comes the sad part of our travel story.  I have arranged to stay at the Olive Apartments.  Previously, with other places I discovered that radio silence was not uncommon, but the owner would always be there and things would be ready.  So I was not too worried that she had not responded to me in the past few days.  Once we were on the island however, there was no responce from email or telephone.  Long story short, we had to check into the *horrible* hotel Continental.  They put us under the pool.  It was dirty (hairball on the shower drain, delaminating door, cherry stems on the floor?) and really expensive by island standards at 65 euros/night.  Eventually we got in contact with the Olive person who was very apologetic and gave us one free night in her studio.  However, it quickly became obvious that she had double booked and we were staying in another studio rather than Olive Studio.  This place was nice enough, with a decent terrace and view, but I am pretty sure we won't be going back there, and will certainly not be recommending it.  It was a really long day for us and the kids.