NEWSLETTERS  FROM  DIAFANI, COMMUNITY OF OLYMBOS

 from the  Diafani  A to Z   list  of  the website  WELCOME  TO  DIAFANI  (www.diafani.com)



The newsletter, written and sent out two to four times per year, gives news of the latest events and practical information about the traditional Greek seaside village of Diafani. Diafani is also the port which serves Northern Karpathos. Diafani is part of the community of Olymbos, on the island of Karpathos, in the Dodecanese group of islands of the South-Aegean region of Greece.
Diafani is for ecotourism and stress free holidays, with local traditions and genuine hospitality.

The newsletter, written by Margarita, author of this website "WELCOME TO DIAFANI" (www.diafani.com), is sent by e-mail to all the regular visitors on the "Friends of Diafani" list and can be sent to anybody who requests it.
Contact Margarita's husband at margarita@diafani.com
Margarita's husband, Claude, is keeping the site WELCOME TO DIAFANI and the newsletter going, after Margarita, his beloved wife, died on April 1st 2014.


Consult below, in reverse chronological order, all the newsletters, 
or, for a shortcut, click on the code number of your choice : 

L27 NEWSLETTER  TRANSPORT, NEW MAYOR and SUMMER FESTIVALS 2014
L26 NEWSFLASH TRANSPORT and GREEK EASTER 2014
L25 WINTER 2013 NEWSLETTER FROM DIAFANI
L24 NEWS FROM DIAFANI SUMMER 2013 TRAVEL INFORMATION
L23 NEWS FROM DIAFANI GREEK EASTER 2013, SPRING FLOWERS and QUIZ
L22 NEWSLETTER GREETINGS WINTER 2012
L21 MAY 2012 NEWSLETTER IN ABSENCE
L20 DIAFANI WINTER 2011 NEWS and GREETINGS
L19 NEWSFLASH TRANSPORT and DIAFANI NEWS - SUMMER 2011
L18 2011 EASTER and NEWS FROM DIAFANI
L17 NEWS FROM DIAFANI ELECTION UPDATE 2010
L16 NEWS FROM DIAFANI NOVEMBER 2010
L15 NEWS UPDATE FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2010
L14 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MAI 2010
L13 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MARCH 2010
L12 NEWS FROM DIAFANI NOVEMBER 2009
L11 NEWS FROM DIAFANI JULY 2009
L10 NEWS FROM DIAFANI DECEMBER 2008
L09 NEWS FROM DIAFANI AUTUMN 2008
L08 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MAY 2008
L07 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MARCH 2008
L06 NEWS FROM DIAFANI AUTUMN 2007
L05 NEWS FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2007
L04 WINTER NEWS FROM DIAFANI NOVEMBER 2006
L03 SAD NEWS FROM DIAFANI MIXAILI SEPT 1st 2006
L02 MORE NEWS FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2006
L01 NEWS FROM DIAFANI EASTER 2006









L27   NEWSLETTER  TRANSPORT (sea, road), NEW MAYOR and SUMMER FESTIVALS 2014

August 8th 2014   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
     http://www.diafani.com/
 
 
Dear Friends of Diafani,
 
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the “Friends of Diafani” list.
As a protection for you all, each person always receives the newsletters with only  “Diafani Friends”  email address visible.
We hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list  please contact us (margarita@diafani.com).
 
 
NEWSLETTER  TRANSPORT (sea, road), NEW MAYOR and SUMMER FESTIVALS 2014
   
TRANSPORT FACILITIES FROM PIGADIA TO DIAFANI (and back)  
 
BOATS, SHIPS 
 
This year there is no "Community boat" supported by the E.U., to link Diafani to Pigadia (it used to leave Diafani at 8.00, departing from Pigadia at 15.00 back to Diafani).
The community of Diafani/Olymbos is trying to finance one boat, or a replacement by a bus, but it has not been yet financially and technically possible, as the public finance (including E.U. subventions) are now managed for the whole island, with one and only Mayor and Council  in Pigadia (see below, new Mayor) .  
 
But during the season (May to September ?) there are three "Tourists boats", at least one of them each day, the three of them coming almost everyday; you can buy tickets on board or in tourists agencies ("Nikos Orfanos Travel" in Diafani).  
All leaving at 08.30 from Pigadia and departing at 16.00 from Diafani, back to Pigadia.
The price per person is 10€ one way, 20€ with return and if you want to do the excursion to Olymbos, it is 20€ more (buses leaving Diafani between 10.00 and 11.00 and back on time for the boat).
The “Chrisovalandou”  belongs to Fotini Protopappa, an exceptional woman, the “Costantinos” belongs to Ilias A. Lambros (the new Mayor for Karpathos island - see below) but the captain is Karella, from Diafani, and finally “Kaptain Nikolas” belongs to Antoni Protopappa (brother in law of Fotini).
 
There are also the ferryboats stopping at KARPATHOS (= Pigadia) and DIAFANI, but of course not every day. For these, you have to consult the time table from the A to Z section of our website WELCOME TO DIAFANI ( www.diafani.com  ) or with this direct link to the GTP site http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp .  
Be careful, the name to give for the search in this GTP site is not Pigadia: it is KARPATHOS, the same name as the island itself. It might be very confusing, especially when you arrive at Diafani and you are told it is (on) Karpathos. If you forget and type Pigadia you will have to indicate which one (KAH), as there are several ones in Greece.
 
The ferry boats are coming or going from and to Piraeus, Rhodes and Crete, and some don't stop in Diafani, only in Karpathos (=Pigadia). Be aware that the routes, times, days and availability often change, so check on site or ask the port police, the travel agents and also, in Diafani, Anna who owns the one traditional kafeneion, or Nikos (Orfanos Travel) who sells the boat tickets.
 
 
BUSES
 
There is a return bus programmed from Pigadia to Olymbos and Diafani on Tuesdays and Saturdays mornings: there is a panel at the main Coach Station in Pigadia with the time table. There also is a phone number for information, where they probably speak English (+30 22450 22338).  
I don't know if the timetable has been changed, but the picture at the link  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=352526768209286&set=pb.344445612350735.-2207520000.1394813677.&type=3&theater is this panel at the main Coach Station in Pigadia.
The problem is that the bus to Olymbos and Diafani does not leave unless there are enough people (at least six), and this has happened many times. When in Diafani end of June, the bus came several times with small tourists group on board so, it works, at least during the high season (July, August).
 
RENTED VEHICLES
 
The road from Pigadia to Olymbos and Diafani is now entirely asphalted and is quite good apart some narrow curves and sometimes stones on the road, fallen from the cliffs. It takes less than two hours from Diafani to Pigadia, even if you stop a few times to admire the panorama and make superb pictures.
Renting a car or a motorbike in Pigadia to go to Olymbos and Diafani has become more and more popular, especially as the taxis are still very expensive and can represent two to four days renting (one way, Karpathos airport to Diafani, up to 120€). 
At least four car renters are available in Pigadia, among which Visa and Hertz. It even might be possible to rent from Diafani through "Nikos Orfanos Travel".
 
 
NEW MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR KARPATHOS  
 
Until 2010 the community of Olymbos-Diafani was "governed" by a Mayor (Proedros) elected by the local people. Since November 2010 a new law has replaced this "self government" by one Mayor (Dimarkos) for the whole of the island of Karpathos, and a council with representatives from the different communities of the island. In Greece, until November 2010 local elections where held every 4 years, and as of May 2014 they will be held every 5 years, but the newly elected Mayor and council will be in charge as of the month of September.
So the new Mayor and council elected on May 18th 2014 will be in charge in September.
 
For the island of Karpathos the new Mayor (Dimarkos) is Ilias A. Lambros, a chemist who holds a pharmacy in Pigadia and whose late father was the doctor on the island over 72 years ago, during and after the war WWII: the good news is that Ilias A. Lambros has a strong maternal connexion with Olymbos. The representatives for Olymbos-Diafani are people that some of us, Friends of Diafani, know very well: Yorgos Protopappa, captain of the excursion boat "Kapitanio Manolis" and Dinos Protopapa, former vice mayor for Diafani-Olymbos and son of late Mayor Mikailis, will be sitting at the Council committee in Pigadia (when it is on), and the local correspondents are Ioannis Makrimanolis who works with the FOREAS and the SILLOGOS, Marina Protopappa wife of Nikos, taxi driver, and Nikos Lendakis, in building business.
 
 
SUMMER FESTIVALS
 
There are several festivals during summer, which you can look up in the DIAFANI A to Z section of the WELCOME TO DIAFANI site  (  www.diafani.com ), under Church festivals.
 
But if you are there for the the Assumption on the  15th of August -  don't miss the second most important festival of the year (after Easter!) 
 
This is the most colourful and popular festival for all visitors and local Greeks living away from Diafani the rest of the year.
The church service begins around 8 a.m. and ends around 11 a.m. both in Diafani and in the hilltop church of Olymbos. The service in Diafani is quiet but in Olymbos there is always a huge crowd milling around inside and outside the church.
After the church service a feast is served to all comers in the church hall of Olymbos. The local musicians may begin to play during the meal or later, around 4.30 in the afternoon on the square in front of the church.
The dancing will begin slowly around 5 or 6 o'clock in the afternoon gradually building momentum and will go on to the early hours of the next morning.
Most of the girls and women attending this festival will be wearing the unique beautiful and colourful traditional costume and gold jewellery.

Not to be missed !
 
And if you are still there, don't miss either the biblical festival of Agios Ioannis on 28th / 29th August   (Festival of St John) in Vroukounda. Look for it on the WELCOME TO DIAFANI website ( www.diafani.com )  in the DIAFANI A to Z section, under Church festivals.
 
 
IN MEMORIAM
 
It is the first time I am writing this Newsletter to the Friends of Diafani since Margarita died on April 1st. My wife Margarita is the soul of the site WELCOME TO DIAFANI and of all the Newsletters, and for Margarita's sake I will try to continue her work and action for the people of Diafani-Olymbos and the Friends of Diafani, whom she loved.
May God bless her.
 
Have a nice stay in Diafani, Olymbos, Karpathos
Best regards,
 
Claude, Margarita's husband. 



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L26   NEWSFLASH TRANSPORT and GREEK EASTER 2014

March 5th 2014   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
     http://www.diafani.com/


Dear Friends of Diafani,

You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

NB
You can read previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list : ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)



NEWSFLASH  TRANSPORT and GREEK EASTER 2014

The good news is that the Ferry Schedule has just been confirmed .
You can consult this on:   http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp
 
Although the Ferry for Karpathos does stop in Crete on some of the days of its Schedule I would advise those of you who plan to arrive this year to book your journey through Rhodes.
 
Unfortunately money has not yet been found to re-install the "Community Boat" service.
 
In my  Newsletters I have often written about the wonderful time around Greek Orthodox Easter and encouraged you to come to Diafani to experience the many ceremonies and festivities of this interesting and most important time for the village.
It seems that this year maybe I will not be able to share all of that with you and the local people as unfortunately I have to go back into hospital.
I do hope that those of you who have chosen to be in Diafani for Easter will have a wonderful time. KALO PASXA !
 
Very best regards,
Margarita

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L25   WINTER NEWSLETTER FROM DIAFANI

November 2013   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
     http://www.diafani.com/


Dear Friends of Diafani,

You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

NB
You can read previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list : ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)


 
This Newsletter will be longer than usual but I hope you will have time during this winter to read all the news and plan your return to Diafani for 2014 !
The various topics below are : Weather, Events, Transport,  Diafani Associations and Organisations,  Ecology,  new websites,  Winter Festivals, Papas Minas.
 
 
 
TOURISM and WEATHER  
 
This year there were fewer of the regular "Friends of Diafani" but the local people were very happy to see those of you who came back to the village and to receive greetings from those of you who could not return this year.
 
There have been more Greek visitors this year (probably because, due to the financial crisis, it was too expensive for them to travel abroad ). Also now that the road is completely surfaced from the south of Karpathos up to Diafani there have been some day visitors coming to Diafani for Sunday lunch.
 
This year there have also been a few Russian visitors coming to visit Olymbos and Diafani but nothing compared to the mass of Russian tourists who now go to the big "all inclusive" hotels in Pigadia and Rhodes.
 
It seems that certain travel agencies in Norway and Finland are now recommending Diafani to those people who like to walk the countryside paths and get away from the usual tourist traps. We have met some charming people from these two countries.
 
Down in Pigadia at the end of October we found most of the tourist shops and restaurants closing for the winter because the last charters had flown away. A sign of the financial crisis is also the number of shops which have completely closed down. There is however one beautiful new shop in Pigadia: pure local olive oïl and other 100% pure Karpathian Products. 
 
Up in Olymbos the street leading to the church was almost deserted too. It was like a trip to the past times to see the old village of Olymbos almost free of tourist shops !
There is still no doctor in Olymbos but one new and very welcome addition to Olymbos is that there is now a modern Pharmacy there. The pharmacy is situated just before the main arrival and parking place. This much needed pharmacy will be a great help to the inhabitants of Olymbos and Diafani and also for the visitors.  
 
As in the rest of Europe the weather has been very unsettled. Blue skies and sea then violent storms and rain. Now in November the sun is at the hottest around 13h (1pm). Some people swim at that time but there is a cold wind in the shade and, with the winter change for the clocks to go back, it begins to get dark around 17h (5pm).
  
The heavy rains were however very welcome for the fields and olive trees. The countryside in and around Diafani has become beautifully green again and the water reserve is well stocked for your return !
 
 
JOURNALIST FINLAND  
 
Some weeks ago a journalist from Finland found my website for Diafani and contacted me with a list of questions to help him to write an article for a well known magazine in Finland. The questions were very detailed as he had only spent one day and night in Diafani !!  At first I was hesitant to do the research for him to then claim it as his own work but finally I answered all his questions in the hope that it will encourage new visitors from Finland. He told me it will only be printed in Finnish but if you are in Finland and see the article please let me know what you think about it.
 
 
GABRIELLA'S COOKING CLASSES
 
These have been an interesting event for an "out of the high season" activity.
A small group of friends from Finland spending their holidays together in Diafani had a very successful day in Gabriella's Cooking Classes. The 3 women and 2 men proudly put on the big aprons Gabriella distributed and then learnt to make a full menu of different Mediterranean specialities. When completed they sat down together to eat and thoroughly enjoyed what they had learnt to make.
 
See her tri-lingual website : www.gorgonakarpathos.it
 
 
 
 
MEMORIAL VISIT FOR 1943 HISTORICAL EVENT IN DIAFANI    
 
Some time ago an Australian woman contacted me after finding my website for Diafani. She had been hoping for many years to trace the place and people who saved her father's life during WW2 when he with 3 fellow airmen officers were shot down in the bay of Diafani.  After research I was able to trace and put her into contact with the son of the doctor who treated both her father and the other two survivors of the crash.
 
It was of course very difficult to find any participants of the 1943 rescue boats but I found many of the  people of Diafani who remembered the plane crash and the boats that went out to rescue the airmen from the sea. They were able to tell what they remembered of this dramatic event and the dangerous days which followed.
 
Finally a visit of the daughter was organised and it was a very emotional time for everybody. The son of the doctor and the Australian lady were subsequently interviewed on Greek television ...and we all three also spoke on Radio Olymbos !
 
 
THE DIAFANI SILLOGOS "REBIRTH"     
                                                                                                      
The Sillogos is a non political association of the inhabitants of Diafani. The aim of this association is the preservation of the cultural traditions and the conservation and improvement of the environment.
Would you like to have your own tree in Diafani  ? !
 
NB  Please read the full text which I will send separately.
Or consult SILLOGOS  from the  Diafani  A to Z   list  of  the  WELCOME  TO  DIAFANI  website.
   
   
 
 
RUMOURS ABOUT TRANSPORT  !!!
 
There has been much talk, mostly only rumours, about the Ferry Line cutting out its stops in Diafani and the "Community Boat/Shopping Boat" stopping its service altogether !
 
The Ferry Line threat has  been dealt with until February/March the ship will continue to stop in Diafani on Tuesdays on its way from Piraeus to Rhodes and on Thursdays on its way from Rhodes to Piraeus.
Moves are being made to insist on this service continuing throughout the year. Although it is clear there is a severe financial difficulty the money must somehow be found to do so. 
 
The captain of the XANIA "Community Boat"  said "YASSAS" at the end of October and went back to Crete. A last minute solution put Spiro (captain of the Chrisovalandou III) in his place but this has now stopped ...the tenders will be received in February/March and a decision made whether to continue or not this service ! 
 
It is evident that many of the local people do not have the possibility to drive up and down to Pigadia if they need to go to the bank, doctor etc. and of course the necessary service these boats supply for the visitors !
 
In addition to this Olympic Airways was rumoured to be stopping its service to Karpathos, leaving only the May to September charters flying in ! However Olympic has finally got permission from the Board which prevented monopoly deals and  now joined with Aegean. This should put their business on a stronger financial basis and they will be able to continue to run some island services at a small loss.
  
All this to explain why you may have difficulty getting any schedule information but PLEASE DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED FROM COMING BACK TO DIAFANI.  Book your flights and every effort will be made to get you quickly to Diafani !
I will let you know as soon as I get any confirmed schedules.
 
 
THE FOREAS  
 
The Foreas is the Greek name for the European Organisation for the Ecological Protection and Development of the Environment.      
 
The Greek Headquarters are in Athens and the Branch Office (called "Management Development Agency") for Northern Karpathos and Saria is situated in Diafani.
 
NB  Please read the full text which I will send separately.
Or consult FOREAS  from the  Diafani  A to Z   list  of  the  WELCOME  TO  DIAFANI  website.
 
 
 
STOP PRESS NEWS !    
A baby Monk Seal has just been born and the birth was recorded by the Foreas camera installed in the area !
This is of course very good news as it is essential that this highly endangered species continues to be so well protected by the Diafani Foreas group.
 
     
THE EUROPEAN BIRD WATCHING EVENT 
 
This year the European Ornithological Association celebrated their 20 years of  "Birdwatch Day ".
On October 5, in conjunction with this Association the Foreas in Diafani organised the day in Avlona for recognising and observing the birds.
There are many birds, some very special, which nest and raise their young in this protected area of Northern Karpathos and also many which use this region  for their annual "stop-over"  in their migration.  
See the Greek Ornithological website: www.ornithologiki.gr
Please also read the "Foreas" text sent separately.
Or consult FOREAS  from the  Diafani  A to Z   list  of  the  WELCOME  TO  DIAFANI  website.
 
 
KARPATHIA FISSI    
 
Another important ecological event is the very impressive photographing and cataloguing by a local man, Minas Agapios, of all the plants recorded month by month, some only found in this region of Northern Karpathos.
The author of this extremely well researched and presented work has unfortunately not yet found an editor so he has generously made some of this information available to everybody who can access this via the internet.
 
 
SUNKEN BOAT FROM GEORGIA      
 
A less positive event for the protected region of Northern Karpathos and Saria was the sinking a few days ago of a small boat during the night just near the caves of the very endangered Monk Seals. The crew of 5 (presumed to be from Georgia/Russia) were lifted off by helicopter and flown to Rhodes but no trace was found of the captain. It seems that for the moment there has not been any problem of pollution from this boat. 
Please also read the "Foreas" text sent separately
Or consult FOREAS  from the  Diafani  A to Z   list  of  the  WELCOME  TO  DIAFANI  website.
 
 
SATURDAY NIGHT EVENT IN DIAFANI  !                             
 
The Sillogos of Diafani is organising lessons every Saturday evening throughout the winter for the children of Diafani-Olymbos to learn the traditional dances and Mantinades songs. 
The lessons are given with great care and devotion by the leading musician of this community and he is joined by two other well known local musicians to make up the traditional group of three instruments. 
It is wonderful to see that some of the local boys are learning to play the traditional musical instruments and the children of all ages join together to form the circle and learn the steps of the dance enjoyed in all the festivals.
Please read the "Sillogos" text sent separately
Or consult SILLOGOS  from the  Diafani  A to Z   list  of  the  WELCOME  TO  DIAFANI  website.
 
 
FESTIVAL EVENTS               
 
In the last months of the year there are many local festivals. Although at this time of the year there will be mainly local people at these festivals any visitors will be made welcome. Some dates for example :    
 
November 1   - There is a small and charming celebration in the little chapel above the bay of Vananda
November 8   - The festival to celebrate the Archangels Mixaili and Gabriel. This is an overnight festival. Small boats will leave Diafani on the 7th going to Tristomo to prepare the ceremony and sleep there waiting for the festival and then return to Diafani. There is also a festival in the big new church on the surfaced road not far from Olymbos.
November 11 - The festival of Ayios Minas in the church above the bay of the same name. Also often overnight.
December 24+31 - The traditional festival of "Ta Kalanda".  Some children and adults will go around the village stopping at the houses to sing traditional "Carols" They will receive sweets and gifts of money from the various householders (the money is given to support the local Sillogos for the Community of Diafani or the school Sillogos to pay for special excursions etc for the children) 
There are many traditions and celebrations on the first day of January. This is the Feast day of Ayios Basili.  
In Greece the children do not receive gifts from "Santa Claus" but from Ayios Basili.
See also other festivals throughout the year in the A to Z list  of my website : www.diafani.com 
 
 
PAPAS MINAS    At the time of writing, Papas Minas has not yet returned from his visit to the doctor in Athens.
I am sure that those of you who know this truly wonderful man will join me to wish him good health and a return to Diafani soon.
 
And to all a KALO HEIMONA  !
Very best regards,
Margarita

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L24   DIAFANI NEWSLETTER :  SUMMER TRAVEL INFORMATION

Diafani June 2013   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
     http://www.diafani.com/


Dear Friends of Diafani,

You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

NB
You can read previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list : ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)


SUMMER TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR DIAFANI
 
The season began slowly this year and schedules were not confirmed until late in May.
This was partly due to the Ferry Ship ( "Prevelis" ) having to return to Piraeus for work on the engines and its usual preparation for the summer season. The Tourist Boat ( "Chrisovalantou" ) also started its schedule much later than usual because there were very few tourists until mid May charters began. However the Community Boat  ("Xania" ) has generally maintained its schedule throughout the year.
A bus link between Pigadia and Diafani has been advertised but has not yet begun.
 
 
FERRY SHIP and LOCAL BOATS SCHEDULES ( Weather permitting ) 
 

PIRAEUS TO DIAFANI ( FERRY SHIP  "PREVELIS" )
 
The ship leaves Piraeus every Monday at 18h00 (six in the evening ), stopping at Santorini, Anafi, Kassos, Karpathos-Pigadia  and arriving in Diafani on Tuesdays at 13h15 (15 minutes past one in the afternoon) and then leaves at 13h30 (half past one in the afternoon) and continues on to Rodos, arriving there at 17h50.
 
 
RODOS TO DIAFANI ( FERRY SHIP "PREVELIS" )
 
The ship leaves Rodos every Thursday morning at 9h , stopping at Halki and arriving in Diafani at 13h15 (quarter past one in the afternoon)  then goes to Pigadia arriving around 14h30, leaving at 15h15 and continues onwards via Kassos, Anafi, Santorini  to arrive in Piraeus at 08h00 on Friday morning.

For last minute confirmation of this information or for information of Ferry ships calling only at the port of Karpathos-Pigadia please see the website GTP (Greek Travel Pages)
 
TOURIST BOAT ("CHRISOVALANTOU") FROM PIGADIA - DIAFANI - PIGADIA  (weather permitting):
 
The Tourist Boat ( "Chrisovalantou" ) leaves Pigadia every morning at 8h30 and arrives on the small port in Diafani at 10h. This boat generally transports mostly excursion groups who pay for a two way trip including lunch in Olymbos.The price for a one way trip is ten euros.
 
This year the Chrisovalantou runs a "Saturday Night Special" trip from Pigadia to Diafani to go up to dinner in Olymbos and watch the sunset before leaving Diafani around 9 in the evening to return to Pigadia.
 
 
COMMUNITY BOAT ("XANIA")  DIAFANI - PIGADIA - DIAFANI (weather permitting):
 
The "Community Boat" (Xania) leaves from the main port in Diafani at 8h in the morning 4 times a week ( Mondays+Tuesdays then on Thursdays and Fridays) it arrives in Pigadia around 9h then leaves again at 15h (3h in the afternoon) to return to Diafani around 17h. The price of a one way ticket is 3 euros per person. No charge for transporting your luggage.
 
 
NB 
The Captain of the smaller Chrisovalandou which in former years was the Community Boat is now based in Pigadia with a new white boat "Captain Nicolas". The schedule for this boat is not yet officially confirmed but weather and number of passengers permitting this boat comes up to Diafani leaving Pigadia at 8h 30 in the morning, docking at the main port in Diafani at around 10h. The boat leaves Diafani from the Port at 4h30 to return to Pigadia around 18h (6h in the evening). On some days the "Captain Nicolas" continues from Diafani to the nearby island of Saria before returning via Diafani to Pigadia.
Please check this information on the port in Pigadia or in Diafani with the Captain's sister Maria in her restaurant (To Kyma )  situated on the way to the port in Diafani.
 
Hoping to see you in Diafani !
Best regards,
Margarita

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L23   DIAFANI NEWSLETTER :  GREEK EASTER, SPRING FLOWERS and QUIZ

February 2013   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
     http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,

You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

NB
You can read previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list : ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)


GREEK EASTER - SPRING FLOWERS and QUIZ
 
 
GREEK ORTHODOX EASTER  :
 
As I have said in previous Newsletters one of the best times to visit Diafani is during the wonderful Greek Orthodox Easter. This is a very special time to be in the village.
Whether you are religious or not you will be very welcome and you will experience the community traditions leading up to the joy and celebrations of Easter Saturday night and Easter Sunday. (see my Diafani website A to Z "Church Festivals" )
This year Greek Easter week begins on the 28th of April leading up to Greek Easter Sunday on the 5th May. Hoping to see you there !
 
SPRING FLOWERS :
 
As Greek Easter is much later this year the weather should be pleasantly sunny for walking in the beautiful countryside around Diafani and seeing all the wild flowers of the season.
If you are a regular visitor to Diafani in the summer months you will hardly recognise some of the paths covered with greenery and flowers. Not to be missed !
 
 
QUIZ for the regular visitors to Diafani !
 
Somebody has sent me a brochure for an 8 day cruise in the Dodecanese in May/June on a luxury two mast sailing ship - visiting on day 6 DIAFANI !
 
I enclose below the text describing this visit. How many mistakes can you find ?
 
"On day six the ship will dock in the port of Diafani, principle town of the island of Karpathos. Possibility to swim before the BBQ lunch served on board the sun deck (weather permitting). Departure for excursion to Diafani and Olymbos. The principle curiosity of the fishermen village of Diafani is the church and its dome of red tiles. Olymbos, perched on the summit of mount Profitis Ilias, is situated 7km from Diafani. In the 15th century it served as a refuge from frequent attacks by pirates. The inhabitants remain very attached to traditions and customs. Return on board for dinner. Depart early morning of day 7."   
 
 
Best regards to you all and hoping to see you in Diafani soon,
  
Margarita
 

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L22   NEWSLETTER GREETINGS WINTER 2012

December 2012   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,

You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

NB
You can read previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list : ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)


NEWSLETTER GREETINGS WINTER 2012:

2012 was a disasterous year for Greece but those of you who did go to Diafani this year found the village peaceful and welcoming to all regular and new visitors.

2012 was not a good year for France - nor for us.
A lot of problems and my three months hospitalisation prevented us from going to Diafani this year.
Many thanks to all of you who so kindly sent me news of the village and photos of your holidays there.
We are now much better and I hope that next time I write to you it will be from Diafani !

Meanwhile very best wishes to you all for a KALA XRISTOUYENNA 2012 and a very KALI XRONIA 2013,

Margarita

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L21     2012 NEWSLETTER IN ABSENCE

May 2012   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,

You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

NB
You can read previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list : ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)


2012 NEWSLETTER IN ABSENCE

As I said in my New Year Newsletter to you all, 2011 was mainly a bad year for many people. My husband has fully recovered but a continuous flood of problems made it impossible to return to Diafani this spring.

I was very sad not to be in Diafani to attend the wonderful ceremonies and festivals of Easter time there.
A very good and thoughtful friend kindly sent me news and photographs so I was less sad and felt I could share the high spots of those days.

If any of you were able to be in Diafani during the festival of May 1stin Avlona, I would be very pleased to hear about it. Please check the website www.diafani.com A to Z list for “Festivals” or “Church festivals” and let me know if you have any suggestions to add there.

During an absence from my computer my mailbox decided to close itself down. If you have e-mailed me and have not received a reply or if your mail to me was returned to you, please resend your message to me.
At this time of the year I am normally submerged by requests for information to help people plan their holidays in Diafani.
All I can tell you for the moment is that the Greek minister for tourism realises how very important it is to encourage you to come/return to Greece. However at the moment the Greek government is not settled and their can be no guarantee that the strikes will not start again.

If I have any information concerning transports, both domestic and local, I will do my best to let you know.
One thing is certain, if you do get to Diafani you will receive the traditional warm welcome and find Diafani far from the protest marches etc. … in fact you will find Diafani as beautiful and restful as always.

Happy holidays in Diafani,
Margarita

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L20 DIAFANI WINTER 2011 NEWS and GREETINGS

December 2011   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.
 
NB
You can read this and previous Newsletters in the Diafani website A to Z list ; ( Click on the letter N at top of A to Z list for shortcut to Newsletters)
 
 
DIAFANI WINTER NEWS and GREETINGS TO YOU ALL
  
The year 2011 has been a year of world turmoil, protests and strikes.
Despite the desperate situation in Greece the village of Diafani remained calm and welcoming to visitors.  However the community of Olymbos-Diafani did suffer from a decrease in tourism.
Apart from the usual busy month of August there were fewer visitors in May-June and September-October. The events and scenes in Athens shown on European televisions prevented some regular and potential visitors from spending their holidays in Diafani. Many people sent me messages saying they had  cancelled their plans because they were afraid to have transport problems getting to or from Diafani.
 
This year has also not been good for my husband and me. For health reasons we had to leave Diafani at the end of June and then an avalanche of other problems prevented us from returning to Diafani for our usual September-November stay.
 
Fortunately good friends in Diafani kept me up to date with all the local news :
 
Many local people who now live and work in Rhodes, Athens, America, came home in August to spend their holidays with their families, re-opening the otherwise empty houses in Diafani and Olymbos and bringing their more modern way of life to their traditional village. Some of them came back again in autumn for the quieter more traditional harvesting of the olives and general agriculture work essential for all the families.
 
Mid August-September the enforcing of European regulations created some problems in Diafani as some restaurants in the village and some of the tourist boats from Pigadia did not have the necessary permits and were obliged to close until the permits were issued.
 
On the weekend of November 12th a huge 48 hour storm sent big waves crashing onto the village beach and stone jetty, pushing the pebbles from the beach onto the village streets. The weather is milder now and perfect for walking in the lovely countryside around Diafani, Avlona and Olymbos.
 
Many of you know Roger "Jinks" Jinkinson, author of the "Tales from a Greek village". He has written two very interesting articles about the effects of the economic crisis on the community of Diafani-Olymbos. To see them go to the "BBC news" website and search Roger Jinkinson (articles August 24 and September 28).
 
I hope to return to Diafani early in the spring, in time for the wonderful traditions and celebrations of Orthodox Easter, and the countryside around Diafani which in spring is covered with wild flowers.
I will report then about the progress of the road and send you the up to date Ferry-Ship and local transport information.
 
Until then I wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 , full of good health, happiness, prosperity, and holidays in Diafani.
 
Best regards,
Margarita

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L19 NEWSFLASH TRANSPORT and DIAFANI NEWS - SUMMER 2011

2011 SUMMER NEWSFLASH TRANSPORT and DIAFANI NEWS

Diafani June 27th 2011   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.


SUMMER 2011 TRANSPORT INFORMATION

FERRY SHIP

The Ferry Ship schedule is now confirmed as described in the Easter 2011 Newsletter : the Ferry-Ship which comes to Diafani this year is the "PREVELIS". It stops in Diafani one time a week on its route from Piraeus to Rhodes (Thursdays around 13h ) then one time again on its route from Rhodes back to Piraeus (Sundays around 12h )
The Prevelis stops 3 times per week in Pigadia-Karpathos on its route from Piraeus to Rhodes : Tuesdays 09h10, Thursdays 11h50 (via Diafani), Saturdays 22h40.
The Prevelis also stops 3 times per week in Pigadia-Karpathos on its route from Rhodes to Piraeus : Tuesdays 20h10, Thursdays 23h40, Sundays 13h05 (via Diafani)
(see Ferry-Ship Info at www.gtpnet.com).

THE COMMUNITY BOAT and THE TOURIST BOAT

The new "community shopping boat" the "Rafaella" has a small change of schedule. It leaves Diafani at 07h every TUESDAY morning to arrive in time for the people to catch the Ferry which goes directly from Pigadia to Rhodes without stopping in Diafani. (see Ferry information above)
On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays it follows the normal schedule : departure from Diafani at 08h and arriving in Pigadia around 09h45 and leaving Pigadia at 15h to arrive back in Diafani around 16h45.
The Chrisovalandou III (the "Tourist Boat") has now started its daily excursion visits to Olymbos. It leaves from Karpathos-Pigadia around 8h30 to arrive in Diafani around 10h and leaves Diafani around 16h15 (4.15 pm) to return to Pigadia around 18h (6pm).
On Tuesdays this schedule helps the people who need to catch the Ferry Ship "Prevelis" which arrives in the evening directly from Rhodes, without stopping in Diafani, on its way to Piraeus (see Ferry information above).
Both these boats can provide the necessary link with the Prevelis Ferry schedule to and from Pigadia-Karpathos which includes stops in Crete but not in Diafani this year.
(see Ferry-Ship Info at www.gtpnet.com).

BUS SERVICE PIGADIA-KARPATHOS to and from OLYMBOS and DIAFANI !

A schedule was posted last month in the bus station in Pigadia-Karpathos announcing a bus service 3 times a week from Pigadia to Olymbos and Diafani.
Until recently there have not been enough passengers for the company to operate this service as planned but THE FIRST BUS ARRIVED TODAY !
The service announced is : Monday, Wednesday, Friday leaving Pigadia at around 09h and arriving in Olymbos around 11h30. It comes down to Diafani around 14h (2pm) and leaves around 15h (3pm) to return to Pigadia around 16h30 (4.30pm).
The fare one way is 7.50 euros per person (15 euros for the round trip).
During the high summer season there are probably enough passengers for the driver to make the trip 3 times per week but please check at the bus station in Pigadia.
See the Easter 2011 Newsletter for all the other practical information concerning the road and what you need to bring with you for your stay in Diafani.
(Diafani website A to Z and then click on N for Newsletter L18)


OTHER NEWS

ECOLOGY

The "Management Agency of Karpathos and Saria" are moving to a new building on the sea front of Diafani, opposite the kiosk.
The Management Agency in Diafani is a team of six people who, under the control of an official committee, work to protect the areas of Northern Karpathos and Saria which were designated as protected areas by the European programme Natura 2000.
The original exhibits of the "MOm" (the society which had for some years an office in Diafani for the protection of the endangered Monk Seals) have now been moved by the Management team into their new building. There is also a beautiful display of posters and information concerning the wild flowers, birds and animals you can see around Diafani, many of which are unique to Karpathos.
There is also a very instructive leaflet describing the 12 principal hiking paths. You can obtain this free leaflet in the new Management Agency building.
You can also visit their website for information : www.fdkarpathos.gr
(in Greek. Home Page in English, texts in English coming soon)
There is also another website with an ecological theme and very interesting information about Olymbos-Diafani : www.ecoislands.gr

GREECE !

Many of you may have seen on television scenes of strikes and protest marches in Athens and Salonica. Don’t hesitate to come to Diafani where you can still enjoy the traditional hospitality and calm holidays.

Kalo Kalokairi !

Hoping to see you again in Diafani this year,
Margarita

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2011 EASTER and NEWS FROM DIAFANI

Diafani April-May 2011   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/


Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that some of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.


EASTER FESTIVITIES - WEATHER - FERRY SHIP - ROAD - PRACTICAL INFORMATION - NEWS


EASTER TRADITIONS AND FESTIVITIES

Greetings to you all from Diafani where the Orthodox Easter holidays and celebrations are still going on (see Diafani website A to Z "Church festivals"). Easter is the most important time of the year and most of the local people who now live in Rhodes or Athens come home to enjoy the wonderful celebrations in their village. Not to be missed - do try to come for this next year !


WEATHER

While the rest of Europe has been enjoying record breaking sunny days the weather here has been exceptionally cool and grey but the countryside of Diafani, Avlona and Olymbos is bright green and there are flowers everywhere. There was a lot of "good" rain during the winter, long days of soft rain which soaked deep into the earth which promises good harvests this year (and plenty of water for the summer visitors !)


FERRY SHIP INFORMATION

The Ferry-Ship which comes to Diafani this year is the "PREVELIS" . It calls at Diafani on Thursdays around 13h on its route from Piraeus to Rhodes then again on Sundays around 12h on its route from Rhodes back to Piraeus (see Ferry-Ship Info at --->  www.gtpnet.com).


THE ROAD and OTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATION

The road from Spoa to Olymbos is now almost totally paved. There is one small place which needs more work and sometimes places where there has been recent small rockfall but everybody says it is now much easier and quicker to drive between Diafani and Pigadia.

The cash machine has not been reinstalled in Diafani but one or two of the hotels and restaurants will perhaps accept Master/Visa cards for payment this year. They all accept cash !
The small Chrisovalandou II (the community "shopping boat") has unfortunately lost the contract and has been replaced by a captain and boat from Crete.
This boat (the "Rafaella") follows the same programme of four trips per week leaving Diafani every Monday,Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 08h and arriving in Pigadia around 09h45 and leaving Pigadia at 15h to arrive back in Diafani around 16h45.
Feelings about this boat are rather mixed. Most of the local people regret losing the Chrisovalandou boat and especially Captain Andony but the service is really essential for people who do not drive and who need to go to the bank, or see the doctor/dentist or shop in the big supermarkets etc.

The big Chrisovalandou III (the "Tourist Boat") has not yet started its daily excursion trips from Pigadia so for the moment Diafani and Olymbos are quiet with just a few visitors for Easter and the occasional group of walkers.
This boat is in Rhodes and will come back to Karpathos soon. It will probably begin the excursion trips in May.

Many of the hotels and restaurants are now equipped to offer free WIFI service to their customers but the lines are sometimes slow or difficult as are the network services for the mobile phones. Several places on the walking paths have no connection possible.

Manolis N. Hartofilakas continues to clean, repair and mark the walking paths with love and care.
You will also see him cleaning the beaches which is an ongoing task here and we can all help by bringing back to the rubbish bins in Diafani any used plastic we take with us or find on our walks and days on the beaches. Please tell Manoli about any problems you see when you are walking these paths, (or give him encouraging congratulations for his hard work!)

The limited medical service is still a source of anxiety for some people. Do not forget to bring your own medication and first aid essentials.


OTHER NEWS

Many of you may have read the book of Diafani stories by Roger Jinkinson "Tales from a Greek Island".
A second book, "More Tales from a Greek Island" will be on sale this summer. The first book is now also available in German and soon also in Dutch.

A French couple were filming here during the Easter festivities in Olymbos and Diafani for a documentary on the life in this unique community. When the film is ready it will be shown on French television.

Many of the local hotel and restaurant owners are hoping that the present troubles in the North African and Middle East countries will encourage people to choose Greece for their holidays this year.
We do not know how this will really affect Diafani.

I have just come back from the First of May festivities in Avlona. This is another event not to be missed !
This year, after the plentiful rains of winter and early spring the countryside is a rich green everywhere and covered in the most beautiful mass of wild flowers. The local women gathered the flowers to make the traditional beautiful garlands to hang on their doors, the boats and cars while the children made garlands for their hair.


The weather is due to improve soon and the sun will then begin warming the sea for your arrival !

Hoping to see you again in Diafani this year,
Margarita

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L17 NEWS FROM DIAFANI - ELECTION UPDATE 2010

DIAFANI ELECTION UPDATE NEWS 2010

Diafani November 2010   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Please note that many of the recent messages I sent out came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

ELECTION UPDATE 
 
On the 14th of November the second round of the municipal elections took place.
See the preceding Newsletter (November 2010 ) for the explanation of why this election was so important for Diafani-Olymbos.
 
The results are now confirmed and the new Mayor (Dimarkos) for the whole of the island of Karpathos is Mr Mixail Xaniotis, a man from the south of Karpathos.
 
The good news is that Nikos Orfanos has been elected, by an impressive number of votes, to the council of the Dimarkos in Pigadia, so Diafani-Olymbos will be represented by someone working for the future of this unique community.
 
In addition to Nikos on the council there are three other local people from Diafani-Olymbos who will work in an advisory capacity. 
These three people were chosen by the local people to present the problems of the community to the council in Pigadia.
They are: Ilias Papavassilis (Rahati Cafe-Bar in Diafani), Roula Papavassili (very respected local wife of the carpenter, Roula has already contributed to the local organisations in Diafani), Nikos Xatzipapas (Blue Pizza restaurant in Olymbos).  
 
We hope that the new Mayor of Karpathos will appreciate all the many unique qualities of interest Olymbos-Diafani has for the visitors and will help to develop the kind of ecotourism suitable for this community.     
 
Hoping to see you in Diafani next year,
  
Best regards,
Margarita

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L16 NEWS FROM DIAFANI NOVEMBER 2010

Diafani November 2010   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Please note that many of the recent messages I sent out came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.

WINTER NEWS and IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR DIAFANI :

The weather towards the end of October was exceptionally cold and grey, there were very few visitors and most of the local inhabitants were away in their fields or olive groves. The village of Diafani was very quiet.
November began with beautiful sunny days and calm sea and the village began to be busy again with locals who now live in Rhodes, Athens and America all coming home for the most important municipal election for this unique community of Olymbos-Diafani.
 
On the 7th of November these municipal elections took place all over Greece. For the people of Olymbos-Diafani this new form of election was very important. Extra transport was arranged to bring the huge number of voters home.
 
Until now the community of Olymbos-Diafani has been "governed" by a Mayor (Proedros) elected by the local people.
Under the new laws this "self government" will be replaced by one Mayor(Dimarkos) for the whole of the island of Karpathos.
 
There were 4 candidates for the role of Dimarkos. Each candidate had a list of the people he would work with if elected. The village was very lively with political discussions about which of the candidates would be most beneficial for the community when Olymbos-Diafani will be grouped with the capital and all the villages of southern Karpathos.
There will be a second vote on the 14th of November between the two candidates who obtained the highest number of votes. 
 
THE ROAD and other information :
 
Many of the locals who came home were very pleased to see that the road from Olymbos to the south, after many years of waiting, is now nearing completion with several sections already surfaced.
This will make life easier for the people of Olymbos-Diafani who need to go down to the capital to see the doctor or dentist, go to the bank etc.
For visitors it will perhaps bring down the present exorbitant price of a taxi from the airport to Diafani ! And of course local business owners hope the surfaced road will encourage more visitors to Olymbos and Diafani.
 
Many of the voters had to leave immediately after the vote on the 7th and return to their work in Rhodes, Athens etc, but some stayed to celebrate with their families and friends the winter festivals  (see my website section DIAFANI A to Z  Church Festivals), or are staying for the olive harvesting which always begins after the November rains have washed the trees.
 
We hope that the new Mayor of Karpathos will appreciate all the many unique qualities of interest Olymbos-Diafani has for the visitors and will help to develop the kind of ecotourism suitable for this community.
 
Hoping to see you in Diafani next year,
 
Best regards,
Margarita

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L15 NEWS UPDATE FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2010

NEWS UPDATE FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2010

Diafani June 2010   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Please note that many of the recent messages I sent out came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.
UPDATE INFORMATION OF LAST NEWSLETTER (SPRING NEWS):
 
I had to leave Diafani and come back to Paris much sooner than planned but thanks to a good friend in Diafani I can now update the information given in the newsletter sent out to you all in May (Spring News)
 
SHIPPING INFORMATION :
 
There is a change in the schedule of the small “Chrisovalandou” (the Community Boat ) The captain continues his usual schedule for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays BUT now that the summer season has begun there is a change of schedule for FRIDAYS :
 
Departs Diafani Port at exactly 7.30 in the morning and Arrives in Pigadia Port around 8.30/9 o’clock. Departs Pigadia Port at exactly 5 o'clock in the afternoon (17h ) and Arrives back in Diafani Port around 6.30/7 in the evening (19h).
 
 
SHIPS TO DIAFANI  
 
No changes announced for the schedules given in the "Spring News"  but I have now included the ANEK "Booking on Line" link  to add to the general GTP link for ships given in my website (see How to Get Here - Ships to Diafani or ANEK Lines)
 
(!) PLEASE CHECK those shipping websites for any schedule changes
 
(!) Due to weather conditions and other possible changes  PLEASE CHECK SCHEDULE DAYS AND TIMES FOR ALL THESE SHIPS and BOATS  with Nikos Orfanos in Diafani or on the port in Pigadia.
 
AIRLINES TO KARPATHOS 
 
In my November 2009 newsletter I spoke about the state owned airline, Olympic Airways/Airlines (originally founded by Aristotle Onassis) being sold and now operating under the name "OLYMPIC AIR".
The new company began their services with new planes and greatly improved staff. However following this privatisation the originally state held lines were put up for bid to all companies.
The high-profile/profitable lines naturally received many competitive bids but some of the isolated/unprofitable areas of Greece were faced with losing their domestic air services.
A new company, "Athens Air" took over the direct line Karpathos to Athens but after a short time it suddenly closed and the passengers booked on their flights had to quickly find other transport.
Olympic who had maintained their service from Karpathos to Rhodes and from Rhodes to Athens later took up again the contract for the direct line to Athens... but check their schedules !
(see my website section How to Get Here  for on-line link to Olympic Air)
 
The volcano ash problem which closed-down all the airports throughout Europe, the bad publicity about the economic crisis and the general strikes in Greece have so far resulted in a dramatic fall in tourism. 
Diafani has remained calm while massive protests and often violent scenes have taken place in Athens and other big cities.
Do not be afraid to plan your return to Diafani !
 
 
Thanks again to more responses from many Friends of Diafani I have been able to update the list of places to stay while traveling to Diafani see the new section in the website section DIAFANI A to Z: Hotels, Rooms for Stop-Over when travelling to and from Diafani.
 
 
THE ROAD and other information :
 
Work on the road has continued and promises that the road will be surfaced and finished by the end of September/October is still hoped for! Meanwhile there are a few difficult rocky places to drive over and the cost of a taxi from the airport or from Pigadia remains between 80 and 120 euros !
 
The cash machine has NOT returned to Diafani - bring cash !
However some of the hotels now have credit card paying facilities and Nikos Orfanos is always ready to help find a solution if you can not get to the cash machines in the banks of Pigadia.
 
The summer season brings many regular visitors to Diafani to enjoy the beautiful walking paths, the crystal clear sea and pleasant evening meals in the various small local restaurants.
(see my website section DIAFANI A to Z  Eating and Drinking in Diafani)
 
The summer also brings many locals back to their home villages of Diafani and Olymbos to see their families and friends and celebrate the reunions, family weddings and various festivals with music,dance and feasting. Everybody is welcome to attend the festivals.
(see my website section DIAFANI A to Z  Church Festivals)
 
 
Hoping to be back in Diafani soon and to see you there this year,
 
Best regards,
Margarita
 

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L14 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MAI 2010

2010 SPRING NEWS FROM DIAFANI

Diafani May 2010   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning this newsletter please note that many of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.
 
SPRING NEWS:
 
Many locals came back from their second homes in Rhodes, Athens-Piraeus or even America to enjoy the Spring festivals with their families in Diafani and Olymbos  (see website A to Z Church Festivals ) but including myself there were only about six non-locals in Diafani  throughout April.
 
When the new Greek government (PASOK) came to power they launched a publicity campaign ( “Kalimera Ellada” ) to promote and increase tourism to Greece.
The recent close-down of all the airports throughout Europe, the bad publicity about the economic crisis and the general strikes in Greece have so far resulted in a dramatic fall in tourism.
 
Diafani has remained calm while massive protests and often violent scenes have taken place in Athens and other big cities.
Do not be afraid to plan your return to Diafani !
 
For good places to stay while traveling to Diafani see the new section in the website A to Z  “Hotels, Rooms for stopover” : Hotels, Rooms for Stop-Over when travelling to and from Diafani
 
 
SHIPPING INFORMATION :
 
During the strikes the Ferry-Ships for Diafani continued their schedule with very little change.
There are two ships this year (Anek Lines)
(!) “The Irapetra” leaves Piraeus on Sunday night stopping at Thira, Anafi, Kassos then Pigadia and arrives in Diafani on Monday afternoon on its way to Xalki and Rhodes.This ship then returns from Rhodes via Xalki and arrives in Diafani during the night (around 1o'clock) on its return to Piraeus.
 
(!) The second ship “The Prevalis” leaves Piraeus on Wednesday night  and follows the same route as above, arriving in Diafani on Thursday afternoon on its way to Rhodes and returns from Rhodes arriving in Diafani in the early hours of Friday (around 4o'clock) on its return to Piraeus.
 
(!) PLEASE CHECK the above information for any schedule changes
(see website How to get here - Ships to Diafani - GTP - www.gtpnet.com).
There are also some schedules which include Crete in the above route but stop in Pigadia and do NOT stop in Diafani (see LOCAL BOATS INFORMATION for connection from Pigadia). 
 
LOCAL BOATS INFORMATION:
 
The small “Chrisovalandou” (the Community Boat ) came back in April from its annual cleaning and repairs (it is now painted blue) and began its usual schedule :
(!)  Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays – Departs Diafani Port at exactly 8 o’clock and Arrives in Pigadia Port around 9.30/10 o’clock. Departs Pigadia Port at exactly 3pm (15h ) and Arrives back in Diafani Port around 5 o’clock (17h).
 
The big brown wooden “Chrisovalandou-Vassilios” (the Tourist Boat ) did not return from its annual overhaul until the 10th of May.
There is also a second Tourist boat, “The Konstandinos” ( blue ).
 
Now that the tourist charter flights are starting to arrive in Karpathos these two tourist boats will soon be back to their daily service :
(!)  Depart Pigadia Port  around  8 o’clock Arrive in Diafani around 9.30. Depart Diafani  around 4pm (16h) and arrive back in Pigadia around 5.30 pm (17h30) 
( NB  if the two tourist boats come to Diafani on the same day  The Chrisovalandou generally docks at and leaves from the jetty in the centre of Diafani, the Konstandinos generally docks at and leaves from the main port of Diafani )
 
(!) Due to weather conditions and other possible changes  PLEASE CHECK SCHEDULE DAYS AND TIMES FOR ALL THESE BOATS  with Nikos Orfanos in Diafani or on the port in Pigadia.
 
 
THE ROAD and other information :
 
Work on the road has started again and there are again promises that the road will be surfaced and finished by the end of September ! Meanwhile, except for trucks and high wheel cars, there are some difficult rocky places to drive over and the cost of a taxi from the airport or from Pigadia remains between 80 and 120 euros !
 
The cash machine has NOT returned to Diafani - bring cash !
 
A few of the smaller places to stay in Diafani no longer have the permit to continue to rent their rooms and are basically using them for visiting family and friends. I have kept their names and contact information in the list (see website A to Z “Where to stay in Diafani ) hoping that their permits will be renewed soon, check with the owner.
 
The weather is lovely now and there are still many wild flowers and scented herbs to welcome you on the walking paths around Diafani.
 
 
Hoping to see you here this year,
Best regards,
 
Margarita



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L13 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MARCH 2010

2010 FROM DIAFANI

Diafani 2010   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)
 
Before beginning the first news of 2010 please note that many of the recent messages I sent out to you all came back to me as “Transaction Failed- Recipient unknown”.
If you want to remain on the “Friends of Diafani” mailing list please let me know when you change your email contact information.
If you have any friends who normally receive the newsletters but have not had any mail from me please ask them to mail me their change of address.
  
2010  EARLY SPRING FESTIVALS AND NEW INFORMATION FOR DIAFANI WEBSITE   
 
The Easter holidays are approaching and I hope that some of you will be able to visit Diafani to share the wonderful experience of the traditional Greek Orthodox Easter and all the unique festivals in Diafani-Olymbos.
The countryside will be a beautiful rejuvenated green and there will be many wild flowers and herbs to greet you.
 
Some of the visitors to Diafani are lucky enough to have a flight from the airport of their home country direct to Karpathos. For many a stop-over is often necessary before making the connection to Diafani.
 
Thanks to all the Friends of Diafani who answered my 2009 Autumn Newsletter request for good places to stay when traveling to or from Diafani  you will now find a new section in the Diafani website  A to Z,  a list of recommended stop-over places
(see :  http://www.diafani.com/  A to Z  “Hotels, Rooms for stop-over”)
Please contact me if you have other stop-over addresses to recommend.
 
Hoping to see you in Diafani this year.
With very best regards to you all,
 
Margarita


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L12 NEWS FROM DIAFANI NOVEMBER 2009

2009 LATE AUTUMN NEWS FROM DIAFANI

Diafani 14th November 2009   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)

 
WEATHER - FESTIVALS - TRANSPORT -  POLITICS and CHANGES
 
Rain came early to Diafani this autumn and although there have been some sunny days the weather as been rather cold and grey. The villages of Diafani and Olymbos feel almost deserted now as many of the locals left Diafani -Olymbos at the end of he summer and went back to their winter homes in Rhodes or Athens - and those remaining are out in the countryside most of the day working hard to harvest their olives.
 
Some of he locals who now live and work in Rhodes or Athens did return to the village for the recent Greek General Elections. These elections brought in a new government - PASOK , the Socialist party, which has now replaced the ND - the New Democracy party.The island of Karpathos always votes a massive support for the PASOK party and most people are fairly optimistic that there will be many changes for the better.  
 
Some of these locals returned again to the village for the two big Autumn festivals :
November 8 - the festival of the Archangels Mikail and Gabriel, which was held in Tristomo and also in the new big church on the road from Olymbos towards Spoa.
November 11 - the festival of Saint Minas, which was held in the church of Ayios Minas down the coast from Diafani just after he beach of Forokli.
Both these festivals are two day events, starting the evening before
 
Progress has been made with the roadworks and the road between Olymbos and Soa is now wider and most of the rocky places have been smoothed over. The major work now is to asphalt the surface but this needs more time and  more money ! 
 
The shipping situation for Diafani continues to be a problem. For the winter schedule there is only one ship per week stopping at Diafani on its way from Piraeus to Rhodes and returning during the nght from Rhodes on its way back to Piraeus. There are however three ships per week from the main port of Karpathos, Pigadia and the Community Boat (the shopping boat) will continue its regular service between Diafani and Pigadia. 
 
Another big change for Greece is that the state owned airline OLYMPIC AIRWAYS has now, after several years of negociations, been sold and is operating under the name OLYMPIC AIR with new planes and greatly improved staff.
However the new company did not obtain all the original lines and the domestic services are still under negotiation.
 
Many visitors to Diafani this summer asked me to recommend places to stay while traveling here or returning home. If you know of a good place to stay in Pigadia, Rhodes or Athens please let me know all the details and I will include this information in the Diafani Website A to Z list.
 
Hoping to see you in Diafani next year, meanwhile  KALO  HEEMONA !
 
Margarita


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L11 NEWS FROM DIAFANI JULY 2009

2009 SUMMER NEWS FROM DIAFANI   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)

WEATHER + SHIPPING + CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS    

WEATHER :

After a week of very strong winds the weather has now become very hot with just a little breeze to cool the evenings. It is mostly too hot to enjoy all the newly cleaned and red marked paths for walking in this beautiful countryside but Nikos and Yorgos take their boats out every day for the visitors to enjoy swimming in the crystal clear sea of the many lovely beaches along the coast and on the island of Saria.

SHIPPING :

The tourist season began very slowly this year with very few visitors in May, June and early July. This can be explained partly by the economic situation in Europe but also due to the problems surrounding the shipping situation for Karpathos.

I arrived, with much difficulty, in Diafani in April and hoped to write a newsletter then with confirmation of the shipping service. However the new contracts were not  confirmed until the end of June and the new schedule was strongly contested.

Delays in the time of arrival and departure have also been a problem for some visitors.

For further information check with the GTP website information before making your travel plans :

GTP GREEK TRAVEL PAGES Routes+Time table

You will find the schedule there but do check the timetable given there when buying your ticket !

NB : The ships serving Diafani on their route Piraeus-Rhodes-Piraeus this year do not stop in Crete. There is however a ship which includes Crete but which stops in Karpathos-Pigadia without calling at Diafani.   

The small Chrisovalandou "the shopping boat" can then serve as a link  for three days a week (at the moment the schedule is Monday, Tuesday and Friday) or the big Chrisovalandou "the tourist boat" which comes up to Diafani every morning during the tourist season. Check the service of these boats at the port.

CEREMONIES and CELEBRATIONS :

This unique community of Olymbos-Diafani still maintains all its traditions.

There have been many memorial services this year and on Saturday 25th July a beautiful traditional wedding was celebrated with great joy.

The celebrations began in the Diafani home of the bride, Evangelia, the beautiful young daughter of Mikaili and Popy from the Corali restaurant. Traditional music and "Mantinades" were sung before the bride was escorted by all the young women in traditional costume to her flower decorated car and driven up to Olymbos. 

A convoy of local cars and the new enormous white community bus followed her car, announcing her arrival by sounding their horns all the way up to the hilltop village.

The musicians then went to the Olymbos home of Yorgos, the future husband and after traditional music and "Mantinades" there he was escorted by the young men firing shotguns in the air and singing all the way up to the church.

The bride was then brought in procession through the narrow streets of Olymbos and into the church which was now packed with families and friends while several hundred people were still waiting outside. The beautiful traditional ceremony was held by the two priests of the community, Papa Minas from Diafani and Papa Yannis from Olymbos. Everybody exclaimed what a beautiful couple Evangelia and Yorgos were and wished them much happiness together.

After the ceremony in the church the couple were escorted to the "Megaro" where a feast for all comers was served to about four hundred people !  The feast was followed by music and singing until the early hours of Sunday morning and after a brief pause continued until about  10 o'clock with more music, singing and traditional dancing.

There will be other celebrations throughout the summer as the homecoming people of this community come to share more weddings, baptisms and special feast days.

(see :  http://www.diafani.com/  A to Z Church Festivals )

KALO KALOKAIRI  !

With very best regards to you all,   

Margarita

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L10 NEWS FROM DIAFANI DECEMBER 2008

2008 WINTER NEWS FROM DIAFANI   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)


SHIPPING + ECOLOGY + TRADITIONS + HIGH TECH  

Firstly my apologies to all you football fans who have pointed out that in the Autumn Newsletter I mentioned the "World Cup Football Games" when I should have said "European Cup" , SORRY !


SHIPPING :

Here as promised in the Autumn Newsletter is an update on the problem of the shipping contract for Diafani :
The "Lane Lines" discontinued their service to the island of Karpathos at the end of October and the contract was then taken up by "G+A Lines"
The  "G+A" ship now serving Diafani is called the "RODANTHI"  (maybe replaced by the "MARINA") and the present schedule for this ship is to call at Diafani  when coming from Athens-Piraeus and going on to Rhodes and then again when returning from Rhodes on its way back to Piraeus.
NB  Unlike the ships of the former Lane Line the Rodanthi does not stop in Crete, nor in Halki. There is however another G+A ship which includes Crete and Halki but which stops in Karpathos-Pigadia without calling at Diafani.   
This schedule is programmed only until mid December. For further information check with the GTP website information before making your travel plans : GTP GREEK TRAVEL PAGES Routes+Time table


ECOLOGY  :

This year the official Athens Airport magazine dedicated their impressive October to December edition to Green travel and Ecology.
Greece has had a rather poor reputation in dealing with the all the ecology problems and meeting the deadlines set by the European Union. However there are people throughout Greece who are working hard to protect and preserve their community and the community of Olymbos-Diafani is a good example.
As many of you know, the countryside around Diafani is a paradise for walkers.
The new local government, in conjunction with the Environment Management, have worked hard to clear, restore and mark, with new red spots, the very many beautiful walking paths of Northern Karpathos.
Much effort has also been put into cleaning the beaches and several Friends of Diafani have helped the community in this tiring work; this is however an ongoing task as the sea continues to bring to the shore all kinds of carelessly discarded rubbish.
Another encouraging piece of news is that the monitoring of the Monk seals shows they are now breeding happily in their carefully preserved area north of Diafani.

The weather was exceptionally warm in early November which delighted many visitors who found the sea still very pleasant for swimming; however many l were extremely concerned about the lack of rain which usually prepares the trees for the olive harvesting. There are few people in Diafani at this time of the year as many former inhabitants now live in Rhodes or Piraeus and come home only in the school holidays - fewer and fewer come home for the olive harvesting.
Some rain has now fallen but not yet enough to ensure a trouble free summer in 2009.


TRADITIONS :

In spite of these concerns the inhabitants of Diafani Avlona and Olymbos celebrated the two important feast days of this winter season : The festival of the Archangels, Mixaili and Gabriel was celebrated (from the 7th to 8th November)  in Tristomo and in the new big church built on the road to Pigadia. The festival of AG. Mina was also well celebrated (from the 10th to 11th November) at the church down the coast from Diafani. 

This unique village of Diafani still maintains all its traditions.
Baptism and funeral services are attended by the whole village and the traditional "Mantinades" (a special kind of free-composed sung poem) are still enjoyed in all the special festivals. Although the younger generation no longer wear the daily traditional costume they do participate as fully as their parents and grandparents in the enjoyment of the traditional music and dance.
(see : Church Festivals)


HIGH TECH   :

Enjoying and helping to maintain these age old traditions does not prevent the introduction of high technology into the community.
In Diafani telephone lines are now ADSL compatible for high speed Internet, and the Wi Fi system is installed in several restaurants giving free access to Internet for their customers.

While in Diafani in early November we experienced some difficulty with the internet connections but we are now working hard to complete and update the information in the Diafani website for 2009. We have thousands of photographs to sort this winter and hope to also include some of them into the website soon.
If you have any news concerning Diafani (not photos please) which you would like to share with all the Friends of Diafani please email me (margarita@diafani.com) and I will do my best to incorporate that in the next newsletter.

STOP PRESS NEWS !

You may have seen on television, or in your newspapers, the terrible protests and riots throughout Greece. In Karpathos no cars have been burnt and no shops destroyed. Our friends there tell us that there was just a quiet protest procession through Pigadia.


KALES YIORTES kai KALI XRONIA 2009 !

With very best regards to you all,   
Margarita



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L09 NEWS FROM DIAFANI AUTUMN 2008

2008 AUTUMN NEWS FROM DIAFANI   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/


Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends" e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)


EARTHQUAKES , FIRES  and HOLIDAYS  !  :

This year, due to family and health problems, I was not able to spend the summer in Diafani so I sadly missed seeing many of the regular Friends of Diafani , but I was happy to hear from some of you and to know that your holidays went on very happily as usual in Diafani. Village news from friends, local and visitors, has therefore kept me up to date for this newsletter.

Following a big (6.8) earthquake in the Peloponnese which destroyed an old section of Patras early this summer there were several smaller rumbles around Greece.
You may have heard about, (or felt ?) the one which shook ( but not stirred ) Diafani in July. Although it was registered around 6.3 on the Richter scale it took place deep in the sea between Rhodes and Karpathos and caused no damage in Diafani.

You may also have heard about the terrible fires which broke out on the island of Rhodes. Thankfully, with the solidarity and help of many other European firefighters, the fires were finally extinguished after 6 days of fighting the huge flames, but a vast area of forest land has now been destroyed.
These fires are of course often a result of extremely dry weather. The wind can then carry the smallest spark from a discarded cigarette or piece of glass etc.
Please help to protect the trees and countryside around Diafani. When you are out walking in the countryside or on the beaches please, if at all possible, collect and bring back to the rubbish bins of the village anything that could cause a fire.

This year there were fewer visitors to Diafani early in the summer but the month of August was very busy as usual with both visitors and returning locals.
The drop in tourism this year has been attributed to the World Cup football games or the  opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing,  but more likely to the decrease in spending power throughout Europe.

Early in August Karpathos was in the Greek Cultural Events Calendar for a concert of 16th to 18th century musical instruments, held in the main town Pigadia on August 2nd.  And in Diafani-Olymbos everybody enjoyed the very important festival of August 15th  and the exceptional full moon on that holiday weekend.

Another cultural note was the publishing of a charming book to celebrate the life and work of a local artist  Vasilis N. Hatzivasilis. (in English)
Some of you may have noticed this summer the extra decorations on the local school in Diafani. If you have ever wondered what those frieze paintings represent, you will enjoy reading all about this native folk artist and his sons who, in memory of their father, are dedicated to maintaining and continuing his work. They are opening a small museum in Olymbos in his honour.
 
This summer strong winds sometimes prevented the boats from taking the visitors out but the festival of Vroukounda was as usual an important event and the return via Avlona was then celebrated with the traditional extension of the dancing and enjoyment there.
(see Diafani website A to Z : Church Festivals 28th / 29th August - Day of St John) Church Festivals

If you have any other news concerning Diafani this summer  ( NOT photos please) which you would like to share with all the Friends of Diafani  please email me (margarita@diafani.com) and I will do my best to incorporate that in the next newsletter.

Like the yearly great migration of birds to Africa the local people who now live in Rhodes, Athens or America have also left the island for their winter homes. 
The remaining local children have gone back to school in Diafani and Olymbos; the two villages of this community are gradually returning to their quiet existence waiting perhaps for some of their families to return for the olive harvesting in November.

Some of you may have heard about ( but  I hope not experienced ) the dramatic situation with the Lane Line Ferry ships stopping their service to Karpathos in the last week of September. This was due to contract renewal problems and the Lane line workers going on strike because they had not been paid.
Apart from the obvious difficulty for locals and visitors to get to or from Diafani  the lack of ships for more than ten days had a disastrous effect on supplies in the shops of Karpathos, which depend on food and other items coming in 2 times per week by ship from Athens, Crete or Rhodes.
Nikos Orfanos and friends in Pigadia have told me that the service has now been restored and is guaranteed to operate the usual schedule until the end of October.
My husband and I hope to return to Diafani next week so we will see if the ship can really take us there !

We hope that the Lane lines will win the contract to continue their service to Karpathos for 2009. Watch the next Newsletter for news of this, or contact the shipping information via the Diafani website :  How to get here
    
KALO XEIMONA  to you all,
Margarita


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L08 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MAY 2008

2008 SPRING-TIME NEWS FROM DIAFANI   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/


Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends"  e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)


GREEK ORTHODOX EASTER  +  SPRING IN DIAFANI  :


EASTER :

As many of you know, Easter is a "moveable feast'. Western Easter is calculated according to the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Orthodox Easter is calculated according to the Julian calendar.
Last year (2007) the calculations coincided on the same date and Easter was celebrated by both on the 8th of April.
This year the date of Orthodox Easter fell several weeks later and was duly celebrated at midnight on Saturday 26th and Easter Sunday 27th April.
Easter time in Diafani is a wonderful experience full of traditions and celebrations (see Diafani Website AtoZ , chapter "Church Festivals" )
Next year Greek Orthodox Easter will be on the 19th of April 2009
Hoping to see you here !

WEATHER - WALKING - VISITORS  :

Spring time is also the time when you can see the countryside around Diafani covered in a vast variety of beautiful wild flowers, and during a short part of the season you may see the rare wild orchids too.
Spring time is also the perfect time for those of you who like to walk the many paths. Some new dirt roads have been started but there is now more thought about preserving the old paths. 
During the winter the main representatives of the local government carried on with their promise to clean up the whole area in and around Diafani..  A small working group was organized for the cleaning and restoring of some of the old paths, especially 4 paths around Profitis Ilias. Cleaning was also done on the village beach by this group and two loyal visitors now resident in Diafani.

This year the spring temperatures in northern Europe were very high in early May, but in Diafani we had many very chilly evenings. With the full moon the weather has now improved and the sea will soon warm up for swimming.
Apart from 3 or 4 walking groups with their guides and the faithful Friends of Diafani regulars, there have been very few visitors this April and May. 


BOATS and SHIPS SCHEDULES :

Due to the serious lack of visitors, and the rapid and ongoing increase in the price of fuel, the Chrisovalandou III (the "Tourist Boat" ) has until now made only a few trips up from Pigadia. We hope it will begin its regular daily schedule soon.
The blue boat, which began the same "Tourist Boat" service last year, has however made a few more trips up from Pigadia this spring but it is also not yet running a daily schedule.
Please check with the Captains in Pigadia

The smaller Chrisovalandou (the "Shopping Boat") however continues its European Community supported schedule to take the local people of this community to the wider services provided in the capital such as banks, shops, dentists, tax offices etc...
Visitors to Diafani can use this service.
For the moment this service is on Mondays+Wednesdays and Fridays  leaving Diafani from the main port at precisely 8h , arriving in Pigadia  around 10h and returning from Pigadia at precisely 15h , arriving back in Diafani around 17h.
NB
This service will soon change to the summer schedule, (probably at the end of May and probably Mondays and Thursdays as above, Friday trip down to Pigadia but no return that day. On Wednesdays the boat will do a round trip to Saria)
Please check with the Captain.

The schedules of the big Ferry Ships Piraeus-Rhodes-Piraeus were disrupted a little in early May, due to Easter and then fuel delivery strikes, but they are now working to their NEW summer schedules :

Leaving Rhodes :
Sundays       at 03h  - arriving Diafani around  07h10
Thursdays    at 01h  - arriving Diafani around  05h10

Leaving Diafani :
Saturdays     around  17h45 - arriving Rhodes around 21h50
Tuesdays    around  18h40  - arriving Rhodes around 22h50

Please check  with  Greek Travel Pages :

GTP Rhodes Diafani 2008       
GTP Diafani Rhodes 2008    
Greek Travel Pages (GTP)


CHANGES IN DIAFANI / OLYMBOS  :  (almost the same as in my 2007 letter ! )

The construction of the new road from Olymbos to link up with the already surfaced road Spoa-Pigadia  is still going on and it will probably not be completed this year.
So life still goes quietly on in Diafani and Olymbos with only occasional "Rent-a Car" visitors ready to make that journey.
NB  - If you are planning to arrive in Diafani by car/taxi please note that the road works close the road at certain times.

The Bank-Card cash machine which was installed in Diafani, then removed 2 years ago "for repairs", has still not yet returned. Some of the hoteliers in Diafani now have credit card payment machines for their visitors (check when reserving your room or studio) but you may still need to bring cash with you this year as otherwise you will have to go down to the nearest bank in the capital, Pigadia.

Sadly some more old stone houses have been knocked down in Diafani and are being replaced by more concrete buildings (probably more studios or more restaurants ?!). Happily there is still a control on the maximum height allowed, and Olymbos now has much stricter "heritage" control.

As mentioned above the local government continued their policy of cleaning up and improving the area in and around Diafani.
A reliable local man was also appointed by them to take care of and captain the boat belonging to the MOM . (the local branch of the organization for the protection of the Monk Seals who live and breed around Saria ) . There are many long term plans for increased protection and also information to the visitors. Watch for the news soon ! 


EVENTS  and  POLITICS :

During the winter my husband and I had planned to put together a film of our first years in Diafani (1970-1980) but unfortunately we were not able to do this.
However one of the long time regular visitors to Diafani has just arrived from Austria with his wife, bringing their children, grandchildren and friends to celebrate his birthday with a big party in the Megaro (church hall). He plans to show a film of his first years in Diafani (1981 to 1983). He has promised to give me a copy, which we can perhaps incorporate into our film show of those very early years which we hope to hold in the Megaro for locals and visitors next year.
 
In Greece adults do not normally celebrate their birthday but celebrate instead their name day, with all of the other people who share the name of the same saint. 
The regular spring Friends of Diafani visitors know however that we always celebrate Niko's birthday on the 17th of May.
This year the party was held in Mixaili's and Poppy's restaurant (Corali) with lots of fresh fish and lobsters and a lovely cake (one candle ! ) and of course Niko leading all his guests in the dance around the room. A really good evening for all.

Mixaili is one of the leading musicians of this community and he also teaches the local children the traditional dances. This year the children won second place in the prestigious annual Folk Dance Festival in Rhodes.

There are some more new babies in the village but the problem of education here seems to be getting worse. The primary school in Diafani has only five children attending there. The school in Olymbos now has about 11 children, and I have been told that there are 14 teachers here this year !
Many of the parents feel that, with some exceptions, the teachers sent here to teach for one or two school years make little or no effort to help their children to get a good education. More and more parents are taking their children away to Rhodes or Piraeus for better teachers and more learning facilities.
This often results in the fathers staying to keep their jobs in Diafani while their wives and children only come home in the school holidays. This is a complete reversal of the old custom here, where the men went to work abroad, leaving their wives and their children in the village.

Karpathos in the past years voted massively for the PASOK party but recent voting has shown a fall in their supporters. Elections were held this week to elect a number of Karpathos local representatives for the PASOK  party.
Only 94 people voted in Diafani, with a majority of those votes going to a young man of Diafani, he also had many votes from the people in Pigadia.
Absenteeism was quite high as many of the local people were busy working hard in their fields in Avlona or tending their animals and bee-hives on Saria.
Greece has been rocked by scandals in both the leading party (ND) and the opposition party (PASOK). Perhaps the lack of attendance at these and other political elections was also due to a growing loss of faith in all party politics.

Diafani continues to be rather cut off from world events and the selection of international newspapers in Pigadia is still rather spasmodic. However for those of you who feel the need to keep up with world news you may like to know that ADSL (high speed connection to the Internet) has arrived in Diafani !
Soon WiFi ? !!

Hoping to see you in Diafani this year.

Very best regards to you all,
Margarita


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L07 NEWS FROM DIAFANI MARCH 2008

NEWS FROM DIAFANI MARCH 2008   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/


You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends"  e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me ( margarita@diafani.com )

Dear Friends of Diafani,
Problems of health, family and computer have prevented me from writing to you all since my Christmas time message. During my absence my mail provider changed some of its services - and decided to "Spam" most of my mail ! 
If you wrote asking for information or help to plan your trip to Diafani and have not yet obtained a reply to your needs please do send me your request again and I will do my best to help you.

Here now some news from our correspondent in Karpathos :

Firstly an historical note :
Sixty years ago, on the 7th March 1948  the Dodecanese islands were officially declared as part of the Greek state. 

Exceptional weather :
The weather was very mild and sunny for many days around Christmas and in January, day time temperatures said to be around 19°.  Later strong winds prevented the boats from arriving in Diafani and then came the snow !  It quickly melted in Diafani but the village of Olymbos was covered in a blanket of snow. Maybe you saw television views of various parts of Europe and even the Acropolis covered in snow but this was really exceptional for Diafani and Olymbos !

Another important event for the village :
Our correspondent tells us that the local Diafani-Olymbos Mayor and Council contacted a company who came and removed some old cars, lorries, and the big old anchor from the new port area.
This is an important step in cleaning up the whole area for both aesthetic and ecological reasons. 

The Transport situation - Boats and Road  :
Both the "Xrisovalandou" boats are away for their yearly check-up and repainting so for the next few weeks the only transport up and down the coast is by the Ferry from Rhodes/Piraeus.
Work continues on the road and for the moment there are some road closure times to respect. However there are hopes that the road will be fully open for Pasxa (see below for the dates of Greek Easter this year )

NB  PASXA - Greek Orthodox Easter is about one month later this year.
Holy Week begins on the 20th of April and Easter Saturday is on the 26th April.
This is a most wonderful time to be in Diafani to share the very special ceremonies traditions and festivities. Hoping to see you there ! 
 
Very best regards,
Margarita


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L06  NEWS FROM DIAFANI AUTUMN 2007

2007 SUMMER - AUTUMN NEWS FROM DIAFANI  

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only  "Diafani Friends"  e-mail address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me ( margarita@diafani.com )


Summer events - Festivals - The road - Crime in Diafani ! - The Song of the Whale - General Elections in Diafani  :


My husband and I returned to Paris in August so I am relying on the generous help of many of the regular visitors for information of the main events this August :

This August a record number of visitors came to spend their summer holidays in Diafani. As usual the visitors came from countries all over Europe and the largest numbers of these visitors were from Italy.
August is also the annual holiday month for the Greek people and a great number of local people came back from America, Piraeus and Rhodes to bring their children and spend their holidays in their home village. The local children renewed their fun and games with their visiting cousins and the adults spent many hours eating and drinking with their relatives.
Some of these homecoming locals proudly demonstrated their new speedboats and even the latest water scooter !
The village was packed !
If you enjoy seeing the local festivals and enjoy eating and drinking in the local restaurants of Diafani with a large crowd of mixed nationalities till late every night then August is the month for you.
If however you prefer quiet beaches, walks in the herb scented hills and tranquil evenings then do plan your next holidays here for May/June - September/October

Many of the regular visitors expressed concern about the newly bulldozered paths to give car access to the nearby beaches from the main road above.
Work on this main road to the south goes slowly on and estimates of a finished and surfaced link to the south of Karpathos range between one and two more years.

Some visitors this August were concerned about the wild camping on the various beaches along the coast. They noticed the lack of cleanliness caused by some of these people, especially those who had dogs with them. However the main concern was the fact that they built fires to cook. This was a truly justified fear as everybody has heard about the fires destroying vast forest lands throughout Greece this year.

One of the big events of the summer was the annual "Community Walk"  which took place on the 13th of August.
SEE THE COMING REPORT of this walk, contributed by one of the regular visitors to Diafani , who also gives generously his time playing his guitar every evening for the enjoyment and happily singing along participation of the summer visitors.

The biggest festivals were of course in August.
On the 15th of  August hundreds of people went up to Olymbos to see the beautiful local costumes and watch the local dancing there. Then, on the 28th and 29th of August there was the two day festival in Vroukounda with return via Avlona and continuation of the dancing there well into the third day!

This summer the new Local Government re-installed some signs in the village to indicate "No Entry", "No Parking" and they also repainted the yellow lines.
Most people had the impression that nobody paid very much attention to them - but one of the loyal and much loved regular visitors since the 1970's has received the first, and maybe unique, car-parking fine !

At the beginning of September another "First" for Diafani was sadly the break-in of Anna's Kafeneion. The first crime in Diafani !
Anna was in a deep state of shock when she arrived to open her Kafeneion and found the door broken and all her money and telephone cards had gone.
Fortunately the thieves (two young men from Pigadia) were caught,  trying to make their escape … by calling the local taxi !

September has been a month of many memorial services for the people of the village who died.
On a lighter note there have also been many small and lovely festivals. After the big festivals which are so crowded in August the festivals in September are smaller and more intimate, with feasting and dancing in a very friendly atmosphere.
(See Diafani website A-Z "Church Festivals")

An interesting event of this summer has been the publication of a book with an in depth study of the community of Olymbos-Diafani and the tourists/visitors who come here.
The book, "HOLYDAYS in OLYMBOS - To be or not to be a tourist ", was written by Peter Smekal, a regular visitor here with his lovely wife, Marina. (See Diafani website A-Z "Bibliography")

Another important event on September 13th was the arrival in Diafani of the IFAW boat "The Song of the Whale".
Everybody was invited on board this beautiful boat to hear about their work collecting essential data to protect the whales and dolphins of the world.
The researchers and crew were all very welcoming, showing the elaborate equipment and speaking about how they collect and collate data and demonstrating the sounds and photographs of the whales to each group that came on board.
This very interesting one day visit of "The Song of the Whale" in Diafani was organized in conjunction with the MOM centre in Diafani  who are also doing important preservation work to protect the  Monk Seals of Northern Karpathos and Saria.
See websites:  www.ifaw.org  and   www.mom.gr

September 16th 2007 - General Elections in Greece.
The Sunday morning ship arrived at an especially early time to bring home to vote all the local people living away from the community now.
With some exceptions the voters of Karpathos voted massively for the party of PASOK (Left)
However the rest of Greece voted more for the ruling party, the New Democracy (Right) and they were therefore re-elected for another 4 years.
The ship, expected to return to Diafani that evening to take the voters back, was not able to dock at the port because of the very high winds. Most of the voters had to quickly find cars to race down to the port of Pigadia but some decided to stay on for the Tuesday afternoon ship back to Rhodes. 

The lack of rain this year, followed by two heat waves this summer, means that there will be little or no olive harvesting for these people to come home for this winter.

After the departure of the voters and the last of the locals living in Rhodes, Piraeus and America, Diafani became once again a very quiet little seaside village.

Hoping to see you again in Diafani next year,
Best wishes to you all -  KALO XEIMONA !

Margarita


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L05  NEWS FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2007

2007 SPRING-TIME NEWS FROM DIAFANI  

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Dear Friends of Diafani,
You are receiving this newsletter as one of the many friends on the "Friends of Diafani" list. As a protection for you all each person always receives the newsletters with only his/her address visible.
I hope this news is of interest to you, but if you wish to be taken off this list please contact me (margarita@diafani.com)


WEATHER  +  CHANGES IN DIAFANI-OLYMBOS  +  SPECIAL EVENTS  :


THE WEATHER :

As in many other parts of Europe the weather has been very unseasonable here.
During Christmas and the New Year 2007 the weather was exceptionally mild and the normally rainy month of January saw not a drop of rain.
Orthodox Easter was early this year and it was very cold in Diafani while most of the rest of Europe were enjoying a warm month of April.
In May there were some sunny days alternating with grey overcast days and then two days of heavy, much needed rain. Then came a really unseasonable storm with huge waves rolling into the bay of Diafani and crashing onto the small port and sea-front, dragging the beach stones up into the village.
Throughout the month of May the evenings were very chilly but now the sun is breaking through the clouds and warming up the sea to welcome you back to Diafani this year !


CHANGES IN DIAFANI /  OLYMBOS :

The construction of the new road from Olymbos to link up with the already surfaced road Spoa-Pigadia  is still going on and it will probably not be completed this year.

Two old houses have been knocked down and rebuilt in the street leading from the sea-front to the Diafani Palace hotel.  There are also now several new houses and some new studios in the village of Diafani.

Two new restaurants opening this year - This now makes eleven places to eat and drink in Diafani  !  (See Diafani website A-Z page "Where to eat and drink" ).

Building is also going on in Olymbos for the construction of a "Hospital" - in fact more a medical centre with consulting/treatment facilities for five specialist-doctors.
The problem remains how to persuade 5 doctors to give up a more lucrative career in Rhodes or Athens to live and work in Olymbos.

The Bank-Card cash machine which was installed a few years ago in Diafani then removed last year for repairs has not yet returned - so do bring cash with you this year as the nearest bank is in the capital, Pigadia.

There were very few visitors here in April and May and as a result the "Tourist Boat", the Chrissovalandou III did not come up more than one or two times a week.
Now however (sea and wind conditions permitting ! ) it is running its daily schedule from Pigadia 8h arriving Diafani 10h leaving again at16h returning to Pigadia 18h
NB  times only approximate, check with captain !

The smaller Chrissovalandou continues its European Community supported schedule to take the local people of this community to the wider services provided in the capital  such as banks, shops, dentists, tax offices etc...
Visitors to Diafani can use this service.
This boat leaves Diafani at 8h on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays , arriving in Pigadia around 10h and returning from there at 15h to arrive back in Diafani at 17h
NB this boat does not return to Diafani on Friday afternoon.

Work has been done to improve some of the paths around this area of Northern Karpathos. The newly restored path to Tristomo has been much appreciated by the walkers this year.

In addition to the MOM  (organization for the protection of the Monk Seals) there is now a new organization here, NATURA, who, with the contribution of LIFE, the financial instrument of the European Community, work to protect selected places of interest in Greece. 
They are now working in Diafani for the protection of  Northern Karpathos and the island of Saria.
Both of these organizations had meetings in the "Megaro" (hall under the church) for the local people to hear about their work and aims.

The new local government which began their four year term of office in January this year held a general meeting in the Megaro with a very well organized agenda of topics such as the lack of rain in the winter months and how to conserve what they have,  their plans for rubbish and beach cleaning in Diafani and surrounding areas, and many other community problems.
People were invited to participate with their questions/comments - many people did so very loudly !

There are a few new babies in the village but the problem of education here remains. The primary school in Diafani has only five children attending there. The school in Olymbos has about 14 children and there are 12 teachers here this year !


SPECIAL EVENTS !  :

Great excitement for Diafani-Olymbos with the official visits of two very important political men.

The first to come was Mr. G. Papandreou, leader of PASOK, the opposition party.
He arrived with his entourage in the afternoon by the "Chrissovalandou"  boat which was doing a second, specially programmed, trip that day.
He went for a rapid walk-about through the seafront of Diafani and was then driven up to Olymbos for a feast of local specialities (makarounes etc ! ) and given a short demonstration of local music and dance. He then came back down to Diafani and left with the "Chrissovandou" boat.
The following day he attended a very moving ceremony in Pigadia in memory of the Greek pilot killed at this time last year when his plane crashed with a Turkish plane over the sea of Karpathos.

The second visit was even more important for this community.
The President of Greece, Mr K. Papoulias  came to Karpathos .
It was June 5th, "Environment Day" and he went first by speedboat with the Greek Coastal Guards to visit Saria and hear about the organization here for the protection of the of the Monk Seals, the coastal waters, the island vegetation and the unique way of life of  Northern Karpathos and Saria
His boat and two escort boats then arrived at the main port of Diafani in the late afternoon and he, his entourage, the Greek television people and most of the village people, walked from the port to the village where he visited the MOM-LIFE-NATURA office before going to have a coffee in Anna's  Kafeneion !
He was then driven up to Olymbos to be given many gifts and the Golden Key to the community, followed by a feast and demonstration of local music and dance before returning to the speedboats for his departure around 23h.

The new local government of Olymbos-Diafani prepared and organized these two events with great success.
A lot of hard work was done by them and various volunteers to clean away all the rubbish in preparation for these visits - but also with the promise to continue the cleaning up process here and in Saria and the badly polluted bay of Tristomo.


Although there will be no more golden keys given to visitors to the community we are  hoping to welcome you back to Diafani this year !

Very best regards to you all,
Margarita

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L04 WINTER NEWS FROM DIAFANI NOVEMBER 2006

NOVEMBER 2006 WINTER NEWS FROM DIAFANI   

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/

Bravo to those regular visitors who managed to get to Diafani this spring in spite of the charter plane difficulties. We were very pleased to see you again.
We were very sorry not to see those who did not come back this spring but hope you will be back in Diafani again soon.

You may have heard Karpathos mentioned in the international news recently, when two military planes, Greek and Turkish, crashed over here and fell into the sea just to the south of Pigadia. The Greek pilot was lost but the Turkish pilot was found and restored safely to Turkey. Efforts were made to play down this incident while the Greeks and Turks are still struggling to improve relations in view of a possible Turkish entry into the EU. 

To return to more local news, many of the visitors this spring have walked the newly restored path to Tristomo and have been very enthusiastic about the work done to make this path clearly marked and safe again.
I have seen recently a new book which looks very interesting, which includes descriptions of the various paths to walk around Diafani, it is called : "Walking the Greek Islands, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos, Southern Dodecanese" by Dieter Graf .
Some friends have also recommended a German guide for walkers here: "Goldstadt Wanderfuhrer, Karpathos, Saria, Kassos" by Dr Ulrich Enzel .

Could all of you who like to walk the various paths from Diafani please give me your feedback on the state of these various walking paths this year.
If any of you would also like to contribute hand drawn maps of the paths I would be very pleased to include them with your name in the Diafani Website.

Some of the Hotels/Pensions  have upgraded their rooms this year, knocking together small rooms to install private bathrooms and cooking facilities. Some now have their own Web page with information and photos.

Vananda has also seen some upgrading.
Yanni  (who had the "Sunrise Bar" a few years ago) is now back from Germany and has built, in the country land behind Vananda, 3 very nice traditional Karpathian rooms with bathrooms and cooking facilities. They will be called "Kalimera Vananda" and he hopes to open them this year.

I will be updating the "Where to Stay" chapter and list as soon as possible.

HELP !
Due to other commitments I was not able to spend the winter updating the information in the Diafani Website.
Could any of you help me by choosing a chapter from the list "Diafani  A to Z " and sending me your suggestions for updating the information enclosed there ?

There are also plans to print a large map of Diafani to put on the port and/or in the center of the village, showing where all the restaurants (there will soon be two more here !), shops, hotels, etc. are situated.

The ship from Piraeus calls twice a week at Diafani on its way via Crete to Rhodes.
The ship from Rhodes calls at Diafani three times a week, going twice a week on to Crete and Piraeus and on Wednesdays going only on to Crete then turning round and coming back to Diafani before returning to Rhodes. You can get the schedule confirmed via the Diafani website link from the chapter "How to get here"

There are very few visitors here at the moment but the tourist boat "Chrisovalandou" now comes up from Pigadia every morning and goes back down every afternoon. The "Shopping Boat" also continues to go down to Pigadia three mornings per week.
In August the village will be full as usual with visitors and locals here for holidays and the big festival of August 15th.
If you are planning to come back this year do try to come out of the main rush. Diafani is so much more relaxing in September and October. 

NB
Two important reminders if you are planning to come to Diafani soon :

Due to the continuing poor surface of the main road between Spoa and Olymbos the taxi fare is still extremely expensive. The current fare from Pigadia is 100 Euros!

The cash machine which was installed 2 years ago then taken away last year is still missing so the nearest bank is in Pigadia-Karpathos.
Niko has a Visa card possibility in his office but he has to charge a small percentage to cover his expenses on this.

Come back soon !  Diafani is still a unique place !

Hoping to see you in Diafani  this year
Very best regards to you all,
Margarita


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L03  SAD NEWS FROM DIAFANI MIXAILI SEPT 1st 2006

SAD NEWS FROM DIAFANI


Dear friends of Diafani,

I am sorry to tell you that Mikailis, the Mayor of Diafani for many years, died this morning in Rhodes (Friday 01/09/2006). His funeral will be held in Diafani on Sunday (03/09/2006). I enclose the paragraph about him which is in the Diafani Website A to Z section "Special People" which I had not updated. :

"THE LOCAL MAYOR
The present Mayor of Diafani and Olymbos is Mikailis Protopapas. One of the carpenters of Diafani before being elected, he now devotes all his time to his job as Mayor of this unique community. He is an impressive man with the ability to make himself heard above any discussion. He works hard at being the mayor but is also a fun loving person who loves to hear a good joke or spend the evening with the local men watching a football match."

All who knew him will understand how much he will be missed by his family, his friends and all the community of Olymbos-Diafani.

My husband and I will be flying out to Diafani for the funeral.
Margarita


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L02  MORE NEWS FROM DIAFANI JUNE 2006


JUNE 2006 - MORE NEWS FROM DIAFANI   

- Local, International and request for Help !

The WELCOME TO DIAFANI website front page
http://www.diafani.com/


Bravo to those regular visitors who managed to get to Diafani this spring in spite of the charter plane difficulties. We were very pleased to see you again.
We were very sorry not to see those who did not come back this spring but hope you will be back in Diafani again soon.


You may have heard Karpathos mentioned in the international news recently, when two military planes, Greek and Turkish, crashed over here and fell into the sea just to the south of Pigadia. The Greek pilot was lost but the Turkish pilot was found and restored safely to Turkey. Efforts were made to play down this incident while the Greeks and Turks are still struggling to improve relations in view of a possible Turkish entry into the EU. 

To return to more local news, many of the visitors this spring have walked the newly restored path to Tristomo and have been very enthusiastic about the work done to make this path clearly marked and safe again.
I have seen recently a new book which looks very interesting, which includes descriptions of the various paths to walk around Diafani, it is called : "Walking the Greek Islands, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos, Southern Dodecanese" by Dieter Graf .
Some friends have also recommended a German guide for walkers here: "Goldstadt Wanderfuhrer, Karpathos, Saria, Kassos" by Dr Ulrich Enzel .

Could all of you who like to walk the various paths from Diafani please give me your feedback on the state of these various walking paths this year.
If any of you would also like to contribute hand drawn maps of the paths I would be very pleased to include them with your name in the Diafani Website.

Some of the Hotels/Pensions  have upgraded their rooms this year, knocking together small rooms to install private bathrooms and cooking facilities. Some now have their own Web page with information and photos.

Vananda has also seen some upgrading.
Yanni  (who had the "Sunrise Bar" a few years ago) is now back from Germany and has built, in the country land behind Vananda, 3 very nice traditional Karpathian rooms with bathrooms and cooking facilities. They will be called "Kalimera Vananda" and he hopes to open them this year.

I will be updating the "Where to Stay" chapter and list as soon as possible.

HELP !
Due to other commitments I was not able to spend the winter updating the information in the Diafani Website.
Could any of you help me by choosing a chapter from the list "Diafani  A to Z " and sending me your suggestions for updating the information enclosed there ?

There are also plans to print a large map of Diafani to put on the port and/or in the center of the village, showing where all the restaurants (there will soon be two more here !), shops, hotels, etc. are situated.

The ship from Piraeus calls twice a week at Diafani on its way via Crete to Rhodes.
The ship from Rhodes calls at Diafani three times a week, going twice a week on to Crete and Piraeus and on Wednesdays going only on to Crete then turning round and coming back to Diafani before returning to Rhodes. You can get the schedule confirmed via the Diafani website link from the chapter "How to get here"

There are very few visitors here at the moment but the tourist boat "Chrisovalandou" now comes up from Pigadia every morning and goes back down every afternoon. The "Shopping Boat" also continues to go down to Pigadia three mornings per week.
In August the village will be full as usual with visitors and locals here for holidays and the big festival of August 15th.
If you are planning to come back this year do try to come out of the main rush. Diafani is so much more relaxing in September and October. 

NB
Two important reminders if you are planning to come to Diafani soon :

Due to the continuing poor surface of the main road between Spoa and Olymbos the taxi fare is still extremely expensive. The current fare from Pigadia is 100 Euros!

The cash machine which was installed 2 years ago then taken away last year is still missing so the nearest bank is in Pigadia-Karpathos.
Niko has a Visa card possibility in his office but he has to charge a small percentage to cover his expenses on this.

Come back soon !  Diafani is still a unique place !

Hoping to see you in Diafani  this year
Very best regards to you all,
Margarita


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L01 NEWS FROM DIAFANI EASTER 2006

CHRISTOS ANESTI !   kai  CHRONIA POLLA  !

HAPPY EASTER-SPRINGTIME  to all the friends of Diafani

The people of Diafani had a very hard winter - no snow but exceptionally cold weather with very high winds, stormy seas and lots of rain.

The day before Holy Week began the ship bringing locals home from Piraeus was swept sideways by an incredibly strong wind. Both ropes broke and the landing door of the ship crashed into the side of the port breaking off a large block of the wall.
Fortunately nobody was injured but apart from a few lucky people all the locals felt like hostages aboard, having to go on to Rhodes and back before being able to disembark !

Spring has now come and the heavy rain this winter has transformed the countryside - green hills all around and beautiful flowers everywhere.

I arrived in the village at the beginning of the Orthodox Holy Week and if you have never been in Diafani at Easter time you should really plan to come next year ! 
The beauty of the countryside and the Orthodox ceremonies are very special here.
 
There are a few more babies and a few new houses. The old village shop moved last year to a more modern installation across the street. The two old houses of the original village shop have now been knocked down and the space is at present being used as a car park !

The improvement and surfacing of the main road from Olymbos to Pigadia-Karpathos is still nowhere near finished. I have also heard about a new road from Diafani to Tristomo and another from Avlona to Vroukounda but I have not yet had time to verify this information.

Could all of the you who like to walk the various paths from Diafani please give me feedback on the state of these various walking paths this year.
If any of you would also like to contribute hand drawn maps of the paths I would be very pleased to include them with your name in the  Diafani Website

There are very few visitors here at the moment but all the hotel owners are busy preparing for what they hope will be a good season this year.
In August the village will be full as usual with visitors and locals here for holidays and the big festival of August 15th.
If you are planning to come back this year do try to come out of the main rush. Diafani is so much more relaxing in May and June or September and October. 

The cash machine which was installed 2 years ago then taken away last year is still missing so the nearest bank is in Pigadia-Karpathos.
Niko has a Visa card possibility in his office but he has to charge a small percentage to cover his expenses on this. 

The big Chrisovalandou  boat has not yet begun its daily tourist trips Pigadia-Diafani-Pigadia but the small Chrisovalandou boat is still running its service Diafani-Pigadia-Diafani so it is possible to get to the bank and big shops and spend a busy day in the capital !

Due to the continuing poor surface of the main road between Spoa and Olymbos the taxi fare is still extremely expensive.

Many of the local women continue to wear the daily traditional costume and bake their family bread in the stone ovens scattered about the village but the younger generation now only wear the local costume for special ceremonies and celebrations.
Diafani is still a unique place.  Come back soon !

Hoping to see you in Diafani  this year
Very best regards to you all,
Margarita


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