ON THE ROCKS TELENDOS NEWSLETTER 2003 - 4

Dear friends here we are again, the end of another summer season for OTR and Telendos. I hope you all receive this newsletter in good health & happiness. We will update you on what's happened and what will happen, and hope that it cheers you up a little. The season was a little quiet. Not many visitors on Kalymnos nor on Telendos. A lot happening around the world, maybe people are staying at home? Our weather through the season was very nice as it was around Europe. But it's not the same without you all! It seems the good weather doesn't want to leave us, it's been a little warmer than usual for the months of November & December, but we are not complaining!

There is another Poppi in the family! Yes, it's getting even more confusing. My sister Angela has had a baby girl in August and since it's a girl it must be named after my mum. She is lovely, healthy and growing fast. We are all occupied with her especially my mother, she is over the moon. This is why most of you didn't see my mother around at the end of July, August and September, but most of the season Poppi's mother “Elleni” was with us helping us.

We met a lot of new friends this season which is making the family bigger, we also missed you all who didn't visit and hope to see you all next season. Those of you who are coming please give me your exact dates at your earliest convenience so I can book you in! Next year sees the Olympic Games in Athens in August 2004, you have to be here! The Olympic Flame will arrive on Kalymnos in August as well which is exciting and there will be a huge ceremony held & celebrations planned. It will be very interesting to see. The council is working on a new project, a road that will allow access from Arginoda to Vathi. So you can walk, drive and ride all around Kalymnos. The few lights along the path have been changed to stronger & bigger lights, but we would still like some more. The new sandy beach on Telendos was a great success. A lot of tourists & locals used it. It was something that we have been waiting for a very long time. But doesn't look like being finished as some islanders are not happy with it being made on our end of the island… But we shall not give up so easily! Still no go on our airport...

This season we had a few events held on Telendos. On the full moon in August famous DJ's Night was held at On The Rocks with Thodoris Giavasis, Mihalis Kampourakis, Gova & Dimitris Patellis keeping us in rhythm until 6:30 am, what a night! Also the Northern Territory Government of Australia, Chief Minister Her Hon Clare Martin, His Honour the Administrator Mr John Anictomatis, Official Secretary to HHA Mr Frank Leverett, Minister for Ethnic Affairs Hon Konstantine Vatskalis & the Darwin Greek Community Delegates George Kapetas, Ros Bracher, John Nicolakis, John Halkitis, John Vrodos, Tony Miaoudis, Rena Miaoudis along with our mayor George Rousos and all the Kalymnian council joined in a huge dinner and lots of singing and traditional dancing! Both occasions were a great success for On The Rocks & lots of fun. There were also Cultural events: “Poetry at Sun Set” was held at our Ancient Theatre by St George's Monastery. As well as two unusual Musical Theatre plays with George Mentzelopoulos. And the unforgettable Miss Telendos competition? Believe it or not, the Telendos Princess for 2003 is Valandoula Dounia yep, my cousin won it… We didn't start Greek nights this season, but hopefully they will be back next season again. And of course the winner of the Paradise Beach Nude Backgammon Championship of Telendos is Mr Karl Petter of Norway, again.

The new mayor of Kalymnos is George Rousos & Katerina Klonari is in charge of tourism they are trying very hard to get things in order for next season. The old mayor left things in a mess and the council is in a huge debt. There will be a new boat running, the “Themis” for the transfers from Mastihari to Kalymnos & back again, hired by the Council, for quicker, easier & more convenient transfers. You can get in contact with Katarina Klonari on jckalymn@ath.forthnet.gr with any suggestions, ideas, complaints or for any type of information you may need.

All of us from OTR wish you well and thank you for your kindness and hope to see you in the near future. Take care until next time we meet.