Post by uptonogood on Jul 26, 2010 16:49:24 GMT 2
Hello to one and all, my name is Tony (uptonogood)
I’m not new to this forum, but I haven’t introduced myself to everyone before.
My first visit to Roda was in 1998. I stayed with my 2 children (Kelly and Jack) at the Melinda apartments (opposite the Roda Blue). My friends Terry and Jean (both now sadly departed) stayed at Nymfes studios about 400m along the road towards Sidari. Terry and Jean were like Auntie and Uncle to my kids and we had many holidays together. Both of them loved Roda and its people. Anyway we booked with a company called Golden Sun who eventually went bust a few years later. During this holiday we frequented many bars and restaurants around the village. One bar we visited several times was the bar at the Roda Oasis Hotel and had some great (and late) nights with Nikos and Costas and several others. My daughter Kelly being particularly besotted by a young lad called Arris or Aris that worked there!
In 1999, I returned to Corfu to get married for the 2nd time. My 2nd wife and I had 2 beautiful weeks in Paleokastritsa and during this time got married in Corfu Town. Our close friends and family also came out.
It’s a long story for another time, but we were married in the July, separated in August and divorced the following year. Basically made a huge mistake, but at least the holiday was a cracker!
Over the next 4 years our summer holidays consisted of Kefalos in Kos, Lixouri in Kefalonia and Afandou in Rhodes twice. All of which were fabulous. However, there was something missing on all of these holidays that is hard to explain and I couldn’t wait to go back to Roda. Time off work and finances meant that I could only really take 1 2 week summer holiday a year. (I worked full time for a large British Retailer and also brought up my kids on my own since they were aged 5 and 1 respectively).
Zooming forward, in June 2004 we returned to Roda (with Terry and Jean), but this time stayed at Theodoros. On the 2nd night of our holiday we had a walk up to the Roda Oasis and on entering the hotel bar; Nikos greeted me “Yiassou Tony”. After 6 years, unbelievably he still remembered my name! Little things like that make you feel good and reassure you that “you’re in the right place”.
Every year since 2005 we have had 2 weeks in Roda, staying at Theo’s. I have introduced 14 other people in that time to Roda and every one of them has loved it and either returned or vowed to return. Sadly Terry and Jean both passed away over the last 3 years and as a consequence my trips to Roda are always tinged with poignancy as I knew how much both of them loved Roda, and also how much they meant to me and my 2 children.
I think that 2 of the greatest things about Roda (apart from the climate and the food) are;
Firstly, its people (both ex pats and Greek/Corfiot) whom without exception make you feel at home and go out of their way to make sure you have great holiday. And….
Secondly, the fact that Roda isn’t a magnet for the worst type of export that Britain has to offer (Drunken, Obnoxious, Yobs), and is therefore appealing to all ages wanting a ‘bit’ of nightlife in a safe and friendly resort. This makes the resort particularly good for those teenagers (14-18ish) that still holiday with their family yet want to feel independent and safe out at night.
I also think that Roda has got the balance just about right, in terms of being authentic Greek/Corfiot mixed with British. It has to have a smattering of British bars and British entertainment alongside Greek Tavernas and bars because that’s what most British tourists who visit there want and expect. It certainly isn’t (and hopefully never will be) “Blackpool in the sun”. However, if you want the real Greek experience, with no British influence in sight, it can be found within easy reach on Corfu itself, or if you prefer on any other Greek Island (both the usual holiday destinations and the obscure ones)
Wherever you go in the world on holiday, there will always be some people that don’t like this or that. These people tend to be the type who moan if they find a fiver in the street, complaining it should have been a tenner!.
While I'm rambling on, I'd also like to thank Steve and Julie and anyone else involved in the running of this site and the forum. It certainly helps to keep me informed about Roda and also to ease the pain of not being there.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, but hello once again to everyone. I’m back in Roda with 3 friends and our four 16 year old boys on 2nd August.
Sas Efharisto para poli
Tony
I’m not new to this forum, but I haven’t introduced myself to everyone before.
My first visit to Roda was in 1998. I stayed with my 2 children (Kelly and Jack) at the Melinda apartments (opposite the Roda Blue). My friends Terry and Jean (both now sadly departed) stayed at Nymfes studios about 400m along the road towards Sidari. Terry and Jean were like Auntie and Uncle to my kids and we had many holidays together. Both of them loved Roda and its people. Anyway we booked with a company called Golden Sun who eventually went bust a few years later. During this holiday we frequented many bars and restaurants around the village. One bar we visited several times was the bar at the Roda Oasis Hotel and had some great (and late) nights with Nikos and Costas and several others. My daughter Kelly being particularly besotted by a young lad called Arris or Aris that worked there!
In 1999, I returned to Corfu to get married for the 2nd time. My 2nd wife and I had 2 beautiful weeks in Paleokastritsa and during this time got married in Corfu Town. Our close friends and family also came out.
It’s a long story for another time, but we were married in the July, separated in August and divorced the following year. Basically made a huge mistake, but at least the holiday was a cracker!
Over the next 4 years our summer holidays consisted of Kefalos in Kos, Lixouri in Kefalonia and Afandou in Rhodes twice. All of which were fabulous. However, there was something missing on all of these holidays that is hard to explain and I couldn’t wait to go back to Roda. Time off work and finances meant that I could only really take 1 2 week summer holiday a year. (I worked full time for a large British Retailer and also brought up my kids on my own since they were aged 5 and 1 respectively).
Zooming forward, in June 2004 we returned to Roda (with Terry and Jean), but this time stayed at Theodoros. On the 2nd night of our holiday we had a walk up to the Roda Oasis and on entering the hotel bar; Nikos greeted me “Yiassou Tony”. After 6 years, unbelievably he still remembered my name! Little things like that make you feel good and reassure you that “you’re in the right place”.
Every year since 2005 we have had 2 weeks in Roda, staying at Theo’s. I have introduced 14 other people in that time to Roda and every one of them has loved it and either returned or vowed to return. Sadly Terry and Jean both passed away over the last 3 years and as a consequence my trips to Roda are always tinged with poignancy as I knew how much both of them loved Roda, and also how much they meant to me and my 2 children.
I think that 2 of the greatest things about Roda (apart from the climate and the food) are;
Firstly, its people (both ex pats and Greek/Corfiot) whom without exception make you feel at home and go out of their way to make sure you have great holiday. And….
Secondly, the fact that Roda isn’t a magnet for the worst type of export that Britain has to offer (Drunken, Obnoxious, Yobs), and is therefore appealing to all ages wanting a ‘bit’ of nightlife in a safe and friendly resort. This makes the resort particularly good for those teenagers (14-18ish) that still holiday with their family yet want to feel independent and safe out at night.
I also think that Roda has got the balance just about right, in terms of being authentic Greek/Corfiot mixed with British. It has to have a smattering of British bars and British entertainment alongside Greek Tavernas and bars because that’s what most British tourists who visit there want and expect. It certainly isn’t (and hopefully never will be) “Blackpool in the sun”. However, if you want the real Greek experience, with no British influence in sight, it can be found within easy reach on Corfu itself, or if you prefer on any other Greek Island (both the usual holiday destinations and the obscure ones)
Wherever you go in the world on holiday, there will always be some people that don’t like this or that. These people tend to be the type who moan if they find a fiver in the street, complaining it should have been a tenner!.
While I'm rambling on, I'd also like to thank Steve and Julie and anyone else involved in the running of this site and the forum. It certainly helps to keep me informed about Roda and also to ease the pain of not being there.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, but hello once again to everyone. I’m back in Roda with 3 friends and our four 16 year old boys on 2nd August.
Sas Efharisto para poli
Tony