A couple of weeks ago I mentioned in a post on Facebook (I think it was either the rather excellent group "We're Mad about Greece and the Greek Language" or perhaps it might have been "Living on Rhodes Together", but I think it was the former) that I was a part-time excursion escort during the summer season. [Thinks again: Ah, yes, may also have been Destination Lindos. I'm definitely losing it...]
After I'd answered someone's query about the subject and told them about my work, someone else commented, rather curtly in my view, that the person to whom I was replying ought not to go on excursions, but rather ought to - and I quote "Give your money to the Greeks".
Now, regular readers of my ramblings will know that I usually write in a mildly amusing way (oh, yes I do!!) about life here on Rhodes. This post, however is about what to me is an important subject, so forgive me if it's a bit lacking in smiles. Thanks. I will look for opportunities though, trust me on that one.
See, the thing is, when me and the better half used to take holidays in Greece, we weren't the types to go on excursions, but that's not to say that those who do are in any way lacking in imagination or the independent spirit. It's purely a matter of "horses for courses" [two words that give Greek who are learning English nightmares, …see why?]. In my experience, which is now pretty extensive in this field, I have met guests on my trips of all different intellectual levels and social backgrounds. The thing they all have in common is the fact that, since they're on holiday, they like to take the stress out of the excursions and let someone else do the worrying for them. Nothing wrong with that, right? I've done this work since the summer of 2007 by the way and I've worked for a number of different companies here in Rhodes, so I can talk from inside knowledge on the subject.
So then, to this person's comment, "give it [your money] to the Greeks." Let me tell you something that I hope will be enlightening. Every company that I've worked for has been staffed entirely by Greeks, the coach drivers have all been Greeks and those running the boats we've used for excursions at sea have all been Greeks. The crews manning the boats have also all been Greeks. Without exception, these Greeks work seven days a week for six months during the season, often doing split shifts too. The boat owners who I can say with gratitude I can now call friends, all depend entirely on their contract with the excursion company for their living. Keeping a boat on the water is a very expensive business, often involving dry-docking during the winter months while the hull is repaired, painted and otherwise maintained, all of which costs a pretty penny.
Some of the owners of the boats have sunk their entire life's savings into the boat and without the excursions would be destitute. When you book an excursion for a day trip whilst on holiday out here in Greece you are most definitely giving your money to those who really need to earn it. Yes, the tour operator takes a cut, of course they do, but they entrust the entire operation of running their excursions to local Greek people, millions of which all across this great country would be very much poorer without such work. The coach drivers here on Rhodes often come from Thessalonika and don't see their wives and children for the entire season, because they're here ferrying folk to and from the airport to their accommodations and also taking them on day trips. OK, if you want to duck out of using the tour operator's transfer that's a personal choice and I don't have any argument with that. All I say is, don't talk out of your…. The coach driver is a Greek who needs the work. Fact.
On some excursions too, we also make use of local bars and tavernas, and guess what: …of course! the staff and owners are predominantly Greeks who absolutely depend on our patronage, especially with the growing cancerous threat of the dreaded all-inclusive, which is the real villain of the piece.
So, there you are folks, beef firmly off the chest. Incidentally, the company I work for here on Rhodes is a 100% Greek-run company which organizes excursions for innumerable tour operators, including Olympic Holidays from the UK. So, if you're staying in the South of the island this summer, you may well have the dubious privilege of my company if you come on one of the excursions.
One more point I will make. Many will say, if you're staying down South that is, "Don't take the excursion to Rhodes Town, take the bus." OK, do so by all means and I have no problem with that. But what I will say is this: Those who shell out a little more to come with me most definitely get their money's worth. They get door to door service, a guaranteed seat for the journey (which is shorter anyway), loads of useful info as we travel up and down the island, plus help when we get into town regarding all kinds of stuff that they'd have no idea about if they arrived in town on the bus with no one to ask about anything. Plus, should anything go wrong, they have the added insurance of knowing someone's there to sort it out.
You know what, I'm really looking forward to starting work again this summer. I'll probably be doing what we call the "Bay to Bay" a couple of times each week and "Rhodes Shopping" once. If you do read this and you come out here on holiday with Olympic, book an excursion and find that your escort is wearing a white T-shirt with "Ramblings from Rhodes - Google it!" on the front - it'll be me folks. Say hello won't you. AND, tell me when you get back in the evening that you didn't have a cracking day out!
Oh, and you'll be able to sleep easy knowing that the majority of the cash you shelled out went to help a dozen or more Greeks feed their families and pay their bills.
After I'd answered someone's query about the subject and told them about my work, someone else commented, rather curtly in my view, that the person to whom I was replying ought not to go on excursions, but rather ought to - and I quote "Give your money to the Greeks".
Now, regular readers of my ramblings will know that I usually write in a mildly amusing way (oh, yes I do!!) about life here on Rhodes. This post, however is about what to me is an important subject, so forgive me if it's a bit lacking in smiles. Thanks. I will look for opportunities though, trust me on that one.
See, the thing is, when me and the better half used to take holidays in Greece, we weren't the types to go on excursions, but that's not to say that those who do are in any way lacking in imagination or the independent spirit. It's purely a matter of "horses for courses" [two words that give Greek who are learning English nightmares, …see why?]. In my experience, which is now pretty extensive in this field, I have met guests on my trips of all different intellectual levels and social backgrounds. The thing they all have in common is the fact that, since they're on holiday, they like to take the stress out of the excursions and let someone else do the worrying for them. Nothing wrong with that, right? I've done this work since the summer of 2007 by the way and I've worked for a number of different companies here in Rhodes, so I can talk from inside knowledge on the subject.
So then, to this person's comment, "give it [your money] to the Greeks." Let me tell you something that I hope will be enlightening. Every company that I've worked for has been staffed entirely by Greeks, the coach drivers have all been Greeks and those running the boats we've used for excursions at sea have all been Greeks. The crews manning the boats have also all been Greeks. Without exception, these Greeks work seven days a week for six months during the season, often doing split shifts too. The boat owners who I can say with gratitude I can now call friends, all depend entirely on their contract with the excursion company for their living. Keeping a boat on the water is a very expensive business, often involving dry-docking during the winter months while the hull is repaired, painted and otherwise maintained, all of which costs a pretty penny.
Some of the owners of the boats have sunk their entire life's savings into the boat and without the excursions would be destitute. When you book an excursion for a day trip whilst on holiday out here in Greece you are most definitely giving your money to those who really need to earn it. Yes, the tour operator takes a cut, of course they do, but they entrust the entire operation of running their excursions to local Greek people, millions of which all across this great country would be very much poorer without such work. The coach drivers here on Rhodes often come from Thessalonika and don't see their wives and children for the entire season, because they're here ferrying folk to and from the airport to their accommodations and also taking them on day trips. OK, if you want to duck out of using the tour operator's transfer that's a personal choice and I don't have any argument with that. All I say is, don't talk out of your…. The coach driver is a Greek who needs the work. Fact.
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| On board the "Lindos" on last season's Bay to Bay cruise. |
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| Ditto |
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| This is the Magellanos, a boat I worked on a few years back. The owner Adonis is a gent. |
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| The Romantika, tied up in Mandraki. Another boat that depends on excursions for survival. |
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| Another shot from one of last season's bay to bay trips. |
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| Dimitri (front) and his dad Kostas (driving) ferry our guests ashore at Stegna for lunch during the Bay to Bay cruise. |
On some excursions too, we also make use of local bars and tavernas, and guess what: …of course! the staff and owners are predominantly Greeks who absolutely depend on our patronage, especially with the growing cancerous threat of the dreaded all-inclusive, which is the real villain of the piece.
So, there you are folks, beef firmly off the chest. Incidentally, the company I work for here on Rhodes is a 100% Greek-run company which organizes excursions for innumerable tour operators, including Olympic Holidays from the UK. So, if you're staying in the South of the island this summer, you may well have the dubious privilege of my company if you come on one of the excursions.
One more point I will make. Many will say, if you're staying down South that is, "Don't take the excursion to Rhodes Town, take the bus." OK, do so by all means and I have no problem with that. But what I will say is this: Those who shell out a little more to come with me most definitely get their money's worth. They get door to door service, a guaranteed seat for the journey (which is shorter anyway), loads of useful info as we travel up and down the island, plus help when we get into town regarding all kinds of stuff that they'd have no idea about if they arrived in town on the bus with no one to ask about anything. Plus, should anything go wrong, they have the added insurance of knowing someone's there to sort it out.
You know what, I'm really looking forward to starting work again this summer. I'll probably be doing what we call the "Bay to Bay" a couple of times each week and "Rhodes Shopping" once. If you do read this and you come out here on holiday with Olympic, book an excursion and find that your escort is wearing a white T-shirt with "Ramblings from Rhodes - Google it!" on the front - it'll be me folks. Say hello won't you. AND, tell me when you get back in the evening that you didn't have a cracking day out!
Oh, and you'll be able to sleep easy knowing that the majority of the cash you shelled out went to help a dozen or more Greeks feed their families and pay their bills.
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| Rhodes Old Town. Wish you were here? |
Very well said, John, and so true! We went on several excursions when we were in Greece last summer, and they were definitely worth it. Hope we can go on a Rhodes excursion in the next year or two.
ReplyDeleteAnd then perhaps Judy, we may finally meet!!
DeleteWell said John. We don't go on excursions but agree "horses for courses". The real villain is, as you say, the all inclusive. We were in Kolumbia about 6 or 7 years back, at the very beginning of the season. Chanced upon a small family run taverna, with all the family inside. They weren't officially open, but in true Greek style, rustled up some pork chops etc. They said they knew this would be their last season-- the all inclusive had killed them, and many others, off. Come on Syriza--keep one of your promises--stop the spread of the "Butlins" in Greece
ReplyDeleteYup, Anon. All Inclusive is the real problem the world over methinks. It's a shame that folk back home aren't made aware of what it's doing to the local folk at their fave holiday destinations when they're given the hard-sell by the tour operators at the time of booking.
DeleteHi John, I am more than a little puzzled about your motivation for writing this. I am on Facebook, mostly because my two sons are on it and it enables me to see what they are up to! However looking at the thing in general I wonder why I did. Most of the contributors seem to have English as a second language and communicate in something approximating to Pidgin. i fink it wood be gr8 if they dun inglish at skool like wot i dun. Quite why that remark motivated you to write your piece is beyond me, yet it obviously twanged a nerve. “Iligitum non carborundum”!
ReplyDeleteAnother aspect of Facebook, indeed its raison d’ĂȘtre, is a total lack of privacy. I am considered paranoid in my internet privacy measures. Facebook have to text me on every sign-in due to my universal “scorched earth” policy on cookies etc. This is why when you asked for some personal details I used your website to send a private message; I hope you got it.
Regarding the excursions you are, of course, quite correct. Now I have my own transport on Rhodes I no longer have need of such things, but before that I certainly did go on the odd one. On the Halki Visiting site there is much bemoaning about the excursions to Alimnia (for a picnic), and round the island, that no longer take place. It would appear that there are not enough excursions! For my part I am aware of the problems of organising such trips, but they are not impossible.
To my knowledge nobody does sportfishing round our islands. Greeks do not understand the concept; this why I get people wanting to come on my boat to do it. There is also eco tourism, instead of a pub crawl why not a country walk with someone versed in local botanical and zoological knowledge? There are some Greek holidaymakers who can rise above the Facebook/Club 18-30 level of intelligence! You may tell me that such activities already take place on the sophisticated east coast!
Finally; I recently had a conversation with a returning ex-pat Greek who commented on the contraction of the length of the season since he was last on the island. This is a country that needs to get into gear for obvious reasons. All I see is missed opportunities. Give the money to the Greeks? No, pay them for enjoyable services. If you have concern regarding extending the season and, by implication, extension of the frenzied activity of various trades, (You give the example of coach drivers) there are, perhaps, better business plans. A limited number of businesses, with a limited number of employees, charging the maximum, for the shortest period of time, doing a limited range of the same old services may not be the best way to go for a prosperous future.
Simon
Simon, it's not rocket science and I'm not into elitism. I simply felt strongly when I was rebuffed in a FB post by someone seeming to think that if one takes an excursion they are in some way betraying the locals who need the income. This was quite wrong and it is what I wanted to correct. I thought I'd made that quite clear. Maybe it's me. Not sure why you go on about the quality of the English here, or what connection that has to my post. Incidentally, one can sustain a level of privacy using Facebook if one knows how. The main thing is, if you don't want it out there, don't post it. Still and all, I'm glad I have indeed touched a nerve with you, for it seems to me that after your initial diatribe about the language (much of which I, of course, agree with) you seem between the lines to broadly be agreeing with me!
DeleteOK on that John!
DeleteI was just surprised that you reacted to someone writing something stupid on Facebook. It’s par for the course, because most of the contributors seem to be semi-literate and unafraid to share their ignorance with others! I was not referring to the quality of English on your blog!!!
Did you get my message on your site?
Yes I do agree with you and, going further, think more variety of activities could be offered.
The only saving grace with the “All Inclusive” is that some may return to take a more adventurous holiday.
Simon
Don't recall a message from you anywhere else, Simon. can you be more specific. Thanks for the reply, must admit to not being as araldite as you, so I misunderstood!!
DeleteAnother thought prompted by your final comment Simon, to the effect that some "AI" holidaymakers may return to take a more adventurous holiday", is this: I've had AI guests on some of my excursions while working for Thomson (TUI) a while back. Almost without exception they would tell me that they'd never do it again!! After half a dozen nights eating tasteless, mediocre food at the same table in the hotel restaurant with the same Brtish/Scandinavian/German holidaymakers, they were screaming to "go out", yet torn because they'd already paid for their food for the duration! Plus not a few would tell me that they hadn't seen a Greek since arriving at the "resort". So, of course, I'd water the seeds of discontent, wouldn't I...
DeleteErudite, maybe?
DeleteVicki
Mrs Brown, I can't believe that you didn't think I was making a joke!!! You REALLY think I can't spell erudite? How low your opinion of me has become!!
DeleteOops! Just thought it was another of your senior moments! Or maybe I've mislaid my sense of humour..........
DeleteHi John. Just Found your blog, though I've read all your books & enjoyed them. Agree with you about all inclusive, we've been coming to Lindos every June now for about 15 years & have seen the effect on the village & the residents who used to let their studios via the tour operators. Fortunately more people now are doing as we do & booking independently via the Internet. We've been on almost every excursion over the years & enjoyed them all. Last year we looked out for the one to Halki, but couldn't find it in the agents displays in Lindos. Can you point us to which one offers this? Your description of it makes us want to try it out. Thanks in advance. Sue
ReplyDeleteHello Sue, I like the epithet by the way, sounds like you enjoy a good wine! There are several companies doing the Halki excursion, but I worked for TUI when I did it. They're better known to the British as Thomson. If you go to their website you ought to be able to see which accommodations they do in and around Lindos. then you can book the excursion by tracking down a TUI rep and they'll be pleased to make your reservation.
DeleteIf you can't find a TUI rep, you can make the trip independently, but it would best involve hiring a car for at least one day. that way you can drive over to Kamiros Skala (see my "Nearby Islands" page) and board any one of three boats that make the crossing every day during the season. First departure is usually around 9.30am for a 4.00pm departure from Halki for the return. Hope you make it!
Thanks John, just enjoying a glass of red at the moment, Friday night is wine night...! Thanks for the tip, will look it up on Tui. We are booked at Maris in Lindos, got our favourite room with the balcony so counting down now to 3 June. We may see you on the Rhodes Town trip, will definitely accost you if we do. That's the one we do almost every year. Kind regards Sue
DeleteThe Maris Studios Sue? If so, you'll find it quite easy locating an Olympic rep to book the Rhodes Town trip. If all else fails, speak to Melanie who runs Lindos Reception, most peoples' arrival and departure point for Lindos accommodation (as you'll no doubt already know of course!), J.
DeleteYes Maris Studios John, we've stayed there several times. Thanks for the tips & we may see you in June. When I said I'd read all your books, that wasn't quite true, I'm saving the latest one to read on holiday, i'm sure I'll enjoy it just like all the others!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any objection to people posting their responses to my posts. But I take great exception to abuse or abusive words. The comment that I've removed here fell into that category I'm afraid. Plus, since I did read it first, it was the words of an ignoramus!!
Delete