03/08/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 03/08/23: Medium

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8862 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1315 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1284 €UR
$1 USD = 0.8838 €UR

Based on Alpha Bank exchange rates, these are widely used by exchange agencies in Greece.
Other banks likely to offer a different rate which may be marginally higher or lower.
Banks and foreign exchange offices normally charge standard 2% commission.
You may get a better rate changing your holiday money in advance at e.g the Post Office.
NB: some f-ex agencies advertise "No Commission".
Invariably, they deduct commission before they (don't) advertise the rate.
Foreign exchange offices are businesses, not charities.

Ten day weather forecast for Kefalonia:
This is an overall forecast, due to the mountainous terrain the weather can be very localised.
Updated forecast @ weather.com

Day, Date   Hi°/Lo°   Wind sp   Wet   Forecast
Thu 03/08   31°/21°   12 km/h   05%   Sunny
Fri 04/08   31°/22°   14 km/h   14%   Sunny
Sat 05/08   31°/21°   17 km/h   82%   Thunderstorms probable
Sun 06/08   28°/21°   21 km/h   24%   Sunny
Mon 07/08   29°/21°   23 km/h   10%   Sunny
Tue 08/08   30°/22°   22 km/h   07%   Sunny
Wed 09/08   30°/22°   20 km/h   03%   Sunny
Thu 10/08   30°/22°   19 km/h   03%   Sunny
Fri 11/08   31°/22°   17 km/h   02%   Sunny
Sat 12/08   30°/21°   18 km/h   02%   Sunny

[Maik]

Body of an 82 y-o foreign female recovered yesterday morning from the sea off Limenaria, Thasos

Body of a 63 y-o Greek male recovered yesterday morning from the sea at Itea, Fokida

Body of a 78 y-o Greek male recovered midday yesterday from the sea area of Plaz Avlakiou, Porto Rafti

Body of a 67 y-o foreign female recovered midday yesterday from the beach at Arkitsa, North Evian Gulf

[Maik]

USA flagged boat escorted into Argostoli port yesterday afternoon after reporting possible water inflow southeast of the island. No injuries and no marine pollution observed, boat confined to port until re-certified seaworthy.

[Maik]

Greece plans hourly caps on visitors to ancient Acropolis

Visits to the Acropolis of Athens, Greece’s most popular archaeological site, will be capped starting next month at a maximum 20,000 daily and subject to varying hourly entry limits, the Greek government said Wednesday.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the controls are needed to prevent bottlenecks and overcrowding at the UNESCO World Heritage site. As many as 23,000 people a day have been squeezing into the monument complex, mostly large groups visiting before noon.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/greece-plans-hourly-caps-on-visitors-to-ancient-acropolis/YHO6H4JJRFGD7LIZNRPFQSQGOM/

[Maik]

The spread of rented lounge chairs on Greece’s beaches brings a pledge to increase inspections

Greece’s finance minister promised Wednesday to intensify inspections of beach bars and other businesses renting out seaside chaise lounges and umbrellas, following complaints that non-paying island beachgoers can’t find a spot on the sand.

Private beaches are illegal in Greece, where the constitution stipulates that all coastal strips are state property with guaranteed public access.

On many Greek islands, it’s now difficult to find a beach without the rentals during the height of the summer tourist season.

Protest groups on some popular Aegean Sea resort islands, including Paros, Naxos and Serifos, allege that some entrepreneurs often far exceed the scope of their leases, taking up entire beaches with their wares and sometimes banning non-paying visitors from setting up on their turf.

Greek media have dubbed the protests “the beach towel revolt,” referring to the items beachgoers brought with them to sit on before the spread of rented chairs.

Greece’s top prosecutor ordered an investigation this week following the complaints.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217001/the-spread-of-rented-lounge-chairs-on-greeces-beaches-brings-a-pledge-to-increase-inspections/

[Maik]

Zante bouncers leave Brit looking 'like Elephant Man' for dancing in 'girls only' area

Jordan Prideaux says he was found "lying in a puddle of blood" and "unconscious with a cracked head" following a run-in with a gang of burly bouncers at a nightclub in Zante

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/zante-bouncers-leave-brit-looking-30621018

[Maik]

British holidaymaker, 24, who suffered a brutal beating in ‘unprovoked attack’ on Greek island is still in hospital a year later

Pete Roberts suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries while in Zakynthos.The attack in July last year that left him battling for his life in a coma for six weeks

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12369381/British-holidaymaker-24-suffered-brutal-beating-unprovoked-attack-Greek-island-hospital-year-later.html