FEEL FREE TO SCROLL DOWN AND FILL OUT IOS POLLS

FEEL FREE TO SCROLL DOWN AND FILL OUT IOS POLLS

Thursday, October 30, 2008

THE RISE AND FALL OF IOSPARTYISLAND.COM

FOR YEARS IOSPARTYISLAND.COM, A WEBSITE RAN BY ELLE AND PASTORN, WAS A WEBSITE WITH THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS WHO ALL HAD THE SAME THING IN COMMON..THEY LOVED THE GREEK PARTY ISLAND OF IOS. YOU COULD ALSO SIGN UP FOR A FREE EMAIL WITH THEM AS WELL AS CHECK OUT THEIR SECTIONS ON NIGHTCLUBS, RESTAURANTS, BEACHES, ETC. IF YOU WERE LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB, THEIR WERE SECTIONS FOR THAT AS WELL.

WELL, I HAVE HAD MANY, MANY EMAILS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRIED TO SIGN UP TO BE A MEMBER OF IOSPARTYISLAND.COM AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO. I HAVE TRIED TO EMAIL THEM AS WELL TO NO AVAIL. I ALSO NOTICED THEY TOOK MANY, IF NOT ALL, ADVERTISEMENTS OFF THE SITE. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON THERE?? IF ANYONE CAN LET ME KNOW WHY ELLE AND PASTORN HAVE LET THIS GEM TURN INTO A GHOST SITE, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

IOS SURVEY RESULTS

HERE ARE THE SURVEY STATS FOR IOS SEASON 2008:

*BEST NIGHTCLUB:
KANDI 67%
SCORPIONS 18%
DREAM 14%
PLANET IOS 9%


*BEST BAR:
SLAMMER BAR 33%
RED BULL 28%
SUPER FLY 20%
DISCO 69 18%
JONIS ELECTRIC 8%


*WORST TOURISTS:
ITALIANS 32%
FRENCH 17%
ISRAELIS 12.5%
GERMANS 11%
AUSSSIES 7%
USA/CANADA 5%
EASTERN EUROPEANS 5%
BRITS 4%
SCANDANAVIANS 3.5%
IRISH 3%


*FAVORITE MUSIC:
TECHNO/HOUSE 53%
ROCK/70'S/80'S 29%
HIP HOP/R&B 25%
REGGAE/CHILL 9%


*IOS PARTY HABITS:
BOOZE ONLY 76%
BOOZE AND WEED 13%
BOOZE, WEED, AND HARD STUFF 10%
NO BOOZE OR DOPE 1%


*HOW MANY NIGHTS ON IOS?
1-6 NIGHTS 18%
7-13 NIGHTS 32%
14-30 NIGHTS 11%
31-50 NIGHTS 14%
OVER 50 NIGHTS 25%


*BEST TIME TO STAY ON IOS
BEFORE JUNE 6%
JUNE 1 TO JULY 15 33%
JULY 15 TO AUGUST 23 48%
AUG 23 INTO SEPTEMBER 13%


*DOES YOUR COUNTRY USE THE EURO?
NO EURO 55%
YES EURO 45%



Thursday, July 10, 2008

GRAND OPENINGS THIS WEEKEND

THINGS ARE STARTING TO HEAT UP ON THE GREEK PARTY ISLAND OF IOS. THIS FRIDAY, SCORPIONS IS OPENING FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON AND PLANET IOS OPENS THE DAY AFTER ON SATURDAY. KANDI HAS ALREADY BEEN OPENED FOR OVER A WEEK AND THE MAIN ROAD IS STARTING TO BECOME LIVELY. WATCH FOR UPDATES!!!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

QUICK TIPPING COMMENT

HERE IS A COMMENT MADE ON THE "TIPPING ETIQUETTE ON IOS" PAGE:

I'm aware that most of my fellow Italians & indeed Europeans do not tip. Unfortunately, it's not a custom in Italy as the salaries for waiting are half-decent. To avoid any bitterness, I would recommend taking the American approach: when handing the bill to tourists, also leave a small 'brochure' explaining tipping etiquette. I'm sure it would work wonders.

DRUGS AND IOS


DRUGS AND IOS (UPDATE)

(UPDATE: MANY TRAVEL BOOKS SAY THAT GREECE HAS NO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WITH OPIATES IN THEM AND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO BRING THEM TO GREECE AS WELL. THESE BOOKS ARE 100% WRONG. IF YOU HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FROM YOUR HOME DOCTOR OR FROM A GREEK DOCTOR..YOU ARE 100% LEGAL. IF YOU ARE ON IOS AND YOU FORGOT YOUR PAINKILLERS BACK HOME AND YOU ARE BUGGING OUT..NO WORRIES!! GO SEE DR. YIANNIS ON THE MAIN ROAD AND TELL HIM YOUR AILMENTS.)

MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO IOS WONDER IF THE RUMOURS OF IT BEING A WILD AND CRAZY PARTY ISLAND ARE TRUE. WELL, IT IS DEFINITELY A PARTY ISLAND BUT DUE TO THE CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL DRUGS MANY YEARS AGO...IOS WENT FROM AN ISLAND WITH DRUGS SOMEWHAT AVAILABLE TO A PLACE THAT IS ALMOST TOTALLY DRY OF ANY PILLS, POT, OR POWDER. EXCEPT FOR THE TOURISTS WHO RISK SMUGGLING IN STUFF THEMSELVES, MANY PARTIERS ON THE ISLAND HAVE TO STICK TO ALCOHOL TO GET WASTED. HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM NORML.ORG:

Greek law makes no distinction between hard and soft drugs, although an interesting distinction that the law does make is between addicts and non-addicts. Drug use is only an offense when the user is a non-addict. Addicts obtaining drugs for personal use are compelled to treatment. An addict is defined as "any person who, having succumbed to the habit of drug use, is incapable of overcoming it without the help of specialized therapy." A specialist is enlisted by the court to draw up a report on anyone accused of or claiming to be an addict. Dependent users cannot be criminally prosecuted, but they are mandated to treatment for up to one year at a detoxification center. Non-addicts acquiring drugs for personal use is a crime punishable by two to five years of prison. The length of the sentence depends on the amount of drugs obtained and/or possessed. Possession by non-addicts with a view to use is not a specific offense, but it is covered indirectly under the laws of acquisition. Trafficking through negligence results in up to one year imprisonment while trafficking given aggravating circumstances carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison.

SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER YOU CAN GO TO JAIL JUST FOR SMOKING A SPLIFF WITH YOUR MATES. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU STAY CLEAN WHILE YOU ARE IN GREECE. BUT IF YOU HAVE TO DO DOPE, PLEASE TRY AND KEEP IT OUT OF VIEW. I SEEN SOME KIDS SMOKING POT AT FAR OUT BEACH IN FRONT OF EVERYONE WITH BIG, DUMB SMILES ON THEIR FACES. LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THAT AN UNDERCOVER COP THAT LOOKED LIKE A 17 YEAR OLD BUSTED SOME BLOKE DOING THE SAME THING THE WEEK BEFORE AND THEN RAIDED HIS ROOM AND CONFISCATED A WHOLE KILO OF LOW GRADE SMOKE. IF YOU SMOKE POT, DO IT ON YOUR BALCONY OR EVEN BETTER INSIDE YOUR ROOM. CHANCES ARE, THE HOTEL OWNER WANTS YOU TO HAVE FUN AND WILL NOT SNITCH ON HIS CUSTOMERS ANYWAY. IF YOU DO HARDER DRUGS, MAKE SURE YOU DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND HAVE THE EMERGENCY ROOM PHONE NUMBER ON YOU AS WELL. TRY NOT TO CARRY STUFF AROUND THE ISLAND AS YOU PARTY. BELIEVE ME, THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS CALL YOUR PARENTS TO TELL THEM YOU ARE SPENDING THE REST OF YOUR VACATION IN JAIL. REMEMBER, UNDERCOVERS AND THEIR INFORMANTS ARE ON THE PROWL. 

Monday, June 23, 2008

MAIN ROAD IOS: DREAM

NIGHTCLUB NAME: DREAM (FORMERLY SWEET IRISH DREAM)
OWNER: NOT SURE YET
LOCATION: MAIN ROAD (NEXT TO PLANET IOS)
DATE OPENED: JUNE 19, 2008
VIP SECTION: NO
BARS: THREE
RESTROOM: (I RATE IT 4 OUT 5)

DETAILS: DREAM IS AN INDOOR NIGHTCLUB WITH A KIND OF IRISH PUB FEEL. IT'S NOT THE BIGGEST CLUB ON THE ISLAND BUT IS BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD AT LEAST 500 PEOPLE COMFORTABLY. THE WOOD DECOR GIVES IT A WARM FEEL AND THE BARMEN THERE ARE GREAT. THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING, DIMITRIS ZACHEOS, HAS DECIDED TO RENT IT OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND CONCENTRATE ON HIS OTHER CLUB, SCORPIONS.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

MAIN ROAD IOS: PLANET IOS

NIGHTCLUB NAME: PLANET IOS
OWNER: JOHN BASIL
LOCATION: MAIN ROAD (NEXT TO SWEET IRISH)
YEAR OPENED: 2004
VIP SECTION: YES
BARS: THREE
RESTROOM: (I RATE IT 3.5 OUT 5)

DETAILS: PI IS AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR NIGHTCLUB WITH A BIGGER OUTDOOR THAN INDOOR. IT CLAIMS TO BE THE BIGGEST CLUB ON ISLAND AT 2000 SQUARE METRES. IN 2004, IT WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY CLUB ON IOS TO BE FEATURED IN DJ MAGAZINE WHEN THEY SIGNED WORLD CLASS DJ'S LIKE ANTHONY PAPPA, ANDY FARLEY, MISS BEHAVIN, SARAH G, SCOTT PROJECT AS WELL AS OTHERS. IN 2007, PLANET IOS BECAME THE KING OF WET TSHIRT NIGHT WITH BIG CASH PRIZES (I THINK 1ST PLACE RECEIVED €500) AND GIGANTIC CROWDS. ONE NIGHT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE FOR THE 1ST CONTEST OF THE SEASON. IT GETS PRETTY WILD AS THE CONTESTANTS EVENTUALLY GET PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY NUDE!! WITH SO MANY COUCHES, BEAN BAGS, AND HIDING SPOTS..PI IS KNOWN FOR A PLACE TO BUMP INTO A DRUNK COUPLE HAVING SEX RIGHT THERE IN THE SHADOWS!! AND SOMETIMES EVEN IN FRONT OF EVERYONE WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CHEARING IT ON!!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

MAIN ROAD IOS: "KANDI NIGHTCLUB"

THIS IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THE CURRENT SITUATION ON THE MAIN ROAD OF IOS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW THINGS WORK ON IOS, BASICALLY YOU DRINK IN THE VILLAGE EARLY ON AND WHEN IT GETS TO ABOUT 1AM EVERYONE FLOODS TO THE MAIN ROAD. SINCE 64% OF OUR VIEWERS VOTED KANDI THEIR FAVORITE NIGHTCLUB, WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THEM.

KANDI OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME SUMMER 2007 AND WAS PACKED EVERY NIGHT FROM 1:30AM UNTIL SUNRISE ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON. IT WAS RUN BY THE ASTRA CREW AND OWNED BY A GREEK-AMERICAN FAMILY. THIS PLACE IS SITUATED SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN ROAD AND IS THE PERFECT SIZE. WITH ITS PLUSH COUCHES, IT IS BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE ROOM TO DANCE (UNLIKE THE PLACES IN THE VILLAGE) BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO HAVE A COZY FEELING WITH AN AWESOME POSITVE VIBE. THE LARGE CHOICE OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF DRINKS WERE ALWAYS COOL.

THE DJ THERE WAS TOP NOTCH AND WOULD PLAY THE BEST DANCE MUSIC AS WELL AS PLAY SONGS FROM SCANDANAVIAN COUNTRIES OCCASIONALLY. I DO NOT REALLY DANCE VERY MUCH BUT WHEN AT KANDI I GOT SMASHED AND DANCED FOREVER!! THEY HAVE AN OUTSIDE PART WHERE THERE ARE ALWAYS HOT CHICKS TO TALK TO WITHOUT THE MUSIC BLASTING SO LOUD. NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT KANDI WAS THAT THERE WERE USUALLY MORE GIRLS THEN GUYS. NO ONE REALLY LIKES A COCK FIGHT, EVEN CHICKS!! LOL

Saturday, May 3, 2008

GREEK ISLANDS VOTED #1 IN EUROPE

The Greek Islands were voted on Thursday as the top European location in a survey of the world's 100 best travel destinations. Seven European cities were in the top 20, according to Internet travel advisory service TripAdvisor.

Experts said despite the current economic crisis, rising fuel costs, environmental concerns and airport chaos, traveling was still as popular as ever -- particularly to Europe.

In its inaugural travelers' choice survey, taking into account the opinion of the world's largest online travel community, the Greek Islands were voted the fifth most popular world destination.

The Austrian capital Salzburg was the next most favorite European destination while the spa resort town of Bath was the highest-ranking British destination. Five UK locations made the top 100. New Zealand topped the international survey. Other European locations to make the top 20 include Siena, in Italy (15), Dingle in Ireland's south-west (18) and the Belgium city of Bruges (20).

"Despite dire predictions about economic downturns, rising fuel costs, environmental concerns and airport chaos, travelers continue to beat a path to destinations such as these that have that the 'X factor'."

The locations were determined by an analysis from the website that is visited by about 25 million users a month. It combined input from travelers' favorite places, popular hits from the website's six million registered users as well as analysis of forums and summaries from about 15 million reviews.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

EURO GOING DOWN? GOOD FOR GREECE?

THE PAST WEEK OR SO, AFTER MONTHS OF RISING, THE EURO HAS DROPPED CONSIDERABLY AGAINST THE US DOLLAR AND BRITISH POUND AS WELL AS OTHER WORLD CURRENCIES. THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR GREEK TOURISM BECAUSE THERE WAS TALK OF A LOW TURNOUT FROM COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EURO ZONE. HOPEFULLY, THE EURO WILL CONTINUE TO GO DOWN JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED.

Friday, April 18, 2008

AUSTRALIAN TOURISTS PREFER GREECE

The number of Australian tourists visiting Greece this year is expected to rise by 7 to 10 percent, according to the Director of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) office in Sydney. Greece is gradually becoming a popular destination for Australian tourists and, based on all indications, the upward trend will continue, according to the GNTO head, speaking on the occasion of the Travel Expo tourist exhibition held in Melbourne.

Some 100,000 Australian tourists visit Greece annually, and the increased interest currently recorded is attributed to the country’s promotion abroad through the successfully held 2004 Olympic Games and the tourism promotion campaigns launched in various parts of the world.

On the other hand, the Euro has smashed the British Pound and the American Dollar. 2.5 million Brits come to Greece every summer as well as 353,000 Americans. The weak dollar will not keep Greek-Americans from coming to Greece but the usual American tourist may shy away from Europe for the time being. The question is how many Brits will stay in the UK or leave Europe all together this summer?

But wait, there's a glimmer of hope..the Germans. More than two Million Germans are supposed to come to Greece summer 2008. I may be wrong, but I have noticed many Germans come to Ios June and early July. And of course, the infamous Italians will invade Ios in August..1.2 million of them. Oh yes, let's not forget the new players on the Island..the Irish and the Norwegians!!

The Irish (0ver 60,000) have been coming to Greece for years, but for the first time many are coming on vacation..not work..and they have plenty O'money!! It also seems like half of them come to Ios. Also, thanks to Sunrise Hotel making a deal with a travel agency in Norway, there are plenty of Norwegians coming to Ios during the past few years. And for the guys who didn't know..Norwegian girls are super hot and dress top notch!! Over 300,000 come to Greece annualy. Over 730,000 Dutch, 492,000 Austria, 417,000 Sweden, 363,000 Belgium, 171,000 Cyprus, 161,000 Finland and 161,000 from Spain. Only 30,000 come from Latin America.

Lastly, approximately 600,000 French and 109,000 Canadians come for fun and sun in Greece. More than ever before people from FYROM, Serbia, and Poland have swarmed Ios to work for the summer. Over 3.6 million people come from Eastern Europe mostly to work. Ios used to have many Israeli 18-year-olds a few years ago, but after the major carrier in Israel stopped flying non-stop to Santorini and Ios lost the bungy jump at Far Out Beach..Ios did not have as many Israelis as before. That's ok, because when you had the Italians AND the Israeli teens acting like drunken monkeys..Ios was a lot like the Planet Of The Apes except with motor scooters..lol.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

TIPPING ETIQUETTE ON IOS

"TIPPING IS NOT A PLACE IN CHINA"..LOL. THAT IS WHAT WAS WRITTEN ON A SIGN AT "THE DUBLINER" ON THE MAIN ROAD BEFORE THEY CLOSED. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? IT MEANS "PLEASE GIVE TIPS." SOME PEOPLE MAY WONDER WHAT IS THE PROPER ETTIQUETE FOR TIPPING ON IOS. WELL, LET'S DIG A BIT DEEPER.

FIRST, YOU HAVE YOUR AUSSIES. WHY DO AUSSIES NOT TIP? ARE THEY CHEAP BASTARDS? NO, THEY ARE NOT. IT'S JUST THAT IN AUSTRALIA, TRADITIONALLY THE TIP IS ALREADY ADDED TO THE BILL. SO, AUSSIES (BLESS THEIR HEARTS) USUALLY DO NOT KNOW ANY BETTER. WHAT ABOUT ITALIANS? ACCORDING TO THE GIRLS AT SEVEN-ELEVEN CAFE, ITALIANS DO NOT TIP AND I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHY. OF COURSE, THE AMERICANS TIP LIKE NO OTHER NATIONALITY. IN THE STATES, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO LEAVE 10-20% OF THE BILL (BEFORE THE TAX). 15% WOULD BE THE AVERAGE WHILE 20% OR MORE WOULD BE FOR SOMEONE THAT DID A LOT OF RUNNING BACK AND FORTH FOR YOU AND WAS SUPER FRIENDLY.

HERE'S SOMETHING I FOUND ON THE INTERNET ABOUT TIPPING:

There's evidence that tipping goes back at least to the age of the Romans, but human nature being what it is, it could just as easily date from the invention of money. Luckily for us, etymologists have managed to come up with a selection of deeply fascinating etymologies for the phrase "to tip." The dullest and most likely has it coming from the Latin stips, meaning "gift."

The most charming explanation refers us back to the days of Dr. Johnson and his eighteenth century circle of wits. Upon entering his local coffee shop, Dr. Johnson would drop a few pence in a box labeled "To Insure Prompt Service" ("T.I.P.S"--get it?) in order to encourage a greater display of vigor on the part of the generally listless attendants. Tipping spread from England to colonial America, but after the revolution it was frowned upon (temporarily) as a hangover from the British class system. One only tipped one's social inferiors, which, lest we forget, did not exist in the brave new world.

Unfortunately, the working class eventually got around to swallowing its pride, and tipping returned with all the fervor it possesses today. Even the Communist countries have not entirely eliminated the practice. These days, of course, taxi drivers and wait persons depend on tips for a substantial part of their income. If you didn't tip, presumably they'd expect to be paid more, and your restaurant bills and taxi fares would consequently be higher. The fifteen percent standard is mostly a question of what the market will bear. In New York, the figure these days are twenty percent; European restaurants generally add a ten percent gratuity to the bill.

SO, MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO TRY AND TIP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. IT'S GOOD KARMA AND YOU HELP OUT PEOPLE WHO NEED IT PROBABLY MORE THAN YOU.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

IOS PREPARES FOR 2008 SEASON

BUSINESS OWNERS AND ISLAND RESIDENTS ALIKE PREPARE FOR A BUSY SEASON AFTER SUFFERING LOSSES FROM SLOW SUMMER SEASONS DUE TO THE POST 9/11 TOURIST DEPRESSION AS WELL AS THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES AND 2006 WORLD CUP.

YOU’D FIGURE THAT SINCE THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES WHERE HELD IN THE GREEK CAPITAL OF ATHENS, IOS SHOULD HAVE MADE PLENTY OF CASH..RIGHT? WRONG. A MAJORITY OF OLYMPIC SPECTATORS WERE EITHER FAMILY OF THE ATHLETES OR JOURNALIST REPORTING ON THE GAMES. UNLIKE THE USUAL TOURIST WHO VISITS GREECE, THEY SKIPPED THE BEAUTIFUL GREEK ISLES AND WENT BACK HOME.

TO TOP IT OFF, ALL OF THE USUAL VISITORS WHO CAME TO IOS YEAR AFTER YEAR WERE AFRAID OF THE OVERWHELMING CROWDS, THE HIGH PRICES, AND THE THREAT OF TERRORISM THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT FROM THE FIRST GAMES SINCE THE SEPTEMBER 11TH BOMBINGS. WELL, ON ALL OF THE ISLANDS, THERE WERE NO CROWDS, NO HIGH PRICES, AND NO TERRORIST ACTS EVER MATERIALIZED.

MANY CLUB OWNERS WERE DEVASTATED BY THE RIDICULOUSLY LOW NUMBER OF TOURISTS. SOME THREW IN THE TOWEL AND WENT BROKE. THEY WERE HOPING THE 2004 SEASON WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST SEASON EVER. SOME NIGHTCLUBS GOT SO DESPERATE FOR CUSTOMERS THAT THEY PRACTICALLY GAVE DRINKS OUT FOR FREE.

THE 2005 SEASON WAS MUCH BETTER AS PEOPLE WHO WATCHED THE GAMES ON TV DURING THE 2004 SUMMER NOW WANTED TO CHECK OUT THIS ANCIENT LAND AND IT’S HAPPENING ISLANDS.

BUT THE 2006 SEASON TOOK A SLIGHT DIP THAT WAS NOT AS BAD AS THE 2004 SEASON BUT NOT AS GOOD AS 2005. MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE USUAL VISITORS WHO COME EVERY YEAR WENT TO GERMANY INSTEAD TO WATCH THE WORLD CUP.

WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS THIS SEASON..THERE IS NO OLYMPICS IN EUROPE, NO WORLD CUP (THOUGH THERE IS THE EURO CUP) AND THE HOTELS ON IOS ISLAND ARE REPORTING UNUSUALLY EARLY RESERVATIONS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PUBLICITY FROM THE OLYMPICS IS REALLY GOING TO PAY OFF.

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF SEEING HOTELS WITH NO OCCUPANCY SIGNS OR HIGHER PRICES FOR ROOMS, FOOD, DRINK, ETC. IOS IS STILL ONE OF THE LEAST COSTLIEST ISLANDS AND HAS ALSO BUILT MANY NEW HOTELS.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

FRENCH DEEMED WORST TOURIST

It's a debate that will never be definitively decided, but for the time being, the French are officially the worst tourists in Europe according to a 2007 survey of 15,000 European hoteliers.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the same survey has determined that the very best tourists are the Japanese. Americans, despite the bad rap they usually receive, were deemed the second best--although this was a hollow victory as the Americans were also voted the worst dressed tourists according to the same survey. But everyone loves a big tipper and the Americans always tip big when they come to Ios!!

The five worst tourists according to the survey come from the following countries:

1. France
2. India
3. China
4. Russia
5. Britain

PS: The Brits on Ios rock!!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

DRUGS AND IOS

MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO IOS WONDER IF THE RUMOURS OF IT BEING A WILD AND CRAZY PARTY ISLAND ARE TRUE. WELL, IT IS DEFINITELY A PARTY ISLAND BUT DUE TO THE CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL DRUGS MANY YEARS AGO...IOS WENT FROM AN ISLAND WITH DRUGS SOMEWHAT AVAILABLE TO A PLACE THAT IS ALMOST TOTALLY DRY OF ANY PILLS, POT, OR POWDER. EXCEPT FOR THE TOURISTS WHO RISK SMUGGLING IN STUFF THEMSELVES; MANY PARTIERS ON THE ISLAND HAVE TO STICK TO ALCOHOL TO GET WASTED. HERE IS AN EXERPT FROM NORML.ORG:

Greek law makes no distinction between hard and soft drugs, although an interesting distinction that the law does make is between addicts and non-addicts. Drug use is only an offense when the user is a non-addict. Addicts obtaining drugs for personal use are compelled to treatment. An addict is defined as "any person who, having succumbed to the habit of drug use, is incapable of overcoming it without the help of specialized therapy." A specialist is enlisted by the court to draw up a report on anyone accused of or claiming to be an addict. Dependent users cannot be criminally prosecuted, but they are mandated to treatment for up to one year at a detoxification center. Non-addicts acquiring drugs for personal use is a crime punishable by two to five years of prison. The length of the sentence depends on the amount of drugs obtained and/or possessed. Possession by non-addicts with a view to use is not a specific offense, but it is covered indirectly under the laws of acquisition. Trafficking through negligence results in up to one year imprisonment while trafficking given aggravating circumstances carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison.

SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER YOU CAN GO TO JAIL JUST FOR SMOKING A SPLIFF WITH YOUR MATES. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU STAY CLEAN WHILE YOU ARE IN GREECE. BUT IF YOU HAVE TO DO DOPE, PLEASE TRY AND KEEP IT OUT OF VIEW. I SEEN SOME KIDS SMOKING POT AT FAR OUT BEACH IN FRONT OF EVERYONE WITH BIG, DUMB SMILES ON THEIR FACES. LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THAT AN UNDERCOVER COP THAT LOOKED LIKE A 17 YEAR OLD BUSTED SOME BLOKE DOING THE SAME THING THE WEEK BEFORE AND THEN RAIDED HIS ROOM AND CONFISCATED A WHOLE KILO OF LOW GRADE SMOKE.

IF YOU SMOKE POT, DO IT ON YOUR BALCONY OR EVEN BETTER INSIDE YOUR ROOM. CHANCES ARE, THE HOTEL OWNER WANTS YOU TO HAVE FUN AND WILL NOT SNITCH ON HIS CUSTOMERS ANYWAY.

IF YOU DO HARDER DRUGS, MAKE SURE YOU DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND HAVE THE EMERGENCY ROOM PHONE NUMBER ON YOU AS WELL. TRY NOT TO CARRY STUFF AROUND THE ISLAND AS YOU PARTY. BELIEVE ME, THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS CALL YOUR PARENTS TO TELL THEM YOU ARE SPENDING THE REST OF YOUR VACATION IN JAIL. REMEMBER, UNDERCOVERS AND THEIR INFORMANTS ARE ON THE PROWL.

IOS COUGH: FACT OR FICTION?

MANY PEOPLE COME TO IOS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO EITHER PARTY OR TO WORK ON THE ISLAND AND PARTY. THE ONES THAT COME TO WORK USUALLY STAY ON THE ISLAND FOR 4 TO 12 WEEKS. IT’S FUNNY HOW MANY OF THESE PEOPLE DEVELOP A COUGH AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS OR SO. EVERY ONE SEEMS TO KNOW ABOUT THE INFAMOUS “IOS COUGH”.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE BACTERIA SOUP MANY BARS WASH THEIR GLASSES IN. ONCE AGAIN, RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS ON IOS WASH THEIR DISHES AND GLASSES IN STEAMING HOT DISHWASHERS TO MAKE SURE THEIR CUSTOMERS DO NOT CATCH A BUG. BUT MANY BARS IN THE VILLAGE PRACTICE THE AGE OLD PRACTICE OF WASHING THEIR GLASSES IN COLD, SOAPY WATER OUT OF A BUCKET WITH BRISTLES. NOT ALL OF THEM BUT MANY OF THEM.

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT A BAR YOU ARE VISITING DOES NOT HAVE A DISH WASHING MACHINE, I RECOMMEND STICKING TO BOTTLES OF YOUR FAVORITE BEER OR BREEZER RATHER THAN DRINKING OUT OF THEIR GLASSES. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!!

ALCOHOL OR GASOLINE?

HAVE YOU EVER GONE TO A NIGHTCLUB OR BAR AND HAD A FEW DRINKS ONLY TO WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING WITH THE FEELING LIKE YOU WERE POISONED? WELL, ON IOS SOME OF THE BUSINESS’ THAT SELL ALCOHOL EITHER SUBSTITUTE THE GOOD STUFF WITH CHEAP WELL BOOZE OR POSSIBLY EVEN HOME MADE MOONSHINE.

THE AVERAGE PERSON CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. A GOOD WAY TO GET THE GOOD STUFF IS TO INSIST THE OWNER OR MANAGER HAS A SHOT WITH YOU. IF HE PULLS THE BOTTLE THAT IS BEHIND THE FIRST BOTTLE, THEN CHANCES ARE THE BOTTLE THAT WAS IN FRONT OF THAT ONE WAS THE CHEAP STUFF. USUALLY IT IS THE SMALL BARS THAT DO THAT. THEY WOULD RATHER MAKE A QUICK EURO OR TWO OFF OF UNSUSPECTING TOURISTS RATHER THAN TRY FOR RETURN CUSTOMERS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE BIGGER NIGHTCLUBS ON THE MAIN ROAD ALREADY MAKE MONEY AND WOULD RATHER GIVE YOU THE GOOD STUFF SO YOU COME BACK AGAIN EVERY NIGHT. IN OTHER WORDS, TO MAKE A FEW EXTRA EUROS, SOME PEOPLE DO NOT CARE IF YOU ARE TOO SICK TO PARTY THE NEXT DAY.

ANOTHER THING TO WATCH OUT FOR IS BOTTLED WATER. I WENT TO SCORPIONS 5 YEARS AGO AND THEY PRETENDED TO OPEN A FRESH SMALL BOTTLE OF WATER FOR ME. ACTUALLY, I NOTICED THAT AND ASKED FOR AN UPOPENED ONE. HE ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY RAN OUT AND HAD TO FILL EMPTY BOTTLES WITH TAP WATER. I WAS WASTED AND JUST LAUGHED. BUT THE NEXT DAY I WAS WONDERING WHO DRANK THOSE BOTTLES BEFORE THEY WERE REFILLED. IF YOU ARE BUYING WATER, INSIST ON A FRESH BOTTLE.