of bathrooms and breakfastso
Jun 15th, 2016, 11:15 AM
#24
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Good advice on the so-called "turkish toilets" (the hole w. 2 footrests), but honestly, how often has anyone encountered one in recent years?? Ive been visiting Greece since '99, and way back then I encountered the 2-foot type in the Athens bus station (upgraded since, thank god), and in a seldom visited Facility outside a ruins in Southern crete, and I can't remember any other and I was in a LOT of small villages ... in 11 other trips I've very very seldom come across them... maybe just lucky, but I think they not exist more in memory than reality.
Jun 15th, 2016, 01:00 PM
#25
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The only place in Greece I have seen standing toilets are the two bus stations in Athens (this year). My friend and I negotiated with the attendant and were able to use the western style one at Loisson station.
I've been to Greece so many times now that I am used to the toilet paper. It is understandable that they do not want the sewer system overloaded due to the ancient piping system in some locations.
I've been to Greece so many times now that I am used to the toilet paper. It is understandable that they do not want the sewer system overloaded due to the ancient piping system in some locations.
Jun 15th, 2016, 03:23 PM
#26
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Many years ago when visiting Symi I saw the result of paper being flushed down the loo. We were in a small hotel with around five bedrooms and felt very sorry for the owners and staff who were trying very hard to mop up, clean and disinfect almost the whole of the ground floor after a blockage. Then there was the smell!
Mind, in the very many years I’ve visited both mainland Greece and its islands that was the only time I saw it happen so perhaps most folks do use the waste bin.
Bill
Mind, in the very many years I’ve visited both mainland Greece and its islands that was the only time I saw it happen so perhaps most folks do use the waste bin.
Bill
Jun 15th, 2016, 10:28 PM
#27
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Greeks always follow the custom of not throwing toilet paper in the toilet.... and they do also in their modern, recently build houses...
Although i do it as well in restaurants, cafes and other public facilities.. i refuse to do it at home, as i find it disgusting to keep a separate bin for used toilet paper.... ( and i am not the only one)
Although i do it as well in restaurants, cafes and other public facilities.. i refuse to do it at home, as i find it disgusting to keep a separate bin for used toilet paper.... ( and i am not the only one)
Jun 15th, 2016, 11:43 PM
#28
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It's good to hear from clausar, a Greek who lives in Athens and always gives correct information.
One place I don't worry about using the bin is on modern Greek ferries, which have their own septic systems (but still have bins next to the toilets).
Best practice is to follow the wishes of hotel owners, especially on islands that struggle to keep up with demand from tourists who flood (no pun intended) the islands in summer. The bins are emptied daily, and most have pop-up lids. You quickly get used to it, and I find myself absent-mindedly looking for the bin when I first return home.
One place I don't worry about using the bin is on modern Greek ferries, which have their own septic systems (but still have bins next to the toilets).
Best practice is to follow the wishes of hotel owners, especially on islands that struggle to keep up with demand from tourists who flood (no pun intended) the islands in summer. The bins are emptied daily, and most have pop-up lids. You quickly get used to it, and I find myself absent-mindedly looking for the bin when I first return home.
Jun 16th, 2016, 12:04 AM
#29
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The first thing I got rid of n the family house in France was the platic shower curtain. Even whilst I knew when it was cleaned and how (by me) I hated the thing.
Standing toilets... I was once in Marrocco and half drunk. Ok, totally plastered. And had to use the toilet. When you need at least one arm on one wall to keep your balance, you are not helped...
When we were in Athens last and the toilets were as usual...
Standing toilets... I was once in Marrocco and half drunk. Ok, totally plastered. And had to use the toilet. When you need at least one arm on one wall to keep your balance, you are not helped...
When we were in Athens last and the toilets were as usual...
Jun 16th, 2016, 12:50 AM
#31
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They probably go to a landfill. I suspect resident in more rural areas burn it.
When I was in Kazakhstan, the house I stayed at would burn it every evening.
It burns perfectly fine (why wouldn't it?)
When I was in Kazakhstan, the house I stayed at would burn it every evening.
It burns perfectly fine (why wouldn't it?)
Jun 16th, 2016, 12:52 AM
#32
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<i>Can we talk about breakfast now?</i>
ok
I loved eating a bowl of thick Greek yogurt with honey every morning. I also finally learned the correct way to use the honey dipper (a skill that they typically do not teach in white America).
ok
I loved eating a bowl of thick Greek yogurt with honey every morning. I also finally learned the correct way to use the honey dipper (a skill that they typically do not teach in white America).
Jun 16th, 2016, 12:57 AM
#33
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Toilets are always a popular topic on posts tagged for Greece. ;-)
<I>Can we talk about breakfast now?</I> Yes, please! How shall we begin? My favourite breakfast, wherever I go in Greece, is fruit and yoghurt along with espresso or cappuccino. Nothing beats Greek yoghurt, and Greek honey is delicious. Fresh fruit, of course, is very healthy, and I can't get along without a morning coffee.
<I>Can we talk about breakfast now?</I> Yes, please! How shall we begin? My favourite breakfast, wherever I go in Greece, is fruit and yoghurt along with espresso or cappuccino. Nothing beats Greek yoghurt, and Greek honey is delicious. Fresh fruit, of course, is very healthy, and I can't get along without a morning coffee.
Jun 16th, 2016, 01:52 AM
#34
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Yoghurt! OMG. Incredibly creamy deliciousness slathered liberally with wonderfully aromatic honey!
My life has never been the same. I have been in a yoghurt quest ever since. Happily I recently found a place where they sell homemade yoghurt which is a close-enough substitute. Of course it doesn't taste like 'vacation' but, still good.
MmePerdu, you are not alone! Shower curtains sticking make me gag.
Jan, I think I only 'experienced' two straddle toilets in 3-weeks. One in Meteors and another in a truck stop in the Peloponnese boonies.
My life has never been the same. I have been in a yoghurt quest ever since. Happily I recently found a place where they sell homemade yoghurt which is a close-enough substitute. Of course it doesn't taste like 'vacation' but, still good.
MmePerdu, you are not alone! Shower curtains sticking make me gag.
Jan, I think I only 'experienced' two straddle toilets in 3-weeks. One in Meteors and another in a truck stop in the Peloponnese boonies.
Jun 16th, 2016, 07:36 AM
#35
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so glad we are onto breakfasts - I've never seen anything like the sumptuous buffets (especially in Naxos) except in Portugal. I love the salad offerings at breakfast too - if I avoid the cakes it becomes a really healthy way to start the day - plus the cappucino on offer - what American hotel would provide that free of charge!
re the standing straddle toilets - the only place in Greece we ran into it was the Meteora monasteries (my secret suspicion is that the monks are a bit amvivalant about all the visitors ...but then maybe I'm being unkind - it's gotta be a challenge to get anything constructed let alone modern plumbing up there) I'm still a bit traumatized by one particularly disgusting one in Portugal by the side of the road
re the standing straddle toilets - the only place in Greece we ran into it was the Meteora monasteries (my secret suspicion is that the monks are a bit amvivalant about all the visitors ...but then maybe I'm being unkind - it's gotta be a challenge to get anything constructed let alone modern plumbing up there) I'm still a bit traumatized by one particularly disgusting one in Portugal by the side of the road
Jun 16th, 2016, 08:11 AM
#36
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Upper class hotels have recently started to offer a "Greek breakfast" which is based on traditional recipes with local ingredients. There is a whole movement about the greek breakfast, and i am sure more hotels will adapt it soon....
Speaking of greek breakfast...Greeks never eat it at home.. they buy a coffee and a sesame ring or a cheese pie on the way to work....
Not a very healthy start into the day........
You can watch this TV commercial about it, that is running on Greek TV right now ....
You see breakfast in the UK, Japan and Sweden.. followed by breakfast in Greece....
Speaking of greek breakfast...Greeks never eat it at home.. they buy a coffee and a sesame ring or a cheese pie on the way to work....
Not a very healthy start into the day........
You can watch this TV commercial about it, that is running on Greek TV right now ....
You see breakfast in the UK, Japan and Sweden.. followed by breakfast in Greece....
Jun 16th, 2016, 08:11 AM
#37
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forgot the link..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD0TMv2FPA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD0TMv2FPA8
Jun 17th, 2016, 09:19 AM
#39
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Love Greece and the breakfasts with an amazing array of foods on the buffet. I like the yogurt and homemade bread, jams, etc. I learned to deal with the bathrooms years ago so I consider it a very minor issue.
Jun 17th, 2016, 09:32 AM
#40
Thanks for sharing this useful information, which many might have missed even if they had the right guidebooks.
I am grateful I never have to take a test based on whether I read and can recall all the contents of a guide book. And lots of people get more information from message boards like this one than they do from guide books.
I am grateful I never have to take a test based on whether I read and can recall all the contents of a guide book. And lots of people get more information from message boards like this one than they do from guide books.
