Ochi Day 2019
Kelsey Edwards • 29 October 2019
Sunniest OXI Day in 20 years
Monday 28th October 2019 must be a record breaker for the most sun and highest temperatures for any Ochi day in the last 20 years.
The entire island seemed to come out to celebrate the day when Metaxa said OXI to Mussolini during WWII.
The port cats, with one persistent exception, fled to the side streets, mules were tethered off the port and cafes rearranged their tables and chairs to make way for the parade.
At 11, the racing yachts took off on the 2nd leg of this years end of season regatta, by which time the church service and wreath laying in the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was well underway.
While the children left the monastery to get into parade order, the 3 island cruise boat came in, leaning heavily to one side. While I got some photos, I gave the selfie stick to Pan who promptly misbehaved pretending to be a CNN reporter. (As you’ll see on the video.)
As usual the youngest children carried the Greek and Hydra flags leading the parade, proud to be included but looking a little overwhelmed.
Flags fluttered, snare drums rattled and those not holding their cameras wore out their hands clapping for the full duration of the wonderfully good natured event.
Hydra’s resident band played throughout and marched at the end of the parade bringing it to a close.
Thank you to all of Hydra for a marvellous morning.
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Hydra hit carnival mode at full blast with a smashing turn out, some really good new costumes and everyone had lots of fun. The 2nd of March 2025, was a warm, bright day, very spring like with no rain. Everyone gathered in Votsi Square from 14:30 and once the music horse (impressively calm and seemed to understand that it wasn't a riot) had fully functioning speakers, the procession set off at about 15:00.
The lovely Anastasia is making quite a few changes for 2025 and is still busy in anticipation of the new season. To keep everything as fresh and clean as possible, she's moved the fruit and salad produce inside clearing many of the stands and umbrellas from the street. Her biggest innovation though is the introduction of her takeaway smoothie and fruit salad bar. All will be made with fresh ingredients to order and will be a smashing addition to your beach or hiking picnic hamper. Freshly prepared smoothies & fruit salads alongside all your supermarket grocery shopping. Open 7 days a week. Free deliveries. Contact Anastasis from her listing on the Hydradirect Directory.
Visit the enormous sandy beach, eat lunch and even have time to visit the Aphaia Temple as a day trip to Aegina from Hydra are now possible.
Real estate has moved & visitors will be able to get in direct touch more quickly with businesses
Manos always knows where to find the dolphins that swim off Hydra Island at this time of the year. Well done to Dominique for making this wonderful small video of it!
Sharing what to watch out for so it doesn't happen to anyone else
Harriet's Hydra Horses' Facebook page has been hacked and disabled. Facebook has been no help whatsoever. Harriet is distraught and would sincerely appreciate any help from a techie fan who might be able to get her up and running again.
The final changes have been confirmed for future GGV applicants. Personally, I don't think Hydra will really benefit as the already low full-time population of the island means that the investment value has been discounted. Given that sellers have already been marketing their real estate for much higher than the threshold, it's not going to make a huge difference.
A typical morning for me living on Hydra Island. Over-buying plants at the garden centre, getting keys cut, anxiously rearranging delivery by boat from Ermioni because it won't be coming on Friday because it's the Hydra's Trails Event weekend.
New Greek Golden Visa rules: Minimum purchase price going up to €400,000 - €800,000 plus short-term rentals not allowed and the property must be 120m2 plus in size.