Although Doryssa Seaside Resort’s main building and its rooms may need tender loving care (such as my room 277) the buffet breakfast retains its lustre. My favourite this time were two large bowls, one filled with segments of orange the other with grapefruit. In season and absolutely stellar! There are local pastries both sweet and savoury such as spanakopita or galaktoboureko, the “real Greek yogurt” with Samian honey to top it with or several types of preserves if you prefer. There are cheeses including gouda and Edam for the many Dutch guests and all manner of high-quality breads. Must chuckle seeing thank goodness no beans and sausages as there are few Brits. But yes there are stewed tomatoes and small wieners. I decided for a feta cheese and tomato omelette. I enjoyed the croissants with Greek marmalade on the side. As usual year after year there are too few coffee machines and this year the lattes and their cappuccinos are undrinkable. After the top rate latte and cappuccino at Daios Luxury Living in Thessaloniki hand crafted by baristas anything less is a disappointment. Our usual table overlooking the sea and enjoying such wonderful food is a real treat and if only the coffee was up to snuff!
What shocks me are the 80% of Filipinos working at the restaurant! When did this happen? Why? Cheap labour or as a taxi driver in Greece said to me our young people all want to be influencers and social media stars so they spend all day on their computers. The staff at the restaurant are extremely skilled and affable almost with a smile and a greeting so I will overlook our table being given away while we were up at the buffet!
Rather similar to Sliema in Malta where almost all the hotel staff were Indian and as a taxi driver there said to me the younger generation are all studying to be professionals and look down on service jobs in the hospitality industry.
Hopped in our little silver Suzuki and drove 14 kms to the main city on Samos originally called Vathi and still by the old timers like me. Its name has changed to Samos Town or Samos City. As far as many Greek islands go as to architecture it is far more of a commercial centre. There are many open-air cafes in the town square and restaurants and bars lining the main street as you head to the port. When looking for parking just ahead of me a motorcycle accident occurred. I saw the poor motorcyclist take a spill and right himself and limp to the pavement head held between his hands. As we passed by him on the way back from an unsuccessful attempt to find parking he was holding a bloody cloth to his head with police and an ambulance present. He was wearing a helmet thank goodness.
Some five years ago Samos created a seaside no charge parking lot to accommodate vehicles but it is so heavily used as morning transitions to afternoon parking spots become rare. After three passes I gave up and luckily found a spot on the main seaside road opposite the bus station.
I should add the main roads in Samos are good. Be prepared for many curves and a speed limit often at 50 kms with limited opportunities for passing except for a legion of kamikaze drivers and there are many roadside “shrines” (kandylakia) to victims of the roads. They are built from stone, metal, concrete, wood or marble typically featuring a small cross, icons a lit oil or candle. The name of the victim and often a photograph is also present.
Set back from the seaside promenade is the main shopping street with many restaurants. A quaint enjoyable pedestrian only walk.
