Day 21 - What is going on?

What the hell is going on? 27th May and still the weather is playing up, it's lashing it down this morning. My heating in the bar has been on every single night since i opened and only had 5 full days of sun since i got here on 1st May, never known a start like it.

Anywhoooo, hello one and all, how we all doing today? 

I think starting each update with the "Day" is going to be a pain in the ass as i have to count them on the calendar before i post the update.

Quite a bit of interest in the bar after i announced i was selling so that's good but then again every year someone has shown interest in buying bar but money talks and no one has "SHOWN ME THE MONEY" so never taken the interest seriously.

Day 11 and the bar is at capacity and emergency seats are out, everybody loves a warm bar.

Even people sat outside but as soon as seats become free inside the people move.

Due to the shocking weather I've only gone from house to town to bar and out for coffee's, that's it, not gone anywhere, so not much to tell you or show you.

So for this update i will give you my views on things going on in the world over the past days since last update:-

Eurovision : Whats the point?
The competition is meant to be to vote in a song for Europe, a song that brings Europe together, a song to inspire.
So why is it hardly any of the winners have charted all over Europe and only in their own country?
Why do the UK get automatic entry when they have finished last quite a few times over the past years?
And when has Australia been in Europe?

Jeremy Kyle taken of air for good : People will have to get jobs now instead of appearing on the show.

European Elections : ????????????????????? Haven't a clue what this is all about.

Spice Girls First gig has sound problems : No it doesn't, their just S**T

Hiker found after 17 days in forest : She said she "Chose life", amazing how in the face of adversity she was thinking of Wham.

And that's the headlines that have caught my eye over the last few days.

I will give you a warning of the next picture as it contains a obscene word but how is this the sign of a great place to go for a drink and how is it even allowed. Is this what the island really needs?

So folks its most probably my shortest ever update but what can you do when the weathers shocking.

So hopefully a longer update the next time but until then.......

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!

Day 9 - Welcome to Jurassic Cavo Doro

"We've used Dino DNA to create yet another Greek wonder........Welcome to Jurassic Cavo Doro"

Trust that stupid car to drive past, it was looking good up until then, bet you thought it was real didn't you?

Basically that's the entrance to the new part of Cavo Doro.

Well we're 9 days in and all is well. No different to any other season, same good start, mainly all inclusive holiday makers and mainly first timers to the island and resort so that's always good to have in the bar with a sprinkle of regulars.

Took a picture of when the bar was half finished, why i don't know, i guess cause it looks neat and tidy without any furniture. Couple of scatter cushions would improve this picture but not really viable what with dust, spilt drinks, cats, dogs, flying ants (whats up with flying ants, why do they lose their wings almost instantly, how stupid) and limbs that won't allow people to get up once they're on the scatter cushions. NOT A GOOD IDEA AT ALL.

My first frappe of the season. Should have gone somewhere that served it in a glass for the first picture instead of a plastic, not very environmentally friendly either, poor turtles.

My first Alpha Weiss at my Saturday night hang out after i close, this also includes my date night with Sian (via text when apart) while I'm sat sipping and chilling. Something to look forward to at the end of a busy night and week. No need to cook that night either as get free peanuts with my beer, ISN'T LIFE GREAT!

It is bloody freezing at night, so much so that on my bike on way home at about 2.30am my feet and shins are numb. Never had that before and in the morning its a hoody, long sleeve top and gloves while i'm out and about. The worst weather start to a season in my 19 years here, thank god i got the heater in the bar which has been on every night.

Now then, when i left last year i left a sign on the bar saying "Just popped out for milk, Back 1st of May". I think you'd agree that's quite a obvious sign for all to read. I told Angelina in the shop opposite when i left i had my flight booked for 1st May, i had booked it before I'd even left the island. I had e-mailed my bar landlord and told him i will be back 1st May. I had e-mailed Dennis in the shop next door and told him I'd be back 1st of May. I'd seen all the family in Puzzle next door and told them I'd be back the 1st May. My best friends Tasos and Demi knew i was coming back 1st May and i even posted my flight confirmation on this blog showing i was back 1st May.

So why is it when i turned up others in resort thought i wasn't coming back? 12 people in all in the resort knew i was coming back, there was a nice big printed sign on the empty bar saying when i was coming back, i posted it on this blog but people still insist on making their own stories up, WHY? 

I'm always asked questions on how i ended up on Zakynthos? Why here? How long have i been here?

Its only then i think about my business and my time here and i worked out that out of all the food and beverage places on the old road in Kalamaki I'm the longest standing business with 13 years. Other buildings have been there just as long but the businesses have changed, changed owners or changed names but i am the longest serving business, that's crazy.

Already this week i have been asked many times "When am i thinking of stopping with Oceanic?" , "Am i back next year?" As i say to everyone i always live one day at a time as you never know what may happen, why look so far ahead? I wake up and live for that day. I could become ill, the island could have a major earthquake and destroy the building of the bar, a family member may need my support in UK and need me to go back, who knows whats around the corner BUT I've been thinking about it due to people asking and have made a future decision due to my change in my personal life in the UK and 2020 will definitely be my last season and Oceanic will be up for sale. I will tell you how much just in case anyone interested and it's £10,000 exact, no offers, all in, which is dirt cheap considering how much i have actually put in to the business over the 14 years so its a bargain without a doubt and you'll have a ready made website, reviews and major internet profile presence. In fact i spent that amount out to set up Oceanic in my first season 2007. Also whoever takes it on you could also expand as the bar has a food licence. 

So there you go, that will now definitely stop all the gossip mongers as you heard it here first and i have told no one on the island so don't believe anything else you hear LOL.

Why am i telling you all so far in advance, well, it will take whoever that long to get their papers sorted for residence and tax, we all know how slow it is over here lol

Anyone who may be interested you can contact me through my contact page on the website:-

https://zanteholiday.wixsite.com/-oceanicchilloutbar/location

I feel now with the way I'm very happy in the UK that is where my life should be but not just yet.

I also said if a food franchise like McDonalds etc or a fish & chip shop opened in Kalamaki i would leave but that's not happened yet.

People may find this a bit of a shock but you wouldn't expect me to be here when I'm 60 would you? I'm realistic and that just wouldn't happen. 

I can holiday here instead and watch someone else run around after me lol.

So until this weather changes so i can take Kevin the Minion out........

Serve All. Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!

Day 1 - I'm open!

Well what a miserable start to season 2019.

Firstly i was poorly sick, thanks for all the well wishes and get well soon, then the weather is the worst I've known for May in 19 years, overcast and chilly most days and freezing at night, good job i got the weather tents and heating.
The set up of the bar was quite painless this year, 3 days and all done, well almost, just got to paint the white part of roof and put new letters up then its finished.
The customers love the new look of the bar and i think its the most classy so far, its the bulbs that do it.

Everyone is saying that the resort is quieter this year so far (only 7 days in, JES!) but my first night was the same as all the others but there are more all inclusive rooms this year with more hotels giving up rooms to all inclusive instead of H B or B & B.
On the old road we now have Jurassic Park, when its a nice sunny day i will take a quick video of the entrance, it's got old Rexy behind the wooden doors or King Kong. Haven't ventured inside yet but as you know there are plenty of goats around if inside there is a petting pen for the dinosaur.

Not had a take away yet as still not 100% but god i can't wait to stuff my face with all the badness i can find and then flop on the sofa and collapsed in to a meat and tzatziki coma.

Lots of Dutch in the resort this year, not sure we'll be seeing any hash cake shops opening any time soon but there could be a opening for a orange clothing shop as every Dutch person i have met has had a piece of orange clothing.

Added the original Porn Star Martini to my menu this year, GOOD GRIEF, what an absolute pain in the arse. Douglas Ankrah who invited the drink must have had to much time on his hands, add this, shake that, float this, serve that. As you know i will only make a cocktail unless its to the original method and recipe, what a phaff and guess what i sold the most of so far.........yeah you guessed it.....bloody porn star martini. I can see that being the thorn in my side, the fly in my ointment, the shell in my egg mayo sandwich or the verruca plaster in a swimming pool, just a annoyance all round.

Will be stocking the Levante beers again this season from June but also i have Alpha Weiss which is a lovely beer, my favourite i think after drinking it all last season on my Saturday nights out.

No price changes you'll be glad to hear so that should keep you all happy and a few new cocktails to try, think i came up with another 5, can't remember now.

Can't wait till it gets warmer as this season I'm given myself more time during the day, not knocking myself  out rushing around the place getting stuff and doing favours, its all about me time, oh and me and Sian time while she's out here.

So Liverpool are in the champions league final and this year i will be closed on 1st June, didn't close last year for their final but this year i will be but just the one night, so if anyone wants to join me in Zakynthos town to watch it your more than welcome,

So there you go, a little update on the first couple of days but I'm hoping it will get warmer so i can get out and about and start Kevin the Minions adventures.

This year no food aid parcels are needed unless its black pudding, white pudding or muffins, i can now get crumpets and frosted shreddies on the island but if any food parcels do arrive i will be more than happy to accept it, of course food parcels will be reimbursed, never expect anything for nothing, cash or drinks will be exchanged LOL.

So until the next warmer update........

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!

I'm here! Rain and dark cloud, BUGGER!

An elderly couple once asked me "Do you like Pina Colada?",  i replied "No it reminds me of getting caught in the rain".

Little bit of bar humour there to kick of this first instalment of Season 2019.

Well i waved Sian tata for now (not long though), picked up my pack lunch and off i went to the airport.
The day before i was very ill, so ill i thought i wouldn't be able to fly, cold shivering, body boiling and aching from head to toe, would have been quite easy to miss flight BUT NO, i sucked it up and got on the coach feeling like i had been run over. Also i never take any tablets when i'm ill but i had to try something with this as never felt this way before so i reluctantly took 2 paracetamol.

Got to airport and its self check in. JESUS CHRIST! There were about 20 self check ins, guess how many assistant staff.........14, 14 bloody staff for a self check in.....they may as well be behind the counter checking in if they are being paid to be there, how ridiculous.
I leave the check in area and up to the security check, oh joy in front of me is a Welsh hen party of about 10, youngest being in 40's all with same t-shirts on saying such hilarious things as "Brides Bitch", "Python Handler", "Flora Spreadable"  and the most brilliant t-shirt ever, must have taken hours, put Dylan Thomas to shame " Ball Juggler". BRAVO, BRAVO, Noble Literature prize winner in the making there. So not only did i have a gaggle of women in front of me none of them must have flown before. It took forever as they had bottles and toiletries that were to big and ones they could take they hadn't put in to that little clear bag, freaking idiots.
In to the departures lounge and set up a little camp for myself so i could be away from the hordes and just spy.
Question, 2 weeks off for Easter for the children yes? So why was there so many children over 7 going on holiday? i saw so many.
On to plane a front seat already booked with speedy boarding, just how i like it. Tried to sleep most of the way but felt so rough it was hard to sleep comfortable.
I step off the plane and how wonderful to see big black clouds and rain.
First through and bag comes really quick.
Jump in to taxi but forget to buy water and baguette. YOU IDIOT PINNELL!
Get to our house and first thing i do is put battery on charge for bike, sweep through, unpack rucksack, make some gruel (Oats, god thank you for oats) as nothing else in house and collapse under quilt shivering and boiling writing this.
Lets hope tomorrow is a better day, well can't be any worse than Tues and Wed, i can't even go out to watch Liverpool and get supplies.

So just a quick little update as going to try to shift whatever it is i got.

Tomorrow we begin.

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!