Join the Navy

The Poros Navy Beach Canteen, run by the Navy Training School,  opened for the summer season at the end of June, once all the conscripts had left.  The next batch won't be back till September when it might possibly be a little cooler.

We have been down there a few times with family and friends.  It's our summer hang-out and we eat and drink at the Canteen a couple of times a week.  It's subsidised of course and a fraction of the price of the island's tavernas.  

K always finds an old Navy cohort with whom to reminisce, though 'some recollections may vary'. 

Anyone visiting in July or August, is taken there in the evening. This canteen beside the sea provides a simple and tasty meal.  Greek salad, various meats on a skewer, tzatziki, pita bread,  pizza and cheese pies along with beer, wine or soft drinks.

It's open all day, serves coffee and sandwiches,  and has an organised beach with umbrellas and loungers and a lifeguard.  

Identities are checked.  I'm usually OK. The officers there know me either because they're locals or because K quickly becomes well known and 'I'm with him'.  However I'm very obviously a foreigner and I have been asked on a couple of occasions, in English, 'what am I doing there'.  Politely.  'I'm with him!!' 

Looking out at the empty beach in the evening

The presentation has gone up a notch this year.

We have little wire baskets for the fried potatoes and wooden trays for the souvlaki.  

We are though, still given paper plates and unless we ask for proper glasses we will be given paper ones.  And we still clean up our table at the end, bundle up the leftover salad and tzatziki, paper dishes and empty cans in the paper table cloth and throw it all in a big bin.

We won't be complaining.  The two of us can eat and drink for 10 euros.

Each table also has a 'night light' for romantic dining.