Torben

 

Jan

Hi - My name is Torben Bolhøj, and I live on another small island: Bornholm, Denmark.
I visited Samos for the first time in 1995 and when my vacation ended I only had one wish: "To return as soon as possible".

Since then I have visited this wonderful island up to 3 times every year.
Many have asked me: "Why Samos and what is so special there?”
The explanation is: "The local people, the nature and the Greek music!"
In July 2003 I passed half a year (total) on Samos at the same hotel and the same room (La Plage, Kokkari), and as a tribute to my "second home" I founded this website.

Until Nov. 2004 'Samostour.dk' was a 'one-man-job', but then one day a nice thing happened: Jan Backstrøm offered his help!!
From that day Samostour really began to expand.

Jan is not 'helping me' with Samostour any more - we are now equal partners!

Jan & I have one common goal with Samostour:

To bring good and interesting information about Samos.
We try to do our best - and we are very thankful for suggestions to do it better.

A small "mix" of information and flashbacks.

by Torben

In 1996 I fell in love with "Smokey", and since then we have spent a lot of time together and had many good experiences. "Smokey" is not a young girl any more, but every year she is ready for tours on the smallest dirt roads and tracks in the mountains.

Many thanks to Yannis ("Duck", Kokkari) for taking good care of her in the off-seasons.

"Smokey" and I have a good agreement:
If there is no road or track where I want to go, then... we just drive 'off roads' (that's life !!!).

      Torben and "Smokey" on the track...                                                                           "Duck" - "Smokeys" home

Memorable moments
       
            The "road" disappeared.                 Finally on the top (look at the wheels)         Changing wheel in the mountains.     

Greek night at Restaurant Mythos in 2003 with Vangelis, Dimitris and Giorgos where I tried Vangelis's bouzouki. I was completely lost and I had to get one myself...
Luckily my wife and I decided that it would be a good way to mark my half year anniversary on Samos.

Yannis Loulourgas in Pythagorion made one for me.
Yannis makes very nice instruments, with an eminent sound, and he is also a fabulous bouzoukiplayer and singer.

         Yannis playing.                           The wall in his shop.                                His workshop.                    My "bouz"

Many things have changed..

For many visitors it was a tradition to end the day on the harbour by Jorgos at Aeolus Bar.

It was so nice to relax in  the blue chairs, to have a drink and watch people passing by.

In 2006 Aeolus Bar moved to the left promenade and in 2007 Aeolus Bar got new owners and changed style. Jorgos has now Wave Bar (just across Aeolus), and hopefully the good atmosphere from 'the old Aeolus' will continue there! Many visitors really miss the "old Aeolus" and many ask for it.

One of my top favorite restaurants : Restaurant Mythos, have got a new look!

AND MANY THINGS WILL CHANGE ...

But I am sure, that my partner will observe it and tell about it.

Here he is in action: