04-Aug-07 - Deputy Minister of Defense Mr Vassilis I Mihaloliakos arrived on Hydra Island Greece in support of newly reinstated Mayor Mr Konstantinos Anastopoulos. From nine in the morning, unsure of which dolphin he would be arriving on, disgruntled and finally defeated Kotroneans gathered in the port to voice their disapproval and disappointment. Officials arriving earlier were greeted with subdued heckling. Mr Anastopoulos made an unobtrusive appearance on the port, quietly walking down the sea edge of the Tsangaris and Isalos corner rather than running the gauntlet of cat calls from Kotroneans sitting at Il Posto.

Mr Mihaloliakos's landing was announced by cannon fire much to the consternation of a couple of waiters who leaped out of their skins, and he was welcomed by Mr Anastopoulos and his officials at the end of the quay. No doubt having gotten wind of the opposition's inteneded protest, there followed a hurried meeting to discuss tactics at the Porto Fino where there was some hand-shaking and a warmer welcome from a few of Mr Anastopoulos's supporters.

From this point Mr Anastopoulos disappeared from the harbour, possibly he went through the back of one of the cafes so as to jog back to the municipality building to be able to greet his guests with more pomp in his office, but Mr Mihaloliakos was escorted along the harbour by a tight pack of body guards and municipality officials without the company of Hydra's Mayor. With only one brief stop at a cafe to shake hands, the entire party led by three policemen walked around the harbour, elegantly swerving around donkeys, tables and pedestrians at a very quick march, and into the sanctity of the monastery where bemused tourists hurridly grabbed their cameras while they dodged out of the way.

On the balcony were members of the Greek Orthodox Church and various municipal officers waiting to be introduced before everyone disappeared inside for speeches from Mr Anastopoulos and others which were not broadcast outside. Not that it would have been necessary as there were few islanders around to listen to them because on a Saturday morning, most were busy at work or running their businesses.