Why Hydra Island Houses?

You Know That Cliche "The University of Life"?

Well, if there is any truth to that phrase, then after more than two and a half decades in the trenches on Hydra, David reckons that by now he has a PhD in island survival. Having worked in, with, and around just about every aspect of life on Hydra, summer in and winter out, he has amassed an encyclopaedia of knowledge about the facts of life on the Rock, some of which he's chronicled in his lighthearted book, Rhubarbs from a Rock, about life as an Irishman marooned on a little Greek island.

David did not come here to retire at the age of twenty-six. Having fallen in love with Hydra upon disembarking gratefully from the three-islands-in-a-day cruise boat in 1983, he refused to reboard when the departure horn sounded. Instead, he stayed for six weeks, then returned in 1985 to buy and run a bar and restaurant. In 1996 he opened the island's first Internet café and website.

In the mid-1990s the vast majority of islanders and foreigners alike didn’t see the future of the Internet, saying, "It’s a gimmick for kids," or "We have fax machines." But when an advert on David's website led directly to a house sale in 1997, this fad gained new credibility!

So why does David feel qualified to present himself as a go-to guy for advice? Simply because there is nothing like learning things the hard way. During his twenty-five years on Hydra, David has owned two businesses, crewed on local yachts, tended bar and waited tables, published a book, helped people find buyers and sellers for real estate, found accommadation for visitors to Hydra (be it in a pension, hotel, or private home or apartment for rent on the island), worked on building sites, gardened, white-washed, majordomoed, assisted movie and TV crews (BBC, PBS), translated—the list goes on. As a result he can more than hold his own in the Greek language and has hands-on experience working within and with all aspects of Hydra Island's community, both Hydriot and foreign.

David and his wife, Jennifer, live on Hydra year round. Like everywhere, things here change constantly, so they cannot claim to have all knowledge on all things, but Hydra Island Houses is as good a place to start as any when looking for help with all things related to buying, owning, or renting a house or vacationing on Hydra. If David and Jennifer don’t have an immediate answer for your question, they'll certainly know where to find it.

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Hydra Island Houses provides an advertising platform for Hydra home owners.
We are not a real estate, travel, or tourist agency. All vacation and holiday rental house descriptions have been provided
by the property owner or manager, who also sets all prices, payment, and booking policies.

We have taken care to ensure, but we cannot guarantee, that the information provided on this website is up-to-date and accurate.
We expressly waive liability for damages directly or indirectly occurring from the use of the Hydra Island Houses website.

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Apart from Hydra Island Houses, David and Jennifer run the following websites:

The Kamini Comet, a semi-satirical, fun online magazine for Kamini Village on Hydra

HydraArk, Hydra's animal-welfare charity

A non-profit organization to aid astronomers in the hunt for NEO’s (Near Earth Objects)