September 2007 - Greece
Sun. Sept 30, 2007 We put two loads of laundry in and decided to finish cleaning the boat so our clothes will stay clean while drying. It takes over 2 hours for the machine to run it's cycle. We washed the dirt from that last meltemi in Siros off the rigging (as high as we could reach)and the canvas. Johan and Eva rented a car and invited us along to explore the island. Leros Island is a pretty green island with deeply indented coastline with huge gulfs, the "four seas" of Leros. It isn't nearly as high as Amorgos but the roads are just as scary. We visited Platanos the Byzantine castle renovated by the Venetians and the Knights of St. John. It was very nice and they're doing restoration on it. We went down to little port of Panteli (a fishing village) for lunch. A sign greeted us "Welcome to the Island of Artemis"! I guess Artemis led us to this quiet lovely spot away from the meltemi winds! We hung our laundry to dry when we got back to the boat. It doesn't take long in this lovely weather.
Love Sally and Al
September 29, 2007
We got up early and headed out about 7:00. We changed course three times before we finally settled on going to Port Lakki, on Leros Island in the Dodecanese Islands. Lakki is the main port of Leros and was an anchorage for the Italian, German and later the British fleets. We're traveling with a Canadian boat "Northern Lights", Johan and Eva. We picked up a nice NW 15-20 kt wind off the port quarter and decided to travel the extra miles. (55-60 miles)We're on the quay with laid moorings, wireless internet (5 Euro an hour), showers and WASHING MACHINES! The former Italian Naval base is now the State Therapeutical Hospital and within the complex is a mansion once used as Mussolini's summer residence. We'll stay here for at least 3 or 4 days and enjoy exploring the island without worrying about the boat. It looks like we moved far enough east that this next meltemi won't hit here as hard or as long. Love and God Bless Sally and Al
September 27 - 28, 2007
We had another quiet motor to Nisos Amorgos about 36nm. We arrived around 3:00 to late to visit the monastery today. We walked around town and plan to rent a car tomorrow. Love and God Bless Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Amorgos Island | Monastery Panagios Hozovrotissa
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Amorgos Island | Mycenaena ruins
Fri. Sept. 28 We had a full busy day. We rented a car in and left for the monastery about 9:15. You never realize how high these mountains are until you drive on them. Monastery Chozoviotissa (Hozovrotissa) is built into an enormous rock cliff 180 meters above the sea. It was founded in 1088 and has the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary and a library with a collection of ancient manuscripts. A monk served us refreshments, water sweet brandy and a powdered sugar dipped sweet. We drove the entire island today, visiting the little towns, Mycenaean ruins and beautiful beaches. Oh so quiet, not too many tourists visit this island and the vistas were quite dramatic. Lots of narrow hairpin turn roads with goat wandering across. We walked long trails to find ruins that were difficult to distinguish from the landscape :-> but enjoyed the spectacular views. Looking to the weather again. Another meltami is expected in a couple of days. We may skip Santorini and move further east to avoid the big winds again. The Cyclades are a windy windy place!
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea |Cyclades Islands | Naxos Island | Naxos Harbor
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Naxos Island | Temple of Apollo
September 26, 2007
We had a quiet motor down to Naxos Island about 30 nm. Beautiful day and the islands look lovely. Picked up some stronger SE winds close to Naxos but just motored in. We moored stern to in Naxos Marina no laid moorings as mentioned in the guide so we dropped an anchor. Neat but touristy town. Like Mykonos lots of white washed buildings, narrow winding paths and alleyways. You feel like you could get lost in the maze. We walked up to the Temple of Apollo overlooking the harbor. We grilled swordfish on the George Foreman and then went out for our first ouzo followed by an ice cream cone :-> Leaving for Amorgos Island tomorrow and Santarini the next.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands| Mykanos Harbor
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Delos | Temple to Artemis
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Delos | The Lion Terrace
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Delos
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Delos | statue of Artemis
September 25, 2007
Tuesday the winds are down to Force 7 today so we decided to take the ferry to Mykonos Island and Delos Island. We were up early to catch the 8 AM ferry. Mikonos is truly a tourist town. It a picture poscard setting and lots of ferries and cruise ships land here. Fortunately there were no ships in port until late afternoon. We took the 11:00 ferry to Delos. The seas were still built up from the five day blow. There is much more at Delos than meets the eye when you arrive. It's uninhabited with only the archeological site one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. According to legend Leto gave birth to Artemis and Apollo here. We hiked around 3 hours and had a great time. Of course our favorite was the Temple to Artemis. The Lion Terrace, theater, and mosaics were well worth the visit.
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Mykannos | windmills
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Mykonos Island | maze of narrow lanes
The Paraportiani church, Little Venice, the windmills, and a maze of narrow lanes and alleys winding between the buildings were the highlights of Mykonos. White...when you think of Mykonos you see white. Everything is white washed regularly. Even much of the clothing hanging in the shop doorways and windows are white. We enjoyed a few beers on the waterfront and then decided to walk back to the New Port where we caught the Vodophone High Speed ferry back to Syros. Whoa what an experience. I felt like we were in fancy cruise ship. The seating areas were spacious with tables, shops, and bar. We made a stop at Tinos and never noticed the boats arrival or departure. Quite a difference from the regular ferry. We plan to head for Naxos tomorrow morning about 30 nm. Of course since we are heading SE the forecast is SE 4 to 5 :->.
Love Sally and Al
September 23, 2007
Another Force 9 day! Our poor boat is almost black with the dirt being blown on to it. We showered and were all dressed for church when we decided we just didn't feel safe leaving the boat for so long. We watched movies and read again today. On Monday the winds dropped to Force 8 so Al felt a little more like boat projects. He wired in the new CD player we brought back with us in June. If we had known how well it masked the howling wind we would have done it days ago. Fun to have music again on the boat. It lifts the spirits. We went up town for a while and down loaded some new pictures for Patrick to add to the website.
September 21 - 22, 2007
We are weathered in Siros. We don't like to leave the boat for long with the wind so wild. We had groceries delivered to the boat. Later we caught the bus and went into town. We did some internet and phone calls then headed back. We had up to Force 9 last night but all is well. We watch DVD's to mask the sound of the wind. Today we stayed aboard all day reading and watching movies. It doesn't look like this will lift before late Monday. We may still rent a car it all depends on the winds. We've decided against taking the ferry to Mikinos tomorrow as Force 8 is still predicted. We had wanted to get to Delos...
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis
September 20, 2007
Well we tackled the second peak of Ermoupolis, the largest city of the Cyclades today. We were determined to reach the Catholic Cathedral. The city has twin peaks and is built like an amphitheater down to the sea. The Orthodox Cathedral on the eastern peak (visited yesterday) and the Catholic on the western peak. Both are lit at night and quite spectacular. Marble everywhere. Even the streets have marble down the center and sides with cobble in between. All the sidewalks, steps and piazzas are marble too. We climbed steps for at least an hour today to reach the cathedral. The houses are all connected and have steps and narrow alleys in between. It's the medieval quarter of town. The people park their cars in lots or ride the free buses then walk to their homes. We actually found three Catholic churches today. The French and Venetians brought Catholicism to Syro. Very modest compared to Italy but oh so familiar and comfortable. It's so difficult to feel a sense of belonging and welcome when we go into the Orthodox churches.
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis | Agios Nikolaos
The walk down was much easier and faster as we were quite hungry and thirsty. It was 2:30 before we found a spot for gyros (the best we've had so far) and a large bottle of water! Our German friend we met yesterday happened by and she joined us for lunch. After lunch we walked to the twin towers and blue and gold dome of Agios Nikolaos which marks the beginning of the Vaporia district. This is where Syro's ship owners built their Neo-Classical mansions on the cliffs overlooking the towns quay and the sea. Another spectacular sight. Great fun but we had another 3 miles to walk to get back to the bus. We had planned to catch the free bus by the quay but we waited at the wrong bus stop so we walked, as the next bus wasn't coming for 40 minutes. I guarantee no one has a need for a tread mill or step master in this town:-> We re tied our boat when we got back using our heavy lines with springs.
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Siros Marina
Our Greek and Spanish dock mates warned us about big winds coming again(Force 7 28-33 kts). We have three breakwalls before us and we are being blown off the dock. So we feel quite secure to leave the boat as oppose to when we were at anchor. A swell enters the harbor but it's not dangerous. Rock-a-bye baby tonight but at least we won't drag anchor.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis
September 19, 2007
What a glorious morning. Not a ripple in the anchorage and crystal clear water down 30 feet. We could see the individual blades of seaweed! After breakfast we motored 10nm to the east side of Siros Island to Marina Sirou near Ermoupolis. It's an unfinished marina so it's free. It has beautiful concrete docks, secure rings to tie to and electricity and water ready to be hooked up someday but not soon. I nice Greek fisherman and his young son gave us a the Champion grocery store where we caught a FREE bus to Ermoupolis.
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Ermoupolis
We had a nice lunch. Al chose the famous Siros sausages and I ordered the oven baked stuffed peppers, tomato and cheese. We had a tomato,cucumber, olive salad and bread. Yum always looking to try new things. We walked and climbed 3-400 steps to the hill top to visit the large Catholic Cathedral (a novelty in Greece) We finally reached the top and found another Greek Orthodox church. A young woman pointed across the town to another very tall hilltop and said that is the Catholic church. Another day... We visited another Orthodox church on our way back to the boat St. George (slaying the dragon) and an interesting cemetery. We stopped at the Champion grocery store and got a few thing. It's quite large so we plan to stock up the day we rent a car and can get things back to the boat more easily. We plan to wait out this next big meltami wind here tied to the dock! We want to visit Delos (birthplace of Artemis and Apollo)so plan to take the ferry to Mikonos and a tour boat to Delos on Sunday. Tuesdays and Sundays are the only days the high speed ferry arrives before the Delos boat departs. Oh well there is plenty to see here and we have a safe place to leave the boat while we explore the island.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea | Cyclades Islands | sail to Syros Island
Greece | Aegean Sea |Cyclades Islands | Siros Island | Finikas anchorage
September 18, 2007
The wind finally quit howling about 3 AM and I finally was sure we weren't going to drag and slept restfully. We pulled anchor after breakfast and headed out for Sirou (Siros), our third Cyclades Island in three days. We were looking for a town to buy bread, fruit and vegetables. "A miraculous day of sailing," says Al. We had a beam reach 15-25 kts of wind with the Yankee and main flying going 6.5-7.5 kts for 20 nm on just one tack. Just lovely...2 meter seas left over from yesterday but they died down after a couple of hours. We dropped anchor in Finikas on the SW side of Siros Island about 12:30. We dropped the dinghy into the water and went ashore for lunch. We met a group of eight friends from Seattle chartering a boat. They were in our same anchorage last night. They invited us to join them for lunch and we had a nice visit. Our friends Val and Bob Ouellette called with their travel plans. They will be joining us in Rhodes, Greece October 16 and will sail with us to Kemer, Turkey. We're excited to have some crew on board. Our first crew since Patrick and Nicci left August 2006. Then our son Justin and girlfriend Chris will join us November 16 and we'll do some land traveling. Our biggest worries these days are, where shall we go next and how much wind do we want to play with today?
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea |Attic Coast | Sounion anchorage
September 15, 16 & 17, 2007
Saturday we had a quiet motor down to Sounion anchorage off the Attic Coast (24 nm). We were anchored below the Temple of Poseidon. It was a lovely spot and the temple was lit at night.
Greece | Aegean Sea |Cyclades Islands | Kea Island | Ay Nikolaou anchred in Ormos Vourkari
Sept. 16 Sunday we got up early to beat the heavy winds predicted for the afternoon to Kea Island. We had a great sail for two hours then the wind switched more out of the NE and we had to beat 5 nm into Ay Nikolaou. We were able to anchor in Ormos Vourkari windy/choppy but out of the big seas. We put the dinghy in the water and went ashore. Not much ashore to see but it's a pretty anchorage. The town we wanted to visit in the same bay was not protected from the meltemi (strong N winds) at all. The wind quieted down to 6-10 kts over night.
Greece | Aegean Sea |Cyclades Islands| Kithnos Island | sail over north end of Kea
Sept. 17 We should have stayed put but decided since Loutra Kithnos was only 15 nm we'd go for it. We figured once over the north end of Kea it would be a downwind sail when the winds picked up. We put out the jib and motored for an hour and half before we could turn downwind. We were facing 2-3 meter seas and 20 kts of wind so we got a little wet. We were flying 7-9 kts once we turned downwind and rode the waves. We arrived at Loutra with 30-35 kts of wind and no where safe to moor or anchor. The mooring spots we had hoped for were full and the anchorage had no space to maneuver around the boats already anchored and tied to shore. So after about half an hour off we went pounding into the bay again heading for an anchorage 5 nm away on the east side of Kithnos. We finally dropped anchor about 1:30 which held after the second try. The wind is still howling and we are swinging but we are safely anchored. No place to go here so we'll just relax after such a hairy morning.
I wrote too soon about 4;00 we dragged anchor again. After 3 hours of strong winds we figured we were set good. We decided to move to the other anchorage in the same bay Ay Stefanos. 5 other boats in here and we seem to be holding. Still windy with gusts 25. At least the boat isn't tipping from side to side :->
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |view from Ancient Acropolis of Ancient Agora of Athens
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |Temple Hephaestus
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |Parthenon
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |Theater
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |Erechtheum
Greece | Aegean Sea | Athens |
September 13 & 14, 2007
Hi, We had a fantastic, exhausting day visiting the sites. For 12 Euro we got a ticket for the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Theater of Dionysos, Roman Agora, Kerameikos, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. We caught a bus from Zea to Piraeus train station. For .80 Euro we rode the metro to Monastiraki the center of everything we wanted to visit. The Acropolis was more crowded than other sites we've been to but oh so incredible. Both the Parthenon and Propylaea had scaffolding so not as picturesque as the postcards but still quite spectacular. The Temple of Athena Nike and the Porch of the Caraytids was my favorite as I liked the six Kores statues (women)who support the marble roof of the porch. We did find the rock from which the Apostle Paul was said to have preached to the Athenians and then we wandered down the hillside (the path less traveled)finding a fence and eventually a way out. Next we visited Ancient Agora and the temple of Hephaestos. This was the first temple we have seen with a roof structure. Al so wanted to go over the wire and walk inside :-> We stopped for a fantastic lunch and to wander the shops of Monastiraki. You can find just about anything there. The Greek people are so happy and friendly. It's such a treat to sit down to a nice meal here. We had the best (so far) chicken souvlakia and lamb with roasted potatoes for our late lunch. Once we were fortified we visited the rest of the sites. About 5:00 we realized we had missed seeing Hadrian's Gate and The Temple of Olympian Zeus. So off we went back tracking about a half an hour before we found it. Oh so glad we didn't allow near exhaustion to tempt us to skip this fabulous site. Eight hours of strenuous exercise today but absolutely worth it! (I guess we didn't have to do it all in one day) Fri. Sept. 14
We decided to stay on another day here at Zea Marina. We took the bus/train to the Olympic Site and harbor. We couldn't get onto the compound but we walked the beach and fences until we reached the new marina. It's pretty full of local boats but there are places on the outer wall for visiting yachts to tie up. We visited some marine stores in Piraeus and found a few things we couldn't live without. Tomorrow we will head down the Attic coast to Sounion anchorage.
Love Sally and Al
September 12, 2007
Hi, What a gorgeous day. It was a beautiful quiet morning as we dropped our mooring lines and headed out from Epidhavos. We motored for a couple of hours and then we could sail. We had 10-15 off the port quarter. Great sailing moving about 6 kts and no motor for a change! We had about 30 miles to go to Zea Marina crossing shipping lanes and the ferry path was similar to ours. So we had lots of activity and beautiful islands to sail by. One ferry was named Artemis and she ran right along side of us. We sailed by 15 ships at anchor before reaching Zea Marina, Athens. It's a large port holding over 600 boats in two harbors. The outer harbor has the mega yachts. After visiting the port captain for our transit log and the marina office to check in we walked the main street along the harbor. We found several ship stores and a huge Carefour Store. It has 4 floors and everything imaginable for sale within including a great grocery selection. We loaded down our cart and arms but plan to visit again before we leave. Tomorrow we plan to visit the Acropolis and Athens.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Aegean Sea |Northern Peloponnisos| Epidhavros theater
Greece |Aegean Sea | Northern Peloponnisos| Epidhavros stadium
Greece | Aegean Sea |Northern Peloponnisos| Old Epidhavros
September 11, 2007
Hi, We had laid moorings at Giannis Taverna in Korfus. What a treat! We met two couples from Toronto on a charter boat. All four are retired teachers and they invited us to sit with them at dinner. This morning we walked around town trying to find the bus stop and finally gave up after about an hour. We decided to move further down the Eastern Peloponnisos 8 nm to Old Epidhavros where we could take a taxi to the Epidhavros Theater. It was another quiet day so we motored and enjoyed the fabulous mountainous/ravine coastline. We med moored to the quay and found a taxi after lunch. It was 40 Euro, as he drove us to the site and waited an hour while we toured to bring us back. Epidhavros theater is accepted as the best preserved of all Greek theaters. Some restoration has been done but it is mostly original. It seats 14,000 and the acoustics are perfect. I was near the top and Al said in a normal voice, "Sally can you hear me?" and I turned around and answered "Of course" and we heard each other perfectly! Amazing, now if I could just get him to hear me when he's two feet away :-> The site was known during it's time- end of 4th beginning of 3rd c BC- as a religious center for curing the sick. Little remains of the buildings but some reconstruction is underway on the stadium and two of the temples. Our driver stopped to buy me a bag of "California" oranges at a road stand above the harbor. What a spectacular view! Of course that guaranteed a tip. We plan to explore Epidhavros this evening and move on to Zea Marina near Athens tomorrow.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Corinth Canal| Ionian Sea to Aegean Sea| Bungy jumper off bridge
Greece | Corinth Canal| Ionian Sea to Aegean Sea
Greece | Corinth Canal| Ionian Sea to Aegean Sea
Greece | Corinth Canal| Ionian Sea to Aegean Sea
Greece | Aegean Sea |Northern Peloponnisos | Korfus| Artemis at Gionies Taverena quay
Mon. Sept. 10 We got up early and called the canal for an eastbound appointment. It was for after 9:30 so we took a taxi to Ancient Corinth. Great ruins (Al loves them all) but not near the spectacular site Delphi was on. We caught a taxi back about 10:30 and called the canal again. They told us to come immediately (1nm) We waited about 15 minutes and entered the canal about 11:15. The big ship ahead of all the boats was having difficulty as the canal is so narrow so we moved through very slowly. It's rather spectacular with huge walls rising on either side of the boat. Three bridges span the canal and at one point a bunge jumper came flying down in front of us from one of them. We had a small fishing boat in front of us and we were staying too far behind the other boats so the canal operator called us and demanded we go full speed. Of course Artemis could go much faster than the little boat so we kept catching up, slowing down and they'd call again, full speed...We were charged 197 Euro to go through. Oh well it was a must see and now we've done that. We are headed for Korfos 15 nm from the canal on the Peloponnisos, recommended by several boaters. We hope to moor on Gionies Taverena quay. Otherwise there are two others and an anchorage.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Ancient Corinth
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Ancient Corinth
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Ancient Corinth
Sun. Sept. 9 We left the dock in Itea around 7:00 AM. It was a beautiful morning. We had about 40nm to go to Corinth Harbor just before the Corinth Canal. The wind picked up so we turned off the engines and had a nice sail for 2 and half hours. We gave up and motored the last hour into Corinth. We couldn't get into the yacht harbor so we tied on the quay in the Commercial Harbor about 2:15. We walked around town but nothing was open on Sunday. We had a quiet evening aboard and grilled some pork chops. Evidently last night it was pretty wild here after several days of wind and storms. The boats were bouncing around and they had to hold off until late in the evening. Glad it's quiet tonight. We plan to go through the Corinth Canal in the morning.
September 8, 2007
Hi, We took the boat in today to the main quay to fill our water tanks and Al went to the station to buy oil. We walked around town and the beach, just plan laid back! We visited with a German and English boat. It's always fun to find out where people are coming from and where they'll go next. We got a card for a taverna Giannis 15 nm from the Corinth canal in Karfos. We hope to try it out. We went out to dinner with Kathy "Hand Basket" and Allie and Chuck "ChaliVentures" to say good-bye. We plan to leave in the morning.
Fri. Sept. 7 We have our first real rain not sprinkles this afternoon. Artemis is so happy to finally have a bath! We're glad we went to Delphi yesterday. We had hoped to visit a monastery today but maybe tomorrow. Fortunately we completed our shopping trip this morning so we are content to read and write emails this afternoon. Happy Weekend!
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |Delphic Tholos
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |Gymnasium Stadium track
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |Gymnasium Stadium seating for Royalty
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |Temple of Apollo
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |Temple of Apollo
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Delphi |Theater
September 6, 2007
Hi, We had an absolutely fabulous day in Delphi today. The bus ride and views were fantastic. We had brilliantly blue skies and a breeze to keep us cool as we hiked around the archaeological sites. We started in the museum. All artifacts that have been recovered are housed here. Then when we walked the site we could visualize where the statues would be. The first traces of inhabitation here go back to Mycenaean times (14-11th c BC)when the main deity worshipped was Ge ("Earth"). Then at the end of 9th c BC the cult of Apollo became established at Delphi. The main temple is the Temple of Apollo. Apollo was a brother to Artemis so we saw many reference to her and their mother Leto at Delphi. The sanctuary of Apollo extends over a series of terraces in the foothills of Mount Parnassos, between two enormous rocks called the Phariades.
Below the valley has millions of olive trees and in the distance you can see the Gulf of Itea (where our boat was harbored). The views were tremendous and the site was so peaceful. For many centuries this was the religious and spiritual center of the ancient Greek world. Legend had it that Zeus dispatched two eagles from the ends of the universe to find the center of the universe. The two met at Delphi. Pilgrims and messengers flocked to Delphi to seek the advise of the god and an oracle whenever they were about to make a serious decision or initiative. We missed the 5:00 bus back to Itea so rather than wait 3 hours we took a taxi for 15 Euro.
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Itea
Wed. Sept. 5 We decided to move to Itea early this morning before the wind kicked up again. Good move. Beautiful unfinished but very protected harbor. We tied along side on the breakwall. ChaliVentures arrived shortly after. Another American boat "Hand Basket" from New York City (friends of ChaliVentures) was already there. We walked around town, checked on car rentals and met up with Allie and Chuck for lunch. Perfect timing as we arrived back to the boat the "rain" began. It never rained a lot but the wind blew 20-25 gusting to 30 for about 3 hours. We helped a German boat land during that time. What a zoo. They through us a line that didn't stay tied to their cleat but with some maneuvering we eventually had them along side. We read our new book about Delphi until things settled down. We'll probably make that trip tomorrow. Kathy off of Hand Basket just came by to invite us for cocktails. So going to run.
Love Sally and Al
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Itea
September 4 , 2007
Hi, We decided to stay in Galaxidi today and sightsee. The wind was blowing down the harbor hitting the boats broadside and we were worried the anchor may break loose. Two of the boats had to reset their anchors last night. We visited an excellent museum of Galaxidi when it was a flourishing shipping village. English translation definitely add to the experience. We wandered the town and visited the cathedral. Our boat was a bit lopsided when we got back because of the strong winds so we ran another spring line to the stern of the boat which helped relieve the strain. Our goofy "harbor master" was running around waving boats in to tie off on nothing but rubble. One Italian sailor was really angry with us because we wouldn't move a Greek fishing boat on a mooring ball between us so he could come in. I think he thought it was our dinghy or something. Anyway due to lack of communication he milled around shouting at us for a long time before the "harbor master" convinced him to come where he wanted him. The winds died down about 8:00 and we went to dinner on the quay with Allie and Chuck. What a fun experience. Our waiter was quite a character and salesman. He took us back to view his fish. He'd pull on lobsters throw them on a scale. See no problem we cook these up right away. No then he'd try others. Finally we settled on two orders of mussels and two sea bass. Both were excellent and the best we've had anywhere! He gave us wine samples before we chose our house wine for the evening and after dinner he gave us crisp cold watermelon. Fun time.
Mon. Sept. 3 We left Trizonia for Itea about 9:30. We had a little wind off the stern so we put up the main and motor sailed. We decided to check out Galaxidhi recommended to us by "Olivia". Mats and Ann are a Swedish couple we met back in Otranto last May. Galaxidhi harbor is under construction but we were waved in by the "harbormaster"? For 5 Euro he helped us land the boat, ordered a fuel tanker and provided information. We dropped a stern anchor and bowed in. Four other boats arrived shortly after including ChaliVentures. It's a pretty town and was once was a thriving shipping town. We plan to catch the bus to Delphi tomorrow. Perhaps the oracles are still providing information about the future :->
Love Sally
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Island of Trizonia
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Island Trizonia| lunch
September 2, 2007
Hi, We had a nice night at anchor. We pulled into the breakwall early Sun. morning. Cute little village. We walked over to the village square. We ate lunch along the fishing quay and watched a caique ferry running between mainland and Trizonia Island bring a baptismal party to the church. Our friends on ChaliVentures was at anchor when we returned to the boat. Allie and Chuck came in for a visit. Later we grilled and enjoyed a quiet evening. I woke about 3 AM to the first "rain" (sprinkles) we've had since last May in Dubrovnik.
Greece | Gulf of Corinth | Trizonia breakwall
Greece | Gulf of Patras| Rion Suspension Bridge
Greece | Gulf of Patras | Rion Suspension Bridge
September 1, 2007
Hi, Happy Labor Day Weekend! We woke to heavy fog this morning. It started to clear off about 10:00 so we pulled up anchor and headed for Navparktos beyond the Rion Suspension Bridge. We had a quiet no wind day as we traveled the Gulf of Patras. Lots of ship traffic. The current and wind started to pick up as we approached the bridge. We called the bridge for navigational directions but they didn't answer until 2nm off. We were directed to pass in the middle because of the height of our mast. Once past the bridge we pulled out the jib. We were seeing 25 kts of wind and gusts to 30. We decided to alter course to Trizonia Island. Our new almanac said boats greater than 12 meters were not allowed in the harbor and the anchorage had wind and seas heading directly into it. (probably quiet down later but...) We sailed 12 miles further to a lovely protected anchorage. Of course the wind was gusting over the hills of the island as we dropped anchor but it settled down nicely within half an hour. Nice harbor but looks pretty full. Two other boats were already at anchor so we did too.
Love Sally and Al
