Blog #4 Greece
22nd
August ® 2nd September2014
Yasas ( howzit in Greek! )
Ti Kanete (How are you?)
I ended my last blog to you all on
the 21st August from Galaxidi on the Greek Mainland.
As we motored away from Galaxidi I
felt sad to leave this amazingly beautiful place. We were now on our way to
Trizonia where we went alongside a dock in a neglected Marina. We walked around
the very cute, little town in a pumping 30 knot north wind which was blowing up
our dresses!
Next it was a long sail to Ithaki Island.
This island is famous for being the mythical home of Homer’s Odysseus. On the
way we sailed under the huge ‘Patras’ bridge which joins mainland Greece to the
Peloponnese.
Here we anchored in the beautiful bay
of Kioni. I loved snorkelling here with my mom in the crystal, clear turquoise
water. It was hilarious when my dad was swimming across the bay and the skipper
on a 52 ft Lagoon catamaran shouted at him to get out of the way. My dad said
“relax”, I am swimming. The skipper answered by saying, “When you are dead, I
will not relax”! Another time we were all on the foredeck when Tadji jumped
into the water and swam across the bay and sneaked aboard the big day ferry. Suddenly
there he was on the top deck, jumping into the sea! This he did a few times. It
was rather naughty, he was lucky that the Captain did not see him.
We had a lovely sail in flat water to
the Island of Manganisi and here we anchored in Abelike Bay. We went for a
snorkel right around a small Island. For the first time we saw some orange
coral. We walked to Vathi Town but we got lost on the way in the dark as we
took the wrong road. Eventually we found it and had a yummy souvlaki giro on
the quayside. After dinner we shopped in the supermarket and on the way back to
the boat in our dinghy we passed close to the most beautiful, old, vintage
style powerboat.
The next day we had a waterpolo match
in the water behind the boat. We made goal posts by tying fenders to the stern
ropes. Tadji and I beat the oldies, dad and Wojtek by 8 to 5. They also got
shouted at by referee Bloss because they wanted to put on lifejackets as they
were getting too tired of treading water!!
The next morning we all went for a
run. No one thought to bring any water and that was a mistake as it was about
30 degrees. On top of that my running shoes are too small for me so my toes
were aching and I couldn’t get rid of a stitch that was with me on and off for
the whole six kilometres.
We motored to the Island of Levkas.
To get to Levkas Marina we had to go through the first part of the Levkas canal
which is not nearly as spectacular as the Corinth Canal. Taking this short cut
saved us doing at least 60 nautical miles. Our next mission was touring the
Island in our 7 seater Nissan Evalia hired car. We stopped at the inland towns
of Kayra and Englouvi but by far my favourite was going down the long, steep,
narrow and very windy road to Kalamatis beach with its milky turquoise water
and super high rocks to jump off.
We had dinner in the town at night
and looked at all the lovely shops. I bought a pair of colourful espadrille
shoes. They are so comfortable, I love them.
The following morning at 11 am we
rushed to get out of the Levkas Canal as the floating bridge with a boat name
on it opens every hour. We were now in the North Ionian Sea. Our next stop was
Anti Paxi. We had a quick swim in the turquoise, blue water because it is not
safe enough to anchor there overnight. We then moved on to Mongonisi Bay on
Paxi Island. I was so excited as we hired scooters for 24 hours. My dad and I
explored the Island.
It was perfect as it is not too
mountainous. There are also beautiful places to see such as the towns of Logos,
Lakka and Gaios and the incredible beach of Ermitis. To get there we had to
walk down 280 steps but wow it was worth it. This amazing spot is surrounded by
sheer cliff faces and we discovered a fresh water ‘well’ on the beach.
That night none of us could sleep
because of a traditional Greek wedding happening at the taverna on the beach.
The guests arrived at 10 pm and played pumping loud Greek music with only two
English songs – ‘Staying Alive’ and ‘Mambo no 5’! Music was finally switched
off at 5 am. Part of the celebration was an amazing fireworks display. We all
wanted to join in the fun.
Most mornings I tell Tadji to get up
onto the foredeck to do his stretching exercises. The moms giggle away in the
background.
We had an exciting downwind spinnaker
sail to the big Island of Corfu. Here we booked in at Gouvia Marina. That night
the rain bucketed down. It felt weird since this was our first bad weather in
our whole two months of cruising so far. I was happy we were safely tied to the
dock.
Sorry I have to go now my dad needs
me on deck.
Kali andhamosi (see you soon)
Love Tristy xx
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