 |
| Abelike Bay |
 |
Snow over Delphi
|
 |
Are we safe?
|
 |
Mooring for the night
|
 |
Restaurant- Taverna
|
 |
Paros
|
 |
O Panormos Astypalia
|
 |
| Only in Greece - the Mausoleum/Chapel/Crypt in better condition than the house |
 |
| Vathi Astypalia |
 |
| Simi |
 |
Simi
|
We left Corfu heading south in to a southerly breeze that
increased as the day went on. It is a familiar journey and we eventually made
it to Preveza where we stopped for one day. Continuing to Abelike Bay on
Meganisi, it started to really feel like we could unwind and prepare for the
long distances we had to make in the next few days. We were already 3 days late
on our planned program to Marmaris to meet up with Graham and Lorraine.
From Meganisi it was
another long day to Galaxidi in the Gulf of Corinth where we tied up to the
town quay in the last space available between a catamaran and a monohull. We
were there to take on diesel which we did the next morning and promptly left on
our eastward journey. Galaxidi was the last place with which we were familiar.
In the Gulf of Corinth we were for a time surrounded by
large pods of dolphins. Some of them travelled with us for quite a distance
jumping, playing, riding the bow wave and turning to look up at us. It was a magical experience. And we passed
other pods not far off. We think they were travelling to a dolphin conference
nearby.
Corinth Canal Transit
Our transit of the canal was uneventful. We only had to wait
5 minutes to allow a slowly traversing freighter to gain some distance. We were
instructed to proceed at full speed which we did. The eastern side of the canal
where dues are paid is not a great place to tie up to while visiting the canal
office. We completed the E194 payment and continued on our way, hoping to get
to Poros, to meet up with Bob and Sue on Othali. We did not get that far, and
ended up sheltered behind a small island – Nisis Dhoroussa. The safest place
was backed on to the local taverna quay. Of course we had to dine at the
tavern. Shared fried Octopus rings and a Greek salad. It was pleasant enough in
a beautiful setting.
With .4 of a metre under the keel. In calm conditions in the
Med this is just ok. Our anchor was well dug in to the sand. However, at 3am
the wind came up with a slight chop, so outside we went to change the short
mooring lines to longer ones and pull ourselves further off the quay. This gave
us enough respite until 7.30am when we continued on our way. The intended stop
at Poros did not occur as we had a weather forecast for strong southerly winds
expected to last up to 6 days, so, as we were already 3 days late, we decided
to carry on and arrived at Kithnos to a fairly pleasant anchorage with a sand
bar dividing two bays.
Next stop was Paros – unfortunately missing Sue & Bob,
Serifos, and Sifnos. But it did put us back on schedule for Marmaris. Paros –
Paioikia is a pleasant place with a ferry port and small marina. We had time
for a walk around. More diesel and arrange a mechanic to get the outboard
going. The carburettor was blocked and that small job is beyond my ability.
Will U tube it for next time.
Astipalaia was our next stop after a long day motoring with
little or no wind. The 6 days of high southerlies have mysteriously
disappeared. The chosen Bay – O Panormos is landlocked – sheltered and
isolated. No sign of life anywhere except for the myriad of goats on the nearby
hills with their bleating and bells.
These places are few and far between, so we are staying for the day to break
the journey, relax, and enjoy the surroundings.
Vathi (many harbours are named Vathi) was another landlocked
jewel only 6 miles from O. Panormos and we spent 2 days relaxing enough to be
dangerous.
As always, today the sky is blue with no clouds. It is
however, too cold for swimming and the nights are also cold.
From Astipalaia to Simi is a long day, and we left the
anchorage at 5.30.Our earliest start ever. Of course there was not much wind
and paseed Nisiros the halfway mark and we continued uneventfully to Simi where
we were to stay for the next 4 days.
Bureaucracy. In Simi
we tried to complete the new cruising tax – Tepal, registering on the Greek tax
system. We had tried without success a
few times on the way when we had wi-fi, but were now desperate as we needed a
receipt before we could check in. The Port Police were no help and suggested we
ask other “boat people”. There had been a lot of discussion on cruiser nets and
I eventually completed registration myself. Wen to Customs – paid E98.72, got a
receipt and went back to Port Authority to check in. That completed, went to
Port Police to check out. Passports stamped, it was back to Port Authority to
check out. This whole process has been time consuming and stressful.
Unfortunately Raewyn suffered the effect that the stress had on me, which she
did stoically (well almost)
We were now free to leave. Bob and Sue on Othali caught us
up so we decided to stay an extra 2 days. – Overstayers, so we have kept a low
profile as Port Police, Coast Guard, and Port Authorities are everywhere. One
yacht left in a helluva hurry and it transpired they were Russian. The police
were making enquiries as to the crew whereabouts. No one knew, but trhgey
appeared suddenly with huge quantities of beer and vodka, got on board and left
quickly. Apparently they had no papers and had not paid tax. In other words me
in previous years. This got us concerned as we were overstayers . However, we
are now preparing to leave without any issues. – Got out of jail again.
Simi is everything the postcards express. A beautiful town,
pastel coloured buildings rising up the hill from the waterfront. Restaurants
and tourist shops fringing the waterfront.
It receives 1000’s of tourists
each day who arrive on large ferries. The ferries create a wash in the harbour.
Yachts are anchored stern to on both sides of the harbour and consequently
crossed anchors ensue.
We took a bus trip to the next Bay – Pedi beach. One hour
return through the village on the hill above the harbour.
Refugees . There are quite a few Syrian? Refugees sat the
Police Station. We understand they are not fed or cared for – just spend the
day sitting outside the police station. But someone must be feeding them.
Raewyn and Sue purchased some bubble toys, fruit and vegetables and gave them
to the refugees. Our mascot Shaun also joined the refugees in sympathy. It is
not a pleasant situation.
Now it is off to Marmaris to meet Graham and Lorraine. Sue
and Bob will accompany us.
