2009 Ports of Call 32 - 41

 

Click on this link and you will be directed to pictures of all 2009 trips.

 

Greece:  Gulfs of Evia to Trikeri Strait

Jul 20 - 24

 

It’s called meltemi, the prevailing northeast wind that blows down through the Aegean Sea.  It begins fitfully in June, blows strongest in July and August and dies at the end of October.  It certainly created some rough cruising as we headed north through the Gulfs of Evia.

 

Evia is the second largest island in Greece (after Crete).  It lies east of the mainland with which it forms two large gulfs.  It is linked to the mainland at the Strait of Evripos, a narrow channel only 129 feet wide where the current frequently reaches eight miles an hour and changes direction every six hours.  Ancient sages and modern researchers have studied this phenomenon concluding that it’s the moon’s attraction.  However, it is said that Aristotle flung himself into the channel because of his inability to explain it.

 

The bridge over the narrow channel only opens at night, usually after midnight (and not on Fridays).  So you must anchor in the harbor, register with port police, and wait for the call.  We did, having dinner in the meantime, followed by a beautiful night cruise watching shooting stars.  Two more anchor nights along with calmer winds and beautiful scenery topped off this long trip.

Greece:  Skiathos Island

Jul 24 - Aug 2

 

One of our books says the Sporades are the most charming, the most enchanting islands in the Aegean.  They are certainly gorgeous with their mountainous greenery, blue and emerald waters, and sandy beaches.  We definitely went overboard with pictures.

 

Skiathos Island, the Greek Riviera, was our port for more than a week.  The Bradleys departed from here after a day of sight seeing and eating.  Then we stayed for a week of rest and maintenance; although rest was a bit difficult since it is truly a party town throughout the entire night.

 

Blaine, Peg, and Carolyn (friends from Houston days) joined us in Skiathos town for a day and night of seeing the sites and provisioning the boat.  Then we cruised to Koukounaries Cove/Beach, which claims to be the most beautiful beach in Greece.  We swam, water skied, and the women explored the Strofylia pond and St. Eleni Beach, a short walk away.

 

The next day we continued our cruise around this beautiful island of Skiathos stopping for lunch and a swim at Lalaria, ‘where nature meets the gods’, pictured above, accessible only by boat.  It was an awesome place to experience.

Greece:  Skopelos Island

Aug 2 - 5

 

On to Skopelos, the Mamma Mia island.  It is a paradise of dense pine forests, olive groves, and orchards, supposedly the greenest in Greece.  Villages overlook the shores and trees line the beaches.

 

We headed first to Panormos Bay, supposedly the most beautiful on the island, but our anchor would not stick so we back-tracked to Loutraki with delightful Glossa clustered on the steep hillside above.  It was a pretty and peaceful evening; we were happy to have returned.

 

Then it was on to Point Kastri, pictured above, where several scenes from Mamma Mia were shot, most notably the wedding church St. Ioannis, on top of the rock.  Four of us swam to shore and climbed the 140 steps.  We were treated to breath-taking views, including The Prize below.

 

Skopelos town was next, where the churches (120) and houses look like ‘sugar cubes tumbling down the mountain’.  They are piled one upon another around a rock amphi-theatre above the harbor.  We left this delightful and relaxing place sooner than we wanted due to high winds on the sea.   Blaine, Peg, and Carolyn also started their journey home.