Greece…

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Our first stop in Greece. Kastellorizo.
Our cruise through the Greek Islands.

After the adventures of the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, it was with great excitement and relief that we reached the Mediterranean. We cleared into Cypress, and after enjoying our first taste of Europe and having a rested and re-grouped, we set sail for Greece. Kastellorizo was our first Greek port of entry. We navigated our way into the harbour at 2am, with the Hellenic Coast Guard sneaking up beside us, completely unlit and not on AIS. They asked us to state our business, then wished us a pleasant stay in Greece. The town was lit up like a fairytale. We dropped anchor, slept well, and in the morning sunlight, I fell in love with this place. There is a permanent population of around 600 people, although the population increases during the summer months. Kastellorizo remains the absolute highlight of the Mediterranean for me. With hills to walk and castles and churches to explore, and a couple of well-stocked supermarkets, tavernas, and even a bakery. It was everything I’d hoped for in a Greek island. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

The waterfront in Kastellorizo at night.
The symbol of Kastellorizo or Megisti (the Greek name). The heart symbolises love, the cross represents the Orthodox faith, and the anchor, is a symbol of hope the maritime history of the island.
The enormous Blue Star Ferry comes twice a week. It stays 20 minutes, but blocks the whole entrance to the harbour.
Innocenti anchored at Kastellorizo.
My favourite place. Kastellorizo
My favourite cruising gals. Sandy and Ruth. We walked up to the monastery.
Kastellorizo by night.

There are literally hundreds of Greek Islands, each province having its own unique style of architecture and colour, and some more touristic than others. Some of the islands are very dry, but further to the north west, there were Cypress and eucalyptus trees. We tended to try and avoid the crowds and enjoyed the hospitality in the smaller villages. No matter how small the town, there was always a taverna where we could buy a cold drink and something to eat.

Red and white.
Ocre and yellow.
The colours of Greece.

After the boat was struck by lightening, we spent a week in Kos at the marina. It was nice to have a city experience, to make repairs and learn about some history. We hired bikes and visited  Hippocrates’ Tree. This is where the “Father of Medicine” taught his students. Greece produced some pretty clever people such as Socrates, Plato, and Pythagoras, not to mention Nana Mouskouri and Demis Roussos.😆

One of the churches at Kithnos.
The monastery of Saint Michael at Panomitis, Simi.
Tiny churches everywhere, even out in the middle of nowhere.

I loved the Greek food. Tomatoes, cucumber, fetta cheese, grilled meat, seafood, and the amazing invention, gyros.

When in Greece drink Ouzo.
Great Greek beer
Gyros.
Greek salad.
Octopus drying.
So many cats…
Meeting the local artisan weaver. Meganisi.
Innocenti anchored at Perdika.
Perdika sunset.
Parga.

I think we’ll be back next season. I’ve heard it’s quite easy to get a “Golden Visa” here. Mmmmm, maybe there might be a house in Kastellorizo or an apartment in Corfu (or Samos, Simi, or Lefkos) in our future…

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