Our Turkish Gulet the Almira knifes through a mirror sea, with a gentle rumble from below we’re heading for Pythagorean on the Island of Samos. The harbour of Pythagorean is famed for its mathematician Pythagoras and his theorem: the square on the hypotenuse. In ancient times this harbour traded in goods but today yacht tourism does the same. Outside its walls yachts at anchor rest quietly in the sun waiting for room at the quay. Creating our own wind with the motion of our engine a cooling breeze slips over our bow as we enter the harbour of Pythagorean. Our spot by the quay had been booked in advanced and ensured an idyllic location to have lunch before heading by coach to the Islands capital Vathi and the Archaeological Museum that’s there. Continue reading ‘Pythagorean and Samos Archaeological Museum’
Bella Vista taverna is high on a hillside overlooking Emerald Bay on Anti Paxos. One of only two tavernas on the island Bella Vista’s prime location provides one of the least known amazing views in Greece.
Family owned for over 20 years Bella Vista is supplied by sea via a small harbour half a mile south of Emerald Bay by its rickety vehicle that’s never left the Island from the day it first arrived. Every day it climbs a well worn track out of site from Emerald Bay.
For the visitor white steps can be found leading up to Bella Vista taverna from Emerald Bay itself. Numerous hand made signed strategically placed along its path (amongst the trees) invites the visitor to climb even further to reach this spectacular view. Continue reading ‘Amazing view at Taverna Bella Vista – Anti Paxos’
Every Greek Island has its own special place. A view, a location, an event. There is always one particular spot on an Island that remains prominent in everyone’s memory. For us it was Emerald Bay on Anti Paxos.
Anti Paxos is a small island 2 miles south of Paxos its 1 mile wide 2.5 miles long with only a few houses, that are very difficult to see on this lush green island. The island has no fresh water or electricity either, what it does have is Emerald Bay. Continue reading ‘Emerald Bay the highlight of our sailing adventure – Anti Paxos’
Fabrizio on his Catamaran in Lakka (Paxos) recommended Pera Pigadhi to Cristina and myself over a pint of Mythos. “It’s a beautiful spot” he said “Clear blue water the best quality water I’ve seen south of Lefkas” According to Cristina, Italians are experts at finding perfect locations by the sea. Secluded locations and perfect water is there speciality I’m told.
Reading the Cruising Guide of the Ionion Islands (by Rod Heikell) the reference to big bold rats on the Island did not go amiss.
Pera Pigadhi is an Island off the south east coast of Ithaca. It has a quay that can handle only 5 – 6 yachts moored stern or bows to. It’s a rugged little island with no inhabitance Continue reading ‘Pera Pigadhi (Rat) Island, Ithaca’
As a sailing enthusiast. The progression of learning to sail generally starts from Dingy sailing. After that, the next level of learning is probably on a Flotilla sailing Holiday. Then maybe a charter or two in which you go bareboat and sail to destinations without the watchful guidance of a flotilla skipper. It’s at this stage people generally either stay happy with bareboat charter or they feel sufficiently experience and knowledgeable to consider buying their own yacht. Continue reading ‘Heavy Weather Sailing Advice’
following the previous post ‘Buying a yacht’… in part 6.
Living on a yacht in Greece has its own set of rules. Everything revolves around the wind and the summer heat so pacing yourself is important. My routine is getting up in the morning around 8am when it’s still cool and have a cup of coffee in the cockpit. It’s a lovely time of the day, everything is fresh and you can sit back and watch the islands come alive.
following the previous post ‘Education’… in part 5.
Buying a yacht is the most expensive aspect of sailing into the sunset. Yet the expense can be less than you think. Assuming you’re looking for a second-hand yacht in the 30- 32ft range.
Expect to pay $45000.00 (£30,000.00) that’s about $1500.00 (£1000.00) per foot here in the Mediterranean. This is the approximate cost (rule of thumb) for a regularly maintained second-hand yacht. If you want to pay less Continue reading ‘Sailing into the Sunset and how to do it! – Part 6′
following the previous post ‘Education’… in part 4.
Taking the plunge without the risk: Another option is a flotilla sailing holiday in the Ionian. There are numerous Sailing companies based in the Ionian that teach sailing and run flotillas. A sailing holiday as part of a flotilla has a lot of advantages.
following the previous post ‘Size of yacht’… in part 3.
If you have never sailed before and have no idea how to go about it… but want to try. The best place to start is with your local dinghy sailing club. You may think… what do dinghies have to do with sailing a yacht in the sea? It’s this… dinghies teach you the basics of being ‘Wind aware’ and how to harness the wind to drive your boat through the water.
In a dinghy to keep it upright whilst sailing you need to counter balance it with your weight… if you get it wrong you get wet. (Yachts just slow to a stop) This experience in an unforgiving little dinghy gives you a much better feeling for the wind and what it is doing. Continue reading ‘Sailing into the Sunset and how to do it! – Part 4′
following the previous post ‘Introduction’… in part 2.
Size of yacht… Most would assume the bigger the better and in a way they would be right. The bigger the yacht the more room you have below. With the extra space you can spread out and feel less cramped. If you have the money to spare and can afford the additional costs of moorings & maintenance (Maintenance & Yard expenses will be covered in a later post) then this option is fine. But if you were sailing short handed would a yacht sailed mostly by two be enough crew to cope?
People are creatures of habit and with yachts it’s no different. Any yacht between the sizes of 30ft – 40ft is likely to be filled with accumulated gear over time. In no time at all your wet lockers (deck gear) and storage space will soon fill up. It takes a concerted effort to be frugal with your creature comforts. If not you’ll soon be swamped with clutter. A balance needs to be made between comfort and practicality. Continue reading ‘Sailing into the Sunset and how to do it! – Part 3′
Beginning to get on top of things. will also be seeing the surgen soon for op appointment after xmass I think10:33:27 AM November 29, 2009from TweetDeck
Met an old fried from Corfu today reminiscing about characters that'd lived there, Nick the N*b a nudist stayed in peoples memory apparently08:17:18 PM October 26, 2009from TweetDeck
Our Turkish Gulet the Almira knifes through a mirror sea, with a gentle rumble from below we’re heading for Pythagorean on the Island of Samos. The harbour of Pythagorean is famed for its mathematician Pythagoras and his theorem: the square on the hypotenuse. In ancient times this harbour traded in goods but today yacht tourism does the same. Outside its walls yachts at anchor rest quietly in the sun waiting for room at the quay. Creating our own wind with the motion of our engine a cooling breeze slips over our bow as we enter the harbour of Pythagorean. Our spot by the quay had been booked in advanced and ensured an idyllic location to have lunch before heading by coach to the Islands capital Vathi and the Archaeological Museum that’s there. Continue reading ‘Pythagorean and Samos Archaeological Museum’
Every Greek Island has its own special place. A view, a location, an event. There is always one particular spot on an Island that remains prominent in everyone’s memory. For us it was Emerald Bay on Anti Paxos.
Fabrizio on his Catamaran in Lakka (Paxos) recommended Pera Pigadhi to Cristina and myself over a pint of Mythos. “It’s a beautiful spot” he said “Clear blue water the best quality water I’ve seen south of Lefkas” According to Cristina, Italians are experts at finding perfect locations by the sea. Secluded locations and perfect water is there speciality I’m told.
In a dinghy to keep it upright whilst sailing you need to counter balance it with your weight… if you get it wrong you get wet. (Yachts just slow to a stop) This experience in an unforgiving little dinghy gives you a much better feeling for the wind and what it is doing. 
People are creatures of habit and with yachts it’s no different. Any yacht between the sizes of 30ft – 40ft is likely to be filled with accumulated gear over time. In no time at all your wet lockers (deck gear) and storage space will soon fill up. It takes a concerted effort to be frugal with your creature comforts. If not you’ll soon be swamped with clutter. A balance needs to be made between comfort and practicality. 
