Celebrating with Family
Arriving in Lavrio Greece
It had been a blur of amazing travel with our four weeks in Alaska completed. Returning to Katherine we had no time to spare before welcoming family onboard.
Ian and Shan last joined us onboard Katherine in Denmark to celebrate Ian’s 50th Birthday. So here we were 10 years on and sharing the entrance to another decade in the warmer waters of Greece.
On the road again
As always our plans are dictated by the weather and this trip was to be no exception as the winds continued to blow hard from the north. So we headed off on a short road trip passing first over the historic Corinth Canal, then driving the southern rim of the Gulf before crossing the bridge Rio Antirio that connects the Peloponnese to the mainland. Our destination the village of Galaxidi with its two natural harbours steeped in maritime history and lined with colourful Captain Houses.
Our Accommodation Galaxidi
Our accommodation on this stay in Galaxidi was just a few streets away from the harbour. The owner was very passionate about the history of the home that belonged originally to her Grandfather. With a small garden terrace out the back it was the perfect place to be based, though the interior was very much like sleeping in a historical museum overflowing with mementoes of the past.
Narrow streets and dodging Mobility Scooters
As we had done earlier in the season with Gabi and Hans, staying in Galaxidi made for an easy drive to the Archeological site of Delphi - well easy in distance, challenging at times with the Greek traffic and googles directions that saw us short cutting through Olive groves.
Excited to welcome Scott back onboard
So having been overloaded in their first few days with all things Greek from food to facts it was time to return to Katherine to welcome Scott onboard and to head out of harbour to experience a little of Greece from the sea.
Our first island stop - the Island of Kea - here we visited two bays Otzia on the northern tip and Voukari a short distance south. There was plenty of food enjoyed as local restaurants were researched including the ice-cream shops, relaxation and reprieve from the heat achieved by hours in the cool waters and steps accomplished by wandering the old town of Loulida with its winding cobblestones streets and never ending steps leading up and down.
Kalona Bay Kythnos
It was just a short sail to our next anchorage where we tied stern to the rocks to create our own back yard swimming pool in Kalona Bay on the island of Kythnos.
We had hoped to spend an additional day in Kalona but the commotion in the anchorage the next morning at 5am as the winds built changed that idea. We came up top to find our neighbour dragging precariously close to our stern lines with their Bimini, so after assisting them to safely move we decided we may as well move ourselves. So an early morning start was had to cross the paddock to Poros, a 44 nm sail back to the Pelopponese’s where the winds were definitely forecast to be kinder.
Early morning serenity
Poros is an island connected to the Peloponnese’s by a ferry service. It is also home to a lot of charter boats so the harbour tends to be very busy with boats coming and going particularly on weekends. Sitting in a cafe boat and people watching can be very entertaining and also a relief that you are not involved. One of the reasons we always avoid the harbour and anchor around the corner in Monastary Bay.
The town also provides the perfect place to spend time wandering the hillside streets, shopping in one of the many shops and dining in some great restaurants.
Sailing back to Olympic Marina we had our last night on anchor at the foot of Poseidon’s Temple. Always a special place to stop for the night.
Our sailing loop
So over eight nights we had managed to sail 120nm to three of our favourite islands sharing a little of Greece that we have enjoyed since being in the Cyclades from 2021.
But the 60th birthday trip was not yet complete - we were off to explore Athens.
We had secured accommodation in Plaka, with a view of the Acropolis - well a view over the hot water systems wasn’t bad and the balcony was a bonus to sit on and take in the streets below on sunset. In reality the view did not matter, for no where you walk in central Athens glimpses of the Acropolis appear. We love Athens and find that a few days in the chaos is just enough to leave wanting to return to discover more.
The restaurants, museums, historical ruins, shopping keeps one very busy over a three night stay. It was the perfect way to finish a great trip with family.
Cant wait till Ian’s 70th to see where in the world we will celebrate.