Paros to Siros - Photos of the Chart

Ahoy PAROS

Iridis departed from Mykonos around 7 am and we saw the beautiful pink sun rise behind us as we started motoring to the island of Paros. Some of the crew was still up from casting off Reggina at 5am, and some just lollygaging back from town after late night dancing and souvlaki.
By 9 am Iridis had lifted the main sail and experienced strong winds again....25-30knts... many beufords. (not sure about the scale yet.) Captain Nic took a break and Julia and Kathy helmed a bit.
In Kea, Iridis gained an electrical converter and in Mykonos, we picked up many bad arse tattoos... but perhaps lost a yellow jib sheet and dignity.
Nicole found an amazing cove at the north end of Paros, called O Naousis on the chart. Reggina joined us at the cove after dropping off three people (Sarah, Tiffany & Lindsey) in town so they could catch a ferry to Santorini.
At the cove, the views and colors of the water were like gemstones, and the beach had plenty of sea glass, marble rock and quartz. Chuck made everyone delicious frappe drinks, then Kathy, Liz, Liz, Leslie and Nikoletta went to shore to do some hiking while Erik and Julia snorkeled and others sunbathed on the swimming platform off the back of the boat.
The crotch views and backsides of the nudists not so enjoyable. Early full moons.
While sailing from the cove at Naousa to the town of Paroikia, we lost one more hat... then encountered some more challenges with med mooring. Our bow thrusters are unreliable and giving us trouble--which makes the docking process that more tricky.
For dinner last night, Nikolettta prepared a traditional Greek dinner that included spanikopota, salad, mushrooms and sweets for dessert.
Today we are spending the day in Paros. Activities include moving boats, re-anchoring, shopping/provisioning, visiting the beach and, of course, sunbathing. We will try to post some photos soon!

Got to Mykonos

Hello,

Well, we are docked in Mykonos...

We had our first experience with this Med Mooring.... essentiallly backing into a sea wall and throwing our anchor over.  It was interesting, but after a couple failed attemps and some nice greek on-lookers both boats made it to shore and we were able to dock next to each other.

This morning Captain Mike woke  at 6am to set sail.... everyone was troopers and woke for a great sunrise sail to Mykonos.  After sailing over 60 nautical miles in 30+ knots of breeze we moored (again).  Each time we get better and better, but everyone is super helpful.

The girls on Reggina learned to sail 6 + foot rollers and everyone is learning how much fun big wind can be.

Tomorrow we depart for Paros (EARLY).  The boats will spend 2 days in Paros so some of the sailors can to Santorini.

Sorry no pics yet... the Greek writing is challenging.

Missing you in the States, but having the time of our lives.
Captain Nic

Santorini

Hello All,

We've had the most amazing time in Rhodes and Santorini and in a few hours we're off to catch the midnight ferry to Athens.  Everyone is extremely excited to get on the boats and set sail.  The weather has been perfect.  80+ degrees, sunny and a little breeze.  Of course Mike and I are hoping the wind picks up but we're 100nm away from Athens so things can change.

Once we get to the boat I'll try to download some pictures.
~nic

Final days before we leave for Greece

So everyone is gearing up to jet set off to Athens. We have 16 sailor for this trip. Due to the high demand we've actually fill two Bavaria 45' Cruisers. They look like super cool boats. They even come with a PC and internet.

Everyone is really excited about going. Many of the sailors are getting to Europe early. Some are seeing Italy, others are off to Turkey, and still more are cruising around some additional islands. There are 5 of us meeting up in Rhodes. Rhodes is just south of Turkey in the Dodecanese Islands. From there we'll be traveling to Santorini for a few days before hoping a ferry to Athens where we pick up the boats.

Our trip will start in Alimos, Athens on Saturday, Sept 11th. We hope to set sail around 3pm and head south to Sounion. Sounion is a small harbor on the southern tip of the mainland. Here there is the temple of Poseidon and a number of tavernas. I think this will be a good start to our trip. Here we can make a sacrifice and toast to our favorite God of the Sea. Not sure who to sacrifice yet... probably Mike.  But we will definitely be celebrating with Oozo.

From Sounion we'll head to Kea on Sunday. Monday morning (really really early) we'll set sail for Mykonos. Kea to Mykonos is over 45 nautical miles, so the early risers will be taking one for the team. From Mykonos we travel to Paros where we'll spend two days. Paros has numerous ferries that can take you to another fantastic islands including Santorini (Thira). If you've already seen Santorini you can make your way to Naxos, Milos, or Ion for the day.

Once we've had our fill of Paros, we'll set sail Thursday for Syros. Syros is the capital of the Cyclades and our last island. From Syros we've got another LONG sail back to the mainland to drop the boats.  Even though our island hoping will conclude on Friday, we have another night on the boats and another night in Athens to see the Acropolis, Delphi and Plaka.

Just to give you some insight into Greece... here ares some interesting facts....

• Greece is currently the most sexually active country in the world.
• Greece has the highest smoking rates in Europe
• Athens is the oldest city in Europe, and the birthplace of democracy.
• Greece is the only country in the world that is officially Orthodox (Christian)
• Greece is the only country in Europe where state and religion is united.
• Greece has the largest maritime fleet in the world. (15.5%)
• Greece has about 2,000 islands. (227 are inhibited)
• During the World War II, Greece was the only country which had to fight 3 countries continuously (Italy, Albania, Germany). And it was the only country in which it held the most days of resistance. (219 days)
• Hitler referred to Greeks during WWII as "the bravest who fought with the highest disregard of death" (1943)
• Winston Churchill recalled them "Greeks do not fight like heroes. Heroes fight like Greeks." (1941)
• The "Lost City of Atlantis" is believed to be found in the island of Santorini after a volcanic eruption.
• The New Testament was written in Greek.
• Cleopatra was Greek. (She came from the famous Ptolemy family, and she was the only Greek ruler that spoke Egyptian) and... <
• 13% of the English Dictionary is derived from Greek words.

Well, keep your eyes open for more posts... I'll try and give you guys some updates on our progress in conquering Greece.

Tentative Greek Schedule

Greek Lesson #3

ALPHA — Α α                             BETA — Β β

GAMMA — Γ γ                           DELTA — Δ δ

EPSILON — Ε ε                          ZETA — Ζ ζ

ETA — Η η                            THETA — Θ θ

IOTA — Ι ι                              KAPPA — Κ κ

LAMBDA — Λ λ                         MU — Μ μ

NU — Ν ν                              XI (z-eye) — Ξ ξ

OMICRON — Ο ο                            PI — Π π

RHO — Ρ ρ                              SIGMA — Σ σ

TAU — Τ τ                                  UPSILON — Υ υ

PHI (f-iiii) — Φ φ                          CHI (k-eye) — Χ χ

PSI (s-eye) — Ψ ψ                       OMEGA — Ω ω

But can you sing it like the crazy fraternity and sorority boys and girls?

Tentative Cyclade Island Itinerary

Day 1 – Sept 9th:

Leave the USA! Or for you early birds/sailors it’s time to start making your way back to Athens.

Day 2 – Sept 10th:

Arrive in Athens! Depending on what time you get in feel free to tool around the city and see the sites.

Day 3 – Sept 11th:

Get boats at Alimos Marina! We can start our embarkation from Alimos Marina at 5 pm. But first we’ll have a briefing about sailing program, safety equipment; we’ll provision the boast and begin to enjoy our beautiful Bavaria 45’s. The previous charter has to disembark at 9am. So if we can get the boats early and set sail we might get in an extra island. But since we have to be on “Greek Time” a.k.a. vacation time we might just want to chill at the marina for the evening and set sail first thing in the morning.

Day 4 – Sept 12th:
Sailing from Athens to Kea! In the early morning we’ll set sail for Kea which is approximately 45nm. This is our first LONG sail and why we don’t want to leave at 5pm on Saturday (I’d rather get to port in the day light). Kea is your typical Greek Island; slow pace, nice weather, gorgeous vistas. Here we’ll have a free day walking in the picturesque town of Kea and enjoy the traditional cuisine.


The Greek island of Kea is known for many things. It has exceptional beaches and one of the best walking paths and trails of any Greek island. Kea is a hiker's paradise with numbered routes that take you through a variety of landscapes to remote coves and the ruins of ancient cities. The restaurants on Kea are among the best in Greece and the summer features a number of cultural events and an outdoor movie theater with new first-run movies (usually in English) that change every 2 days.


The lyric poets Simonides and Bacchlides come from this island. The picturesque hamlet of Vourkari is most popular and has excellent restaurants. The large protected bay was once an important coaling station for steamers. The beautiful 'Chora' on the hill, a huddle of glaring white houses, is well worth a visit. A large lion carved from the rock face is attributed to an Ionian sculptor from around 600 BC.

Day 5 – Sept 13th:
Sail from Kea to Mykanos! We’re off to Mykanos, one of the most popular Greek Islands and a favorite cosmopolitan holiday resort. Maybe we’ll get to rub elbows with some major VIP's including artists, actors, and models on this very posh island. They suggest seeing area called ''Venice'', where the waves touch the houses. It’s a paradise for those who like night-life (that would be us), but on the other hand still remains a beautiful picturesque Cycladic island.

Mykanos is bursting with life every summer, when party lovers gather to enjoy days and nights full of fun and enjoyment. The clubs, the bars and the beaches are filling up with tourists, celebrities and travelers who want to experience the Greek summer. The luxurious restaurants and traditional taverns are plenty, they suit all tastes and of course, there are dozens of bars and clubs that constitute the famous night life of Mykanos. The best places to swim and enjoy the sun and the clean waters in Mykanos, are located mainly on the south side of the island, where the wind is calmer. Platys Gialos, Psarou, Elia and Kalo Livadi are beautiful sandy seashores, with umbrellas and sun beds and also restaurants and snack bars, aligned by the coast. There are also the wonderful beaches of Kalamopodi (Paradise) and Blidri (Super Paradise), where nudism is allowed. On the rest of the island you will find Panormos, Ftelia, Tourlos and Houlakia. Wherever you go for a swim you can also enjoy various water sports such as water skiing, wind surfing, sailing and fishing. And if you love tennis or mini golf you should visit Agios Stefanos for various sports facilities, found in hotels. Hora, the capital of the island, is very well organized to welcome and service tourists from all over the world and you will always find an English speaking local to help you with information.

Day 6 – Sept 14th:
Sail from Mykanos to Paros! Paros is an island with many many beaches so sunscreen is going to be crucial. The island is fortunate to get some strong, steady winds that make it a great place for windsurfing. There are many open-air festivities, including folk dancers accompanied by the local music and delicious food.


As you will be approaching the port of Paros it is inevitable that the traditional and picturesque profile of Parikia, the capital and main port of the island, will impress you at the first glance. Wandering around the beautiful Cycladic town, which pulses with narrow alleys, imposing arches, small churches and white washed houses, you will come across the ruins of the castle, the most interesting region of the town. Additionally, the archaeological museum, the ruins of the Asklipiio, the remains of a settlement, the famous church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, the sacred monasteries and the natural region Petaloudes, integrate the all-embracing beauty of Parikia. Touring around the magnificent and extremely gifted island of Paros you will come across innumerable natural sites of unique beauty, such as superb beaches with sand or pebbles, fertile plains with olive groves, vine yards and fruit bearing trees and beautiful low hills. During your stay on the island of Paros you can visit Alyki, a coastal settlement with clear sea, Dryos, a region with small ports and sandy beaches, Lefkes, one of the most beautiful and scenic villages of Paros as well as Pounda, Pisso Livadi and Logaras, three coastal sites with amazing beaches and verdure. Moreover, the famous Naoussa, which is a magnificent coastal tourist resort with impressive beaches, sightseeing and archaeological findings, is a very interesting destination for your holidays, while Marpissa, a traditional village full of white houses and small churches, built on a hill, is also worth the visit.


Day 7 – Sept 15th:
Stay in Paros! Instead of setting sail in the morning, we’ll stay put. This will give people the opportunity to explore islands around Paros, including Santorini, Naxos, Ios, Milos or Sifnos. There are numerous ferries that run out of Paros at various times. Check out http://www.greekferries.gr/#greek_islands for ferry times and fees.

Santorini! This island is visually spectacular. The best way to experience its full affect is to approach the island by sea. You’ll feel like you’re sailing into a giant crater. Thira is touristy, Oia is a little quieter but the island is the most popular in Greece and for good reason. The daytime action is at the beaches, Perissa and Kamari. Good Raki and domatokeftedes (fried tomato-balls) are culinary favorites. Ruins of Ancient Thira are worth the trip if you are unimpressed by the most spectacular sunsets on this planet. Most people want to stay in the beautiful hotels overlooking the caldera on the edge of a 1000 foot cliff. Great nightlife, excellent beaches, spectacular scenery makes this one of the world's top destinations.

Naxos! Another overlooked gem in the Aegean, Naxos is big, green and may have the best beaches in Greece. Lively harbor town with restaurants, cafes, clubs and shops. Rent a car and see the whole island. The island has beautiful valleys that are like paradise if you enjoy walking, particularly the area known as Tragaia. The best beach they say is at Plaka with other nice ones at Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Mikri Vigla, and Kastraki, any of which would be the prized beach on any other island. The fishing village of Apollon is a popular location for day trips, with good seafood restaurants and a giant unfinished statue of the God Apollo lying in the ancient marble quarries since 600bc.

Ios! Arrive by day to a quaint white Cycladic Village. By nightfall every house is a disco, bar, fast food or boutique. Not recommended for anyone over 25, at least for not more then a day or so. It's like an international Daytona Beach at Spring Break. If you are of college age this place is it! You will meet boys and girls, you will get drunk and you will most likely sleep with them. If you are older, married, and looking for a nice peaceful island, FORGET about Ios. If you are old and feel like you are young at heart this would be a good place to test it.

Milos! Like Santorini, a volcanic island with spectacular rock formations and hot springs. You can’t walk everywhere so bikes or a car is super important if not essential. This is a beautiful island with fantastic beaches like Paliochori, Hivadolimni and the tiny cove of Sarakiniko, one of the most interesting places to swim on earth. The village of Pollonia has great swimming, restaurants and you can take a boat to the island of Kimilos. The main village of Plaka is made up of the cubic white houses which the Cyclades are known for. The island is rich with archeological sites including Christian catacombs, a roman ampitheatre, venetian castles and museums. Those of you who took art history should recall that the famous Venus de Milo was found here.

Sifnos! For the thirty and older crowd, single or married with children. Apollonia, in the center of the island, has fun nightlife. There are great beaches all around the island and some fantastic food and WINE. Port of Kamares is nice combination of beach, restaurants and a few bars all within walking distance. Vathi is quiet with excellent food at Manolis Taverna. Kamares is one of the best beaches in Greece for families because it is a long sheltered bay that is very shallow so you don't have to worry if you turn your head for a few moments while your child is playing in the sand (and you are sitting in the Kima Cafe a few feet away.) People who visit Sifnos come back year after year.


Day 8 – Sept 16th:

Sail from Paros to Syros! After breakfast we’ll set sail towards Syros. Syros is the capital of the Cyclades and is located about 25nm from Paros. The main harbor has some breathtaking views of the neoclassic buildings and the large pebbled squares. These areas signify the island’s nobility and elegance. They recommend a visit to the Public Theater, which is built in the same style as the Opera of Milan and DO NOT forget to buy the local sweets, loukoumi and chalvadopita.

Syros, the "duchess" of the Cyclades Islands cluster and the "nymph" of the Aegean Sea as we are used to call this superb island, bears an exceptional nobleness that shall enchant you at the very first sight. Ermoupolis, which is the main port and the capital of the island as well as the capital of the whole Cyclades Islands cluster, is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns of Greece as it is amphitheatrically built and pulses with neoclassical buildings and mansions from another era. The spacious square with the palm trees, the imposing town hall, the cultural center, the museum, the municipal theater, the historical monuments and the scenic quarters are the main sightseeing of this magnificent town. Touring around the island of Syros you will come across numerous settlements of unique natural beauty, special traditional picturesque-ness and hospitable insular mentality, which are spread all around embellishing the already amazing landscape. The much-frequented regions of Azolimnos, Vari and Megas Gialos are the main tourist resorts of the island, while Finikas is the ideal place for peaceful vacations. Furthermore, Possidonia (or Delagratsia) and Galissas, which are regarded as the most beautiful settlements of Syros, are gifted with superb sandy beaches and clean waters not to mention their traditional profile with the neoclassical villas and the verdant gardens. Kini, Delfini, Aetos, Sousouni, Grammata, Kymata, Asteria, are also some of the beaches that are worth visiting.

Day 10 – Sept 18th:
Sail from Syros to Alimos Marina! From Syros we’ll head back to Alimos/Athens for our third long sail (~50nm). Once we’ve docked the boat and cleaned up we can explore the harbor and stay on the boat that night!


Day 11 – Sept 18th:

Explore Athens! There is a lot to see in do in Athens and Delphi is a great day trip from the bustling metropolis of Athens. We can split up or stay together! Explore or just relax.

Day 11 – Sept 19th:

Return to the USA! Most flights to the USA will leave fairly early in the day and I know everyone will be sad to see our little trip end. But we’ll make plans to visit again or try something new.

Day 12 – Sept 20th:
Work!  Sadly, I think most of us will have to return to work Monday, but we’ll have some great stories and fantastic photos.

Greek Lesson #2

Let’s count to 10

1 Ena - EN-a

2 Dio - THEE-oh

3 Tria - TREE-a

4 Tessera - TESS-air-uh

5 Pente - PEN-day

6 Exi - EX-ee

7 Epta - EP-TA

8 Octo - oc-TOH

9 Ennea - en-NAY-a

10 Deka - THEK-a

Think you can remember this…

I know it’s going to be hard for me…

what’s the word for WINE? Or OLIVES?

Greek Lesson 1

So… in preparation for our trip I thought it might be helpful to learn a few great words and phrases. Here are a few helpful phrases to master. I’ve written the phrases/words phonetically with the accent the syllable in CAPITAL letters:

KaleeMEra - Good morning

KaleeSPERa - Good evening

YahSU - Hello

EfcareeSTO - Thank you

ParakaLOH - Please, also heard as "you're welcome"

KAthika - I am lost

Now, in Greece… “no” means yes and “yes” means no… well actually. The Greek word for "No" can sound like "Okay" - OH-kee, as in "Okey-dokey" and still others pronounce it "Oh-shee". So remember, if it sounds like "Okay" it means "No way!" The Greek word for "Yes" sounds like "No" - NEH! It may help to think it sounds like "Now", as in "Let's do it right now." So remember…

OHkee – No

And

NEH - Yes

You next lesson will be to count to 10!

Before we start sailing, I'd love to go to Croatia... especailly Plitvice Lakes.  Check out this link...
http://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/plitvicelakes/

Greek Festivals

Summer Festivals in Greece

So I've been doing some research on the different locations for the trip.  Since we don't get the boats until 5pm on Saturday and we have to return the boats by 6pm Friday, I think we'll only have time for 5 islands.  But I'm looking into getting the boats longer (I'm trying to not turn the boats in until Saturday).


Below are a few destinations I've been throwing around and the festivals they have in September.  I'll keep up the research so if you know of anything you'd like to do please let me know. 

1) Athens:

• September 8th is Gennisis tis Theotokou. This is the feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary and is an important religious feast day in the Orthodox religious calendar.
• September 14th is Ypsosis you Timiou Stavrou. This feast day celebrates the Exaltation of the True Cross and is a major summer festival in Athens.

 2) Santorini:

• In September, the Santorini International Music Festival offers holidaymakers a chance to enjoy some international groups, which come here to play at Fira's Petros M. Nomikos Conference Centre. This event lasts just over two weeks and sees some very high attendance figures during that time.

3) Mykonos:

• If you're here in the middle of September, then do check out the feast of the grape harvest, held annual at the Agricultural Museum.
• The main event on the island where one of the local patron saints of Mykonos is honored is August 29th, to celebrate Agios Ioannis.

4) Paros:

• On August 29th, in Lefkes, they celebrate the Feast of St. John
• On September 8, in Marmara, they celebrate the Feast of the Virgin Mary (Pera Panagia)
• On September 4, the Feast of the Holy Cross happens in the Church of Saint Giorgos, the main church of Agairia.
• The Feast of the Holy Spirit, which lasts for three days, is a festival held in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Lefkes. The masses attend the celebration by the throngs, and a traditional feast and religious demonstrations also occur in the midst of all the boisterous merrymaking. (Not sure of the exact date!)
• On August 29, a festival is held in the Monastery of Saint Ioannis Kaparos. The cherry trees, vineyards, vegetation, and panoramic ocean view makes this feast as much a religious event as it is a sightseeing opportunity. The surrounding fields are also filled with delicious mushrooms and snails in the winter as well as scrumptious fresh greens in the summer. Granted, snails as entrees are an acquired taste, but there's no denying the prime location for this special festival.

5) Naxos:

• A rakee distillery festival is also organized in September, as rakee and kitron are the traditional drinks of Naxos.
• From the end of June to early September, one of the main festivals in Naxos is the Dionysia festival, organized every year by the municipality of Naxos. The festival of Dionysia combines artistic and athletic events, and as its name indicates, it reminds of the ancient god of wine, Dionysos. Traditional music along with wine and food are offered at nights.

6) Ios:
August 25th is the most important religious celebrations during summer are the feast of Agios Ioannis Prodromos at the monastery of Pyrgos (the Venetian castle located at the highest spot of the island)

• August 25th is the feast of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) in Kalamos and Psathi during which a meat soup and the traditional bean soup are served, accompanied with traditional music, wine and dances.

Greek TV

Check This Out

On Thursday, March 25th from 8pm until 10pm Washington DC PBS is going to air...

Rick Steve's Mediterranean Mosaic: A tour of southern Greece, Turkey and Croatia. In Greece, sites include the ruins of Olympia, the ancient capital of Mycenae and the fortress town of Monemvasia. In Turkey, stops include Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

You might have to check local listings for times, but here's a link to the DC version.  http://www.weta.org/tv/programsatoz/program/73084

I hope this gets you in the mood for the trip. 

If you haven't already confirmed your status with me... please do so ASAP.  I'm going to book the boats on Friday, March 26th.  We'll either start sailing Sept 11th or Sept 18th.

Greece 2010

So... it's time to confirm our Greece 2010 Trip.

The sailing with begin at 5pm on Saturday, September 18, 2010 and conclude on Saturday, September 25, 2010.  To make the boat on time you'll have to leave the states on Thursday, September 16th but you can catch a return flight on Sunday, September 26th.

If you're interested and haven't sent me a note, check out the estimate and let me know if you want to tag along.  I will book the first boats on March 31st and the first payment of $1,000 will be due on April 15th (Yeah for Federal Refunds!).  Currently, I have one boat booked but the number of interested sailors is growing and I'd love to see you in the Med!
We had so much fun in the BVI and St Martin; you're not going to want to miss this trip of a life time! Some of us will be going early and checking out neighboring Croatia and other fun locations. So ask the boss man (or woman) for the time off and join us for a great sail around the islands.

Chapter 1 of the Dingy Diaries…The Ultimate Dingy Experience Award

Categories

Worst Experience/Most Painful/Best Cruise/Wettest/Funniest

Wettest--- Cara

The gang is excited for their first night on the Boat. The girls are getting ready by putting on their cute dresses and a little glossy lip. As we wait for the group to return from the airport, the boat gets a rockin’ and so do our stomachs. We want to get to land! As soon as the group gets back, a bunch of us are ready to get to experience their first dingy ride. The waves are at least 4 foot and growing. As the boat sways and rocks, the guys hold tight to the dingy. Last one in… Cara, in a gorgeous blue dress, sits up front. She feels safe to know she is off the sailboat and heading to land. Oops… Guess we should have warned her that wettest part of the dingy ride is the front. Soaked head to toe, Cara steps off onto the dock to help find a place for more cocktails. She smiles and walks away from the dingy as fast as a soaked girl can! Sadly, she sloshes around the town looking for a Pina Colada and a lobster. Well, we’re on the wrong side of the bay. The pour girl has to get BACK in the dingy to make it over to Lady C’s and Pineapple Pete’s for some great Mahi and a bucket of Carib. Cara, Thanks for smiling through the WETTEST dingy experience.

Funniest --- Nina

We spent all day enjoying the sun and sand at Prickly Pear Cay after a trying dingy arrival. There was a pretty good swell crashing on the beach, and we watch the young captains master the waves as they landed safely ashore. We can do this! Well, probably not! We load up the dingy, the boys holding it steady as the girl climb in. Scott’s started the engine. Last one… “Come on Nina”… “You can do it”… “Jump”. As Nina was getting left behind, she was up to her shoulders in water but was saving Scott’s driftwood by holding it high above her head. Scott screams, “Don't get the driftwood wet.” Nina's reply, "Take your fucking driftwood!" Justin hoisted Nina into the dingy. This trip back to the boat was full of phrases and laughter. “We were roofed by Elvis;” “You don’t own the ocean;” “Stop gyrating, you’re embarrassing our WHOLE family!” The laughter brought tears… what a great day! And best of all, the driftwood made it safely back to the boat.

 Worst --- Scott

After relaxing on the shores of Sandy Island, we’re headed back to the boat. I look down to see the dingy gas tank is on “E”. CRAP! Where are we going to get gas? We tried to get it in Marigott, St Martin, but since it was Ash Wednesday EVERY thing was closed. As we sail to Crocus Bay, Anguilla, Scott and Nina are looking refreshed and ready to scope out the best place for island fair. They head to shore dressed to the nines (well, for sailors), scope out the only restaurant on this side of the island which is BEAUTIFUL, but a little out of our price range. They ask the guys playing dominos “Excuse me sir, where can we get gas for our dingy!” From the boat it looks like the locals are having a good chuckle at our expense. A random stranger helps Scott pull the dingy further onto the beach, and then they walk towards a black car. I get a text from Nina…

• 
  
   Nina - “Had to hitch a ride. Lic #P7588 – Just in case you don’t hear back from us. The car is a black Honda Accord!”
• 
  
  Me - “HOLY SHIT! Are you guys okay with this… It’s not that important!”
• 
  
  Nina exclaims… “We’re in the car now – his name is Junior!”
• 
  
  Me - “Please Please Please be careful, We saw u drive up the hill!” I’m now freaking out (again).
• 
  
  A few minutes later, Nina - “We just got the gas!”
• 
  
  Me - “Awesome! Same guy bringing you back?”
• 
  
  Nina – “Yeah, we had to pay him $10. This island isn’t very island like”
• 
  
  Me – “I think I see you”
• 
  
  Nina – “You do, we’re safe!”

 Junior helps Scott yank the boat back into the ocean. Nina is holding the boat as Scott cranks on the starter rope thingy-ma-bobber. The water is at her knees;, it’s at her thighs;, yep her underwear is SOAKED… her skirt is around her neck. Finally, Scott gives up. ; Nina jumps in the dingy as Scott hands Nina a paddle. To have a picture of Nina’s face at this point would have been priceless. We watch helpless from the Oceanis 52.3 as they begin paddling back. Thankfully, the light goes on and we untie the kayak. Chris volunteers to save the day by kayaking to help them. With a little man power the boys got the engine started. Finally, the dingy fully loaded is back at the boat with everyone safe and sound. Well, until we heard Nina say, "When the motor didn't start, he almost drowned." Scott, we hope you and Nina are still a happy couple.

Best --- Chris

We’d like to make a special thanks to Chris for always having the oars, life jacket and light in the dingy as he shuttled the gang to and from the boat, beaches, and bars. It was a lovely calm Tuesday evening. We had just enjoyed a great meal on the streets of Grand Case, St Martin, watching locals and tourists shop and dance. The dingy ride back to the boat after a few Mojitos at The Blue Martini was beautiful. With the music of Mardi Gras festivities as background, we traveled over water like glass to return to Merci. Thank you, indeed!

Painful --- Jeannine

My brother and I always say that “blood on the boat is fast”. It seems every time we hurt ourselves on the boat, we seem to win a race. So, Jeannine, thank you for taking one for the team and leaving a little blood on the dingy in St Barts. We come cruising around some mega yachts to dock in St Barts. I’m lugging all our passports and the boat documents to go to customs. John hops up on the pier. He’s holding the painter (bowline), and as a true gentleman, hands Jeannine his right hand to help her off. There’s quite a climb to the top of the pier, the boat slips from the dock, and so does Jeannine. Hanging from one arm, soaked to the bone, Jeannine scraped her entire leg and the bottom of her foot. She gets dunked in the water. We finally tie up and get her on dry land just to find out that the Custom’s Officer is on a French version of a Siesta. She hobbles down to the Le Route de Buccaneer, asks for some alcohol for both her foot and her mouth. We clean her up and make our way back to customs. Jeannine, thanks for showing us that a little blood can’t stop ya.

Vote For Your Favorite!

(we actually have an award)

St Martin Teaser!

Many thanks to Justin for documenting our trip!
Check out this AWESOME video of our first couple days in Tropical Paradise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikd_lLnMSUg

Chapter 1 of the Dingy Diaries is coming soon.  It's under review.  Get ready to vote for your favorite dingy experience.

Greece - Sept

Hi everyone,
We're back from St Martin and it was a fabulous time.  In the near future I'll post a play by play of the trip.  Including Scott screaming "YOU DON'T OWN THE OCEAN!"  and nominations for the Dingy Trophy!

I know some of you might be getting this twice or even three times, but I wanted to get a firm head count on who's interested in Greece.

Please remember you'll have to leave the USA the Thursday before in order to get to the boats Saturday morning. I think we're going set sail from Paros and return to Athens (this isn't set yet but that's my hope). Some people are thinking of extending their trip an extra week but that's up to you.

Keep an eye out here for more updates... and I hope to see you in Greece!

The Island of Anguilla

If you had any doubt that Anguilla is absolutely beautiful, then you have to check out this website…. http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/

Oh My Gosh! I can’t believe I get to be there in 7 days. I’m super excited. Anguilla is full of culture, pristine beaches and great cuisine.

Where to start!
The island has been inhabited for over 4,000 years! Its first inhabitants were people from South America, and then the English came in 1650. The French occupied it for about year, but the English got the island back in the Treaty of Breda. Typical… the English love their treaties (that’s about all I remember them all from high school history).

Anguilla was originally named “Malliouhana,” meaning arrow-shaped sea serpent! Then the island was renamed Anguilla by the Europeans, for its long eel shape (Guess Anguilla was easier to say!). Malliouhana (Anguilla) is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The island is about 35 square miles, made up of coral and limestone. It is mostly rock with some scrub oak trees and salt ponds.

Cool Culture!
The Arawak people believe that there are two sacred caverns, from where all mankind originated (Big Springs at Island Harbor and The Fountain at Shoal Bay). The Fountain is the Eastern Caribbean’s most intact ceremonial site and features petrogylphs, offering bowls and a stalagmite carved in the likeness of Jocahu, their Supreme Deity.

BEACHES!
Holy Cow, there are a lot of beaches to choose from on Anguilla. I think we could spend two weeks here and never see all of them. The coolest thing for me is that the island has seven marine parks, including Dog Island and Prickly Pear Cays! The island is known for its drift, wreck and reef diving… not to mention the snorkeling next to its white sand beaches.

Well, I don’t want to spoil everything… I just know these pictures don’t do the island justice. Guess we’ll have to see it for ourselves on February 14th!

Bareboating the Greek Isles

If you’re like me, a day on the water beats any day on dry land. Therefore, it’s time to start planning an adventure to the Greek Islands.
The Destination
There are six different chains (clusters) that comprise the Greek Isles:

• the Argo-Saronic Islands in the Saronic gulf near Athens
• the Cyclades, a dense collection in the Aegean Sea
• the North Aegean Islands, off the west coast of Turkey
• the Dodecanese, a collection in the southeast between Crete and Turkey
• the Sporades, a small tight group off the coast of Euboea, and
• the Ionian Islands, located to the west of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea.

So Many Options
Each cluster of islands offers a wide variety of culture, natural beauty, history and intrigue. Some are more secluded (Sporades and Ionian), some are influenced by different cultures (Dodecanese, and North Aegean) but they all are worth visiting. Since we only have a week to explore, I’ve chosen the Cyclades Islands. There are over 200 islands located in the Cyclades chain. The major ones include Amorgós, Anáfē, Ándros, Antíparos, Dēlos, Eschátē, Íos, Kéa, Kímōlos, Kýthnos, Mēlos, Mýkonos, Náxos, Páros, Folégandros, Sérifos, Sífnos, Síkinos, Sýros, Tēnos, and Santoríni. Most of the smaller islands are uninhabited, but are just as beautiful.

Preliminary Vacation Plans

Itinerary:
I’ve done some initial research and the plans will be finalized upon my return from St Martin. My hope is to do a one way charter, so we can get the most out of our sailing experience. We’ll either start in Athens (sailing south in the Cyclades) or start in Paros (sailing north to Athens). Either way, we’ll hit six or seven islands, depending on the schedule and winds.

Expected Costs:
My initial cost estimates are extremely rough! The price includes a one way charter, $100/day in food, hotel stay (day before and after) and a flight. The price is subject to change, but I wanted you each to have an opportunity to plan. Just like the BVI and St Martin, my hope is to keep the price under my estimate.

Anticipated Dates:
I’m leaning towards starting the trip during the 1st week in September because of the Labor Day holiday. You’ll have to leave the States on Thursday (September 2nd) in order to make boat call on Saturday morning. We’ll sail for a week (Sept 4th – 11th) and then some of us are planning to tear up Europe the following week (September 11th – 19th). September 18th is the start of Oktoberfest in Munich; this might be a great place for a closing celebration (plus flights are cheaper to-from Germany right now).

Limited Participants:

I will only be planning this trip for four boats. Therefore, this trip has a maximum of 40 sailors. Reserve your spot ASAP by sending me your first payment.  The $1000 is not refundable. If something happens once you’ve committed, I will work with you to find a replacement and determine a plan, but we’d much rather have you on the trip.

Geeky Greek History

“In Greek mythology, the Anemoi (in Greek, Ἄνεμοι — "winds") were wind gods who were each ascribed a cardinal direction, from which their respective winds came, and were each associated with various seasons and weather conditions. They were sometimes represented as mere gusts of wind, at other times were personified as winged men, and at still other times were depicted as horses kept in the stables of the storm god Aeolus, who provided Odysseus with the Anemoi in the Odyssey. Astraeus, the astrological deity sometimes associated with Aeolus, and Eos, the goddess of the dawn, were the parents of the Anemoi, according to the Greek poet Hesiod.
Of the four chief Anemoi, Boreas was the north wind and bringer of cold winter air, Notus was the south wind and bringer of the storms of late summer and autumn, and Zephyrus was the west wind and bringer of light spring and early summer breezes; Eurus, the east wind, was not associated with any of the three Greek seasons, and is the only one of these four Anemoi not mentioned in Hesiod's Theogony or in the Orphic Hymns. Additionally, four lesser Anemoi were sometimes referenced, representing the northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest winds.” (Thank you, Wikipedia!)

Some of you know… I really really want a dog!! Maybe I’ll name him Zephyrus… the only problem is Zephyrus was kind of a player. Think that matters to the dog? Anyway…I’ll send more history on Greece as the planning gets underway. This is going to be a true adventure… Pack your bags and I’ll see you in the Med.