Sailing Calista22 August 2022 – 24 August 2022
Chalki is a beautiful and colourful town west of Rhodes Island and is untouched by mass tourism. The island has been inhabited since the prehistoric times and got it’s name from the copper mines (Chalkos is Greek for copper) that were in use on the island in Antiquity.
We arrived into Chalki’s natural harbour mid afternoon and found a spot to drop the anchor just away from the small marina. Once we were safely anchored, we took the dingy into the marina and went ashore for a walk around.
We had a lovely anchorage just out from the houses in clear waters.
From the anchorage it was a short dingy ride into the small marina where we were able to leave the dingy while we explored on land.
On shore we wandered around the town and back streets.
The bouganvilleas are thriving in the sunny climate and are so pretty.
Around the town quay there were numerous small fishing boats of various styles.
We were amazed at the clarity of the water in the harbour.
Many of the houses were built along the water front.
The town square started to get busy once it got late and all the locals seem to come out to dine under the stars.
The following morning while the conditions were ideal, Paul got the drone out and flew over the anchorage.
At the end of town we came across a disabandoned gun shelter used during the World World II in a prime position overlooking the entrance of the harbour.
The gun had many moving parts which was still in good working order.
From the edge of town we hiked up to the three windmills, scrambling over rocks and boulders as there was no actual path. The windmills are no longer in working order.
Paul came across a lonely old chair in the middle of a field.
From the windmills we decended down into Ftenagia Beach.
We found a table situated under the shade of some trees where we enjoyed some lunch and a glass of white wine.
The beaches on Chalki are known for it’s crystal clear waters.
The Port Police had a photographer taking shots of their small one door car. There are very few vehicles on the island and the small car is ideal for driving the short distance down to the Port when the ferries are in port.
What a dream location for the locals overlooking the bay, and being able to swim directly from their patio.
The water temperature at 27.4 degrees was pleasant for swimming off the back of Calista in the aqua blue, clear waters.
There was some rain and lightning activity overnight and with more rain forecast, we decided to leave the anchorage and head to Tilos Island.
