Sailing Calista20 June 2023 – 30 June 2023
Paul dinghied our friend’s Malcolm and Trish to shore at Ormos Pigadi where they met up with their taxi driver at the allocated time, we then left the anchorage shortly afterwards to head back to Skiathos Island.
The sea was flat and we sat up on the forward deck on our sun loungers while keeping an eye out for any other boats.
We dropped anchor in the anchorage on the west side of Skiathos town and later that evening we went by dingy around into the fishing and tour boat port.
Around the edge of the concrete pontoons we noticed hundereds of sea urchins. We really had no choice but tie up the dingy and hope for the best that the tour boats didn’t create too much of a swell and the dingy would sit without scraping against the sharp sea urchins lurking beneath the surface.
We had dinner at the local Grill House overlooking the small Port. Afterwards we wandered further up the hill through the narrow alley ways, then back down into town. I bought a new pair of trendy jandels (Crocks) for use on the boat and in the dingy.
The following afternoon we motored over to Loutraki Harbour on Skopelos Island for the evening with the intention of leaving for Thessaloniki early the next morning.
In the anchorage we managed to tuck ourselves into the corner to allow for the large ferries to enter and manoeuvre.
Loutraki was a very pretty harbour. On the sea wall there were half a dozen charter yachts tied up on the pontoon.
We wandered around the waterfront and came across a lovely taverna overlooking the water. We met a lovely English couple who were there and they highly recommended the taverna.
We sat and had a glass of wine and were contemplating ordering a meal, it was still relatively early in the evening and the owners were busy organising a birthday party for one of their boys, so we ended up leaving and found another taverna in the town.
The anchorage in the evening was calm and luckily there were no more ferries.
We got up early the next morning, leaving Loutraki Harbour shortly after 6.00am as we had a long day ahead. As we cleared the island the sun was just rising.
With very little wind we were motoring and making water while underway. Paul got the hose out and gave the boat abit of a wash as we were going along.
We ended up motoring the entire way as there was not enough wind for sailing and we wanted to get to our destination in daylight.
Just as the sun was starting to go down, we arrived in the anchorage where our friends on Tipheret were sitting at anchor. It had been a really long day, covering around 95 nautical miles.
The next day the weather was forecast to change in the afternoon and the anchorage was going to be quite exposed. We lifted anchor and motored over towards Aretsou Marina and radioed to see if they had any spots available. We were advised to wait out in the anchorage until they could confirm with the “Sailor” if there was a berth. We dropped anchor and waited …
After an hour and a half we got the call to enter the marina. The young marinero wasn’t alot of help with communicating while we were berthing and we had a few issues picking up the slime lines he was trying to attach to the bow. We had to adjust the stern lines and move Calista over so we weren’t too close to the launch next door and to clear a lamp post directly behind us. We were in quite an exposed berth.
Once we were all settled in the allocated berth, we had intended to walk up the hill to where the restaurants were but had second thoughts when we noticed a squall approaching. We went back to Calista just as all hell broke lose with strong winds. The slime line wasn’t really holding us in place and the guy from the launch next door threw a line over which we attached to the windlass to hold us in position. Half an hour later the squall had passed over and everything settled down again.
Most mornings the local rowing club was practising on the fairway within the marina. With at least a dozen canoes or various rower/combinations, it was a wonderful sight to see and they made it look ever so easy with their powerful strokes.
The following evening we walked up to where all the restaurants were. Paul and Uli spotted a restaurant speciallising in aged meat and they decided, that they both wanted a nice big juicy steak for a change.
The Chef personally brought out the steak and sliced it at the table. Bon Appetite.
We caught a local bus into Thessaloniki, which is Greece’s second largest city. The closer towards Thessaloniki , the more people that piled onto the bus and we were all crammed in like sardines in a tin. It was a relief to get out at the end of the journey.
We walked along the foreshore and spotted several boats offering a free cruise around the bay if you bought a drink on board which sounded tempting. We jumped on the next departing boat and took an hour long harbour cruise and enjoyed a pineapple and passionfuit non alcoholic margarita while taking in the views of the city as we cruised past.
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city.
After the Ottoman Empire invaded and seized control of the city in 1430, the existing tower was built on top of the old Byzantine fortication. It was connected to the city’s defensive walls, most of which were destroyed in 1866.
Currently the White Tower is home to a museum. The entry fee was 6.00 euro each to climb up the Tower’s winding stairs to the balcony, viewing the exhibitions on each of the levels along the way.
The city has alot of green spaces throughout.
There didn’t seem to be much traffic conjestion around the city, as the traffic flows along on the one way streets.
The wide boardwalk stretches for miles around the waterfront.
“The Umbrellas” sculpture by George Zogolopoulos constructed in 1997 is amazing, The stainless steel umbrellas consist of 40 umbrellas than span over 13 meters high, secured on lengthly steel poles.
Paul is seen to be having a rest in the shade while waiting for me to photograph the umbrellas nearby. What a tough life …
Alexander the 3rd Momument (known as Alexnder the Great) is an impressive statue created by the artist Evaggelos Moustakas. It’s height is more than 6 meters.
Love locks/love padlocks hanging on the railings. It seems that couples lock these to a fence, gate, monument bridge or public fixture to symbolize their love.
We ventured into the old Port district of Ladadika which is now a vibrant entertainment hub consisting of tavernas and bistros which are now housed in the former olive oil shops.
We enjoyed a lovely fish meal and a glass of rose wine
As usual we arrive earlier than the locals and had the pick of a table, by 8.30 onwards the tavernas get very busy and tables are a premium.
At 9.00pm the evening is much cooler and families and children come out to enjoy themselves.
Everything changes dramatically as the evening lights start to come on.
We wandered back to the umbrella sculpture for a few more photos once the sculpture was illuminated.
The following afternoon we walked 20 minutes to the opposite end of the bay from the marina to Gialos, a fish restaurant with good reviews and white tablecloth service.
We enjoyed sea bass cervice and lobster. Both very delicious.
While we were in the marina we got the engine serviced as we had done around 200 hours since the engine was last serviced last season.
We also topped up the tanks with diesel – 322 litres. The price of 1.51 euros per litre is much cheaper than we paid last year.
Before departing from the marina, Paul checked the port hole in the aft cabin under the bed and noticed a thin rope wrapped around the prop. The diver unit was working in the next fairway installing new slime lines and Paul managed to get the diver and boat to come around and take a look. The diver cut the rope away and we were good to go. 20.00 euro cash for 15 minutes work.
