During the last five cruising seasons, Berkeley East has spent a huge amount of time in Greece. We have visited some 60 islands; countless anchorages, towns and cities have been explored. Some were quintessential, others, not so much. But each one added to the fabulous experience that is Greece.
We have celebrated four birthdays, three anniversaries, and numerous holidays throughout the Greek islands. We have examined the history, embraced the culture, and endured the seemingly endless Meltimi winds. We do not have any idea how many Greek salads have been consumed, or the amount of Euros that have been spent, but while visiting, we tried our best to make a positive impact on the Greek economy.
Now, with thousands of photographs representing five years of memories, we say antio (goodbye) to this beautiful country.
We spent our last few weeks in Greece cruising, and droning, in the Ionians, the westernmost island chain. It was our fourth time through these islands, so we picked a few favorite spots to relax, meet up with friends, and snap just a few hundred more pictures before sailing BE back into the Adriatic Sea.
Vathi, Ithica - One of the most beautiful natural harbors in the Ionian islands.
Ormos Varko - Our first drone experience was last year on Varkos Beach, where friends from the Caribbean, Pete and Sari on Gatapardo, gave a demonstration and captured a wonderful drone shot of Berkeley East. By the time we got home, Larry's birthday present was on its way.
Lakka, Paxio - one of our favorites anchorages in the Ionians. With 75 boats squeezed in, it was far more crowded than we had ever seen, but one of the boats was our friends from Turkey, the Sea Changes
After flying the drone for a while, a neighboring boat launched the competition. Two drones in one small harbor was one drone too many.
Ormos Garitsas, Corfu - Always a beautiful spot anchored under the old fortress
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CLICK BELOW FOR A VIDEO OF BERKELEY EAST AT ANCHOR
https://youtu.be/NCE8yBrD8k0
Friends Pam and Steve on Eirene needed water, so we attached a hose to Berkeley East and transferred a few gallons in Corfu.
We quit our jobs in July of 2007 and began our adventure, sailing the US east coast in the summers and then spending our winters in the Caribbean.
In 2010 we sailed across the Atlantic and will be cruising the Med for the next few years.
Extra:
FAQ
Q: Did you go to UC Berkeley?
A: No. The name Berkeley East came from a ferry boat, "the Berkeley", that we met on over 30 years ago in San Diego. The East came as a result of seeing the boat being built in Taiwan. There was 30-foot Chinese symbol on the wall behind her during [...]
construction. Thinking it would mean something profound we agreed to incorporate it into the name before we new what it meant. It turned out to mean East - the East side of the boat yard. Thus Berkeley East. While the name has a number of other meanings this is the true origin off our boat's name.
Q: What type of boat is Berkeley East?
A: She is a Hylas 54 Raised Salon hull #46. We had her built at Queen Long Marine in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and commissioned in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is a high performance offshore sailing yacht capable of long range cruising in comfort. We have equipped her with the latest safety gear, electronics, automation and creature comforts, so she can be handled by the two of us.
Q: What are your sailing plans?
A: In the summer of 201 7we plan to sail from the east coast of Italy, down the Adriatic Sea, over to Sicily and Sardinia.
A: We are currently living aboard Berkeley East in the summer (in the Mediterranean) and living at our home in Charlotte, NC during the winter. ,
Q: Who else is going with you?
A: The boat is designed for the two of us to handle alone, but we welcome friends and colleagues to join us when ever they have time.
Q: How can I contact you?
A: The best way to reach us is through email at BerkeleyEast@gmail.com.
In early July 2006 we made a quick from Sydney, Australia to Kaohsiung, Taiwan to check on the construction of our Hylas 54. She was a little behind schedule, but the build quality was excellent.
After 28 days aboard Sigrun Bolten from Taiwan, Berkeley East arrived in Port Everglades Florida. Mary and I helped unload her and motored up the river to be hauled and rigged. We where joined by our friends and next door neighbors (from CA), who were in Florida cruising from California to the Caribbean.