A Monastery built on the cliffs of Mt Athos

Finally the winds are in our favour and we depart Limnos at 6am. We enjoy another brisk sail in a NW direction towards Halkidiki, an area made up of the three peninsulas which jut out into the NW Aegean from the mainland of northern Greece. They are, from west to east, Kassandra, Sinthonia and Akti. Mt Athos (2,033 m) towers majestically at the tip of the Akti Peninsula and can be seen from at least 40nm away. What is particularly amazing about this mountain is the number of monasteries which date back to the 9th century built up on the cliffs. Many look as though they could only be accessed by donkey, as the terrain is so steep. Only men are permitted to visit the monasteries and then only with an official permit. We are able to sail reasonably close even though you are not supposed to get within 500 metres of the coastline. With binoculars we are able to get good views and are surprised at how palatial and extensive some of the monasteries appear. We wonder who funds the upkeep of such substantial dwellings. Many of the buildings are having work done on them with some walls totally covered with scaffolding. There are greenhouses and solar panels being used so the monks are keeping up with modern practices. The whole peninsula is an exceptionally beautiful place, mountainous and wooded.

We sail west 10nm across to the Sinthonia peninsula and unlike its neighbour, females are allowed here. The coast on this peninsula is dotted with scenic beaches and camping grounds popular with campers in tents and small caravans as well as many guest hotels. Apparently many of the holidaymakers to this part of Greece are from the Balkans-Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. They are obviously enjoying affluence and freedom more so, these days.

We enjoy a few quiet nights in this peninsula anchored in clear water and surrounded by sandy beaches and forests. The only downside are the mozzies at dusk!