Nisos Meganisi
22 May 2014 | Ormos Abelike, Nisos Meganisi, Ionian Islands, Greece
Marta Portoles
I often get asked if I would live in any of the places that we had visited/sailed. The reality is that every place is a compromise, so some days I think I could live anywhere (other days, I do not feel so magnanimous). That said, there has been no place where I had said, "yes, I could live here in a heart beat". That is until now. I love this place. It is simply beautiful and quiet. It is very green compared with the Aegean Greece or Spain; not the Boston green but more of the dark greens of dryer climates. It is barely populated (a total plus in my view) but it has most of the comforts that I require near by (mainly good supermarkets and OK chandleries to keep Mark happy). That said I will find the lack of cinema, theaters and book shops hard to live without long term, but I could happily stay here for months.
There were four boats on this little bay when we entered. This time it took only two times to set the anchor and have Alec and Roan tie Por Dos to the shore. We, with two teenager boys and a Spanish mum, were by far the noisiest but not the least clothed boat in the anchorage. After school we promptly put all our toys out: paddle boards, kayaks, sailing dinghy and snorkeling gear. The water is still a bit cold but not a problem for 13 year olds. Mark and I, on the other hand, were in and out in seconds. I took the kayak to visit some of the other natural bays and indents in the North of Meganisi. They are all similarly beautiful, few boats anchored in each one. The major port and town in this island is Porth Vathi. It is a short 15 to 20 min walk over the hill from our bay or a couple of miles by boat. Cruising and local boats line the small port, the tavernas, restaurants and cafes also going around the port - very quaint. I found three small supermarkets with fresh fruit and veggies.
On our third day here, a boat with kids on board came in. I can tell it is going to be hard to move away from this bay.
Marta