Chios, Greece

15 - 18 August

We basically motor sailed from Port Alacati to the Port of Chios on the island of Chios. It took around three hours and tied up in the main Port. We were met by the harbour master, Stelios and an Agent Ilkim. Checking into Greece is a lot simpler than in Turkey because all the Authorities are in the one place, but we got the agent to do it for us.

He later returned with our transit log and crew list, all completed with no hassle. When we have done it ourselves it has taken a couple of hours at least, not to mention dealing with different interpretations of the the transit log systems....

It was great to be back in Greece. Chios, 29 km (18 mi) at its widest, covering an area of 842 km2. It lies between Lesbos to the north and Samos to the south. These islands are part of the Eastern Sporades group of the Aegean Sea. The terrain is mountainous and arid, with a ridge of mountains running the length of the island. The two largest of these mountains, Pelineon, 1,297 m and Epos 1,188 m are situated in the north of the island. The center of the island is divided between east and west by a range of smaller peaks, known as Provatas.

The mastic trees are the trademark of Chios and a main source of income for many residents of the island. Its cultivation started in the ancient times and they produce a rare resin that is largely exported. The mastic trees of Chios provide a resin that comes out from their bark in the shape of teardrops. This resin is used for the elaboration of different products, especially a very unique chewing gum, as well as quality spices, alcoholic beverages and sweets. An interesting detail about the mastic trees is that they grow in many parts of the world but the only place where they elaborate its resin is in Chios. It is not very clear when the cultivation of these trees on the island started, but it is known that Herodotus was the first to notice their resin, around the 5th century BC. More about this later....

We were to pick up our next group of friends, Davide, Grant and Jenny. The plan was to explore Chios and with any luck truck up to Lesvos, the latter being unlikely given the northerly meltimi wind, but you never know.

Any way, the guys finally arrived and settled in. And we left the port on the 18th of August bound for a small island of Oinoussa to at the north end of Chios.

Oh, we forgot to tell that the night before Davide arrived the four of us went out to tea at this amazing waterside restaurant. Grant and Jenny saw it on the previous night as they came in on the ferry. A great meal was had. On the way out there was this bored looking DJ. He put on a salsa track, and since we all dance a bit we took to the pavement and went for it. The whole restaurant just stared, but we kept going until the track finished, then we left...