Journey Aboard Interlude

14 May 2014
02 May 2014
20 April 2014
09 June 2013 | Kekova Roads
25 May 2013 | Ece Saray Marina, Fethiye
18 May 2013 | Kas
17 May 2013 | Kalkan Harbor
13 May 2013 | Tomb Bay, Skopea Limani
05 May 2013 | Ekincik Koyu
29 April 2013 | Marti Marina, Gulf of Hisaronu
25 April 2013 | Kuraca Bucu
23 April 2013
19 April 2013 | Bodrum, Turkey
08 November 2012 | Paris, France
27 October 2012 | Turgutreis Marina
24 October 2012 | Gumusluk
13 October 2012
11 October 2012
10 October 2012 | Amazon Creek (Kuçuk Gunluk Koyu)

Dream vs. Reality

07 September 2012 | Mykonos
Dan 29 degrees C, 1011 mb, 25-30 kt winds
We're now on the island of Mykonos, one of the best known and most popular of all the Greek Isles. This is the kind of place most sailors dream of coming to. The turquoise waters, sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife attract jet setters, movie stars and regular joe's from around the world. But there's one small detail that they neglect to mention to prospective visitors: it can be VERY windy here!

Truth be told, it's windy everywhere in the Cyclades today and it looks like that'll be the case for the next several days. We anticipated that and found a perfect spot on the island of Kythnos last evening. We stayed in the town of Loutra, tied to the inside of the seawall with absolutely calm water despite the wind blowing overhead. Loutra has a natural hot spring which flows into the ocean by the beach, creating a hot tub which mixes 52 degree Celsius (125 fahrenheit) water with seawater. The water is reputed to have therapeutic qualities so we spent a lazy hour healing our bodies before a sunset walk through town followed by a wonderful seafood dinner at a beachside taverna. It was a perfect, memorable day and Loutra easily made our list of favorite places.

After checking the weather forecast, we decided to leave Loutra for Mykonos, thinking that there would be more to do there if we ended up stranded for a few days due to weather. So we departed at 0700 this morning to cover the 42 nautical miles and arrive early enough to find a good spot at the new marina. We motored the first few hours rather than sail close hauled, then unfurled the jib and partially reefed main after passing the north end of Sifnos. We fell off and enjoyed a brisk beam reach in Force 6 conditions (25-31mph) down to Mykonos. This was definitely the most lively wind and sea state we've been in this season, but Interlude handled it comfortably and everyone enjoyed the exhilarating two hour ride.

Our arrival and time so far at Mykonos has been a big downer. The prevailing N winds howl through the New Port which is an ugly, partially developed and, it seems, partially abandoned facility located 2km north of Mykonos Town. After spending an hour getting Interlude properly secured, we were told that we would have to move. I'm still not sure why because the guy spoke only limited English. Unfortunately, there were no other suitable spots inside the marina so we ended up tying stern-to just outside the marina with considerably less protection from the rolling seas. Since it was too rough for us to lower the dingy from the davits, we had no way of deploying the passarelle from the stern which basically left us stranded with no way to get off the boat. So we ended up spending the afternoon and evening rolling to and fro with 30 knots of wind blowing from astern. We've had ferry boat wakes to contend and we've had to fend off as other boats came in alongside us. Quite a contrast from the idyllic setting we had left back on Kythnos. A bit depressing, really. But that's the reality of the cruising lifestyle sometimes. We can't control all the variables and frequently have no choice but to react to whatever the situation or environment dictates. It's not always like the stories told in cruising magazines or the photos shown in tourist brochures. Sometimes it's just unpleasant, requiring patience or perseverance. A bit like life in general perhaps. Thankfully, Christine and Tyler are able to roll with it all pretty well. At dinner last night on Kythnos I pointed out that we had had two "up" days in a row. Superstitious Tyler warned me not to jinx us and perhaps I should have listened to him. The score is now 2-up, 1-down. We'll see what tomorrow has in store ...

Comments
Vessel Name: Interlude
Vessel Make/Model: Discovery 55
Hailing Port: Annapolis, MD
Crew: Dan, Christine & Tyler Rice
About:
After 11 years of sailing primarily in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, our family is about to begin a much anticipated sailing adventure in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond! Dan has been preparing for and dreaming of this voyage for years; Tyler has deferred his admission to St. [...]
Extra:
Hope the way is long. May there be many summer mornings when, with what pleasure, with what joy, you shall enter first-seen harbors... Keep Ithaca always in your mind. Arriving there is what has been ordained for you. But do not hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts many [...]
Interlude's Photos - Main
This album contains selected best pics from our time in Greece this year.
38 Photos
Created 13 August 2012
19 Photos
Created 16 June 2012
10 Photos
Created 7 April 2012