We were not planning on any family vacations this Summer. The hardship of the economic crisis, but mostly the lack of enthusiasm as a result, was to keep us in Athens. Not that I complain, since I do love Athens, in case you have not discovered that already. But, the proposition from a close cousin who charters and skippers his own sailing yacht and had just had a booking cancelled set us afire. We had an invitation to cruise along some of the most picturesque Cycladic islands for a short week.
We packed some stuff, that proved to be more than we were to need, and took the scheduled ship to the island of Paros, to meet our cousin and a couple of more friends we were to travel with. Sailing has always been a secret passion for me, and in my younger days I have enjoyed some memorable days aboard sailing boats. This time, however, sharing the experience with Sophia, the love of my life, and our two children, made the prospect even more exciting. The days went by faster than they should. We stayed overnight at Paros, swam at the cyan blue waters at Tigani, anchored at bay at Schinoussa, admired the rocky coastline and a dive at Koufonissi, spent a night at the marina and enjoyed a swim and a wonderful meal at a local restaurant at Ano Koufonissi, we sailed to the majestic -and my most favorite- island of Sifnos. Having spent a gorgeous half-day at Sifnos, we departed on route to Kythnos through Serifos.
The day was predictably windy, demonstrating all the typical characteristics of a local Northeastern wind called meltemi, and the sea was becoming increasingly rough. The boat was on motor, with the assistance of a half-mast sail that was mostly helping stability than adding speed to the 44-ft Bavaria boat, kept in tip-top condition. Every now and then, a wave would surprise us by spraying seawater on us, and sweeping the deck and everything on it. Our children, having just a mild previous experience in sailing, behaved in an exceptional way, not once uttering a word of complaint or fear. They kept looking at us, and checking our faces to see if we were worried. Then, they would take a nap, helping time go by. We, in turn, would engage our cousin, captain Andonis, to see traces of worry or concern. Seeing none, we were left with the concern for the children, not as much for their safety but mostly for their comfort.
The ordeal lasted for almost eleven hours, till we lowered our sails to enter the port of Kythnos, and calm waters. Not once during the trip was I really worried. We were sailing in a seaworthy, well-kept vessel, under an experienced and composed captain. As it happens in all aspects of life, it was a matter of trust.
We packed some stuff, that proved to be more than we were to need, and took the scheduled ship to the island of Paros, to meet our cousin and a couple of more friends we were to travel with. Sailing has always been a secret passion for me, and in my younger days I have enjoyed some memorable days aboard sailing boats. This time, however, sharing the experience with Sophia, the love of my life, and our two children, made the prospect even more exciting. The days went by faster than they should. We stayed overnight at Paros, swam at the cyan blue waters at Tigani, anchored at bay at Schinoussa, admired the rocky coastline and a dive at Koufonissi, spent a night at the marina and enjoyed a swim and a wonderful meal at a local restaurant at Ano Koufonissi, we sailed to the majestic -and my most favorite- island of Sifnos. Having spent a gorgeous half-day at Sifnos, we departed on route to Kythnos through Serifos.
The day was predictably windy, demonstrating all the typical characteristics of a local Northeastern wind called meltemi, and the sea was becoming increasingly rough. The boat was on motor, with the assistance of a half-mast sail that was mostly helping stability than adding speed to the 44-ft Bavaria boat, kept in tip-top condition. Every now and then, a wave would surprise us by spraying seawater on us, and sweeping the deck and everything on it. Our children, having just a mild previous experience in sailing, behaved in an exceptional way, not once uttering a word of complaint or fear. They kept looking at us, and checking our faces to see if we were worried. Then, they would take a nap, helping time go by. We, in turn, would engage our cousin, captain Andonis, to see traces of worry or concern. Seeing none, we were left with the concern for the children, not as much for their safety but mostly for their comfort.
The ordeal lasted for almost eleven hours, till we lowered our sails to enter the port of Kythnos, and calm waters. Not once during the trip was I really worried. We were sailing in a seaworthy, well-kept vessel, under an experienced and composed captain. As it happens in all aspects of life, it was a matter of trust.
Rough seas at the Cyclades.
