We have a three hour cruise from Paxi to Ithica. This Island is renowned as being the home of Ulysses from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. we look at a couple of anchorages and decided on a great Harbour at Vathy (meaning deep).
Most of the Island's towns were destroyed by the earthquake in 1953, and rebuilt in the Venetian style. The towns are colorful but not a lot of atmosphere. However, there are plenty of bars and restaurants lining the shore.
The Island is very mountainous with attractive landscape including pencil pines and colorful Oleander. We find a taxi to take us on a tour and have lunch in the small fishing village of 'Frikes' a well recommended restaurant on the waterfront called 'Penelope'. It is a very delicious family Greek cuisine, with local white wine. Alex the waiter is from Port Melbourne. After lunch we have a swim in crystal clear blue water, then we drive high into the mountains to a very old monastery. There are great views of the Harbour and BP at Varthy.
Monday. We take off early for Cephalonia. Warick Leeming sailed there some years ago and suggested an anchorage at the southern part of the Island. The sea is mirror calm again. MB and Marcus take the tender for a fishing/ sightseeing adventure. The trip in BP is 3 hours. Marcus and MB visit Sami to see Marcus's old friend the hotel keeper Markis. There is not much to see here so they take off down the coast, the wind has come up so we need to find another anchorage. BP anchors in a small wilderness cove, near the town of 'Poros'.
MB and Paul do their first Med. scuba dive. They were disappointed as not much to see, very few fish, but fun. Everyone else has a beautiful swim off both the beach and back of the boat.
We eat ashore that night at Poros. We eat at a family run restaurant 'Pantiles' on the waterfront. We have an excellent Greek meal with the usual favorites Moussaka, Souvlaki, dips, Greek salad etc. We had very good local wine 'Ribola'.
Tomorrow we head to Delphi then on to Athens.
JB and Mick