Greek Sailing - last day

The early morning sun painted the sky red through the arc next to us.

Early morning view

By 10am tourist boats started to appear, and we decided it is time to leave. We sailed across a large bay. This bay is known for several tourist towns (with lots of partying) but also as the main nesting grounds of the loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean. In the recent years the Greek authorities are trying to find a way to protect the turtles without hurting the tourist industry. These include bans on fast moving boats in the bay. Since the day was short we decided to circumvent around the bay to the south tip of the island and then head north toward Zakintosh town, the main town of the island. 

Interesting rock structures at the tip of the island

After passing the southernmost tip of the island we went by a series of beaches that were clearly resorts and tourist attractions.

As usual in Greece, there was a white church at the main points of attractions, even if these are in the middle of beach resorts.

Approaching the main town we could sit spread below two hills. The town is built around a large bay, and much of this bay is the port.

The port serves multiple fairies that connect it to other islands and the main land.

We moored across from the fairies in a nice area for yachts. We didn't finish tying the lines, and we were approached by a port agent on an old motorcycle. There was some discussion whether we need his services or have to go to the port authorities. His poor English combined with a rather mysteriously worded signs ("you may not need to use agent...") increased the confusion. In the end, Udi managed to sort the payment for port fees, water, and electricity, and dealt with the paper works.

port agent + motorbike

Walking along the piers we encountered one the weirdest boats any of us ever saw. It looked like a spaceship. Inside was a large circular sofa around which passengers can sit and look down through a big circular window in the floor (you can see the outline of the rail around that window in the black front window in the image).

Admiring "space"-ship

Ayelet wanted to fill one of the big missing pieces in my Greek experience. I haven't had Gyros, the local casual food to go. She got from the port agent instructions where to find the best Gyros in town, and we all headed there to eat (we were starving).

This is the time to mention that everywhere we ate, the table had paper covers with a map of the local island. I was told that this is same throughout the greek islands. I found this interesting and a bit quaint. 

Udi, and a typical table cover with a map of the island

Gyros!

Udi demonstrating the proper way to each them

After the first Gyros, we had a second, and by then I was full. I found them very nice.

We had time for a short stroll in the town. Nothing much to report about.

We stopped for coffee, but then realized that I am late. I rushed ahead back to the boat to finish packing. We then said our goodbyes and I went on a cab to the airport.

  

parting view of Zakintosh

To conclude, it was a great week. It is definitely an experience I would be happy to repeat (hint!).

Finally, here is a map, that maybe should have been in the first post, showing the location in the bigger context.