It was nice in Palairos. Well looked after by harbour master Christos, bathing beach right next to the harbour, yacht club with bar and view of the sunset behind the island of Levkas and the high mountains directly above the village with alpenglow every evening. One day we walked up there a bit and could see the whole scenery from above. However, it was difficult to make progress on the unmarked paths and goat tracks. A few times we got stuck in the "wilderness".
We also had a look at the port of Vounaki, one nautical mile away. It has a completely different flair than the town harbour of Palairos: an all-inclusive holiday resort with all the trimmings, from bicycle rental to sailing dinghies, swimming pools and charter boats from the Neilson agency. Nothing for us.
Pictures of Palairos
It was a „car jump“ to our next destination a little to the south, Mitiká (also on the mainland). But for this „cat jump“ we were on the move for several hours, once again beautiful light wind sailing. For anchoring, we did not choose the bay where the sunken city of Alyzia is located. We dropped our anchor in the bay right next to the harbour of the small fishing village. "A dirty, smelly fishing harbour you shouldn't go to," someone wrote on Navily. We are interested in the normal Greek ports without charter piers and flotilla visitors. So the next day we went to the harbour and watched the hustle and bustle: Small ferry boats sail to the neighbouring islands. The fishermen go out at dawn, live fish are delivered from the fish farms in large plastic containers and loaded onto trucks. And the place, which is built almost to the water's edge, also has beautiful corners.
Pictures from Mitiká
One more night at anchor outside the harbour for stargazing under the new moon, then the next day we're off to the nearby island of Kalamos. On the way north, we already spent a night here in the anchorage Port Leone. This time we moor in Port Kalamos. We have previously registered with the unofficial harbour master George. George, a soul of a man, one of the friendliest and fittest harbour masters we have met so far. Anyone who wants to observe how positive reinforcement works should pay him a visit ("Drop your anchor here, two metres more chain, please. Excellent 👍. I'm George. Welcome!). Even in heavy rain he goes out and helps people moor. We were exceptionally allowed to moor alongside and were thus able to bring a new 11 kg gas bottle on board without dislocating our backs. George knows our boat and the previous owners Peter and Trix. He likes the boat and the harbour cats obviously like it too. They like to sleep on or under our dinghy. George's taverna serves super tasty food. Of course we go there for dinner, especially since lying in the harbour doesn't cost anything. And we stay here for a few days, hike around the island and are now weathering a thunderstorm.
Pictures from Kalamos Island
More pictures of Kalamos
