September vibes @ Aegean Cargo Sailing
September 28, 2021
Welcoming autumn at the Eastern Aegean -part 2
October 12, 2021
Tuesday, September 28, Ikaria
In the morning we loaded the sailing boat with local herbs, honey, wine and olive oil. The trip started dynamically from the marina of Agios Kirikos, with 5-6 bft northern wind and big waves, which I needed some time to get used to. The calmness of the captains soothed me. We left behind Fournoi, Patmos, Arkioi, Leipsoi, Leros, and at night we were outside the port of Kalymnos, with a lot of wind and stress because it was the first time I approached a port at night. Wednesday was a day of boat repairs in the hospitable port of Kalymnos. Mr. Elias will offer you solutions no matter what happened! We received goods and new product samples, and on Thursday afternoon we set off for Palionisos, a beautiful cove in the north of Kalymnos. We would sail upwind on the way back and we needed more rest.
Friday, October 1
Early in the morning we continued the journey, this time towards Leipsoi. We sailed vigorously upwind and in the afternoon we reached the beautiful port of Leipsoi, a small jewel of the Eastern Aegean. It is the cleanest Aegean island with very good waste- and recycling management, as well as amazing fish appetizers (“psaromezedes”) served at the taverns we came across at the port.
Saturday, October 2
We picked up local cheeses and continued the course of the trip with some small changes, as the Ikarian Sea often gets a little rough further on. Now we are heading northeast towards the port of Pythagorion. After passing the northern end of Arkioi, we entered the Ikaria-Samos channel with 5 bft wind and 3-4 m high waves. We left the steering wheel to captain Nikolas to get us over the hump, and we gawped at sailboat Lafri riding gracefully the ferocious waves. By the afternoon we were already moored at the port of Pythagorion. We did a few preparations on board, and then we went out to try the delicious food and the good wine of Samos. I look forward to the next seas!
From volunteer sailor Andreas Kontos notes, Ikaria-Kalymnos-Leipsoi-Samos, September/October 2021
