In Cruising mode
We sailed the Ionian Islands in 2019 and are now cruising the Cyclades
There are around 220 islands in the Cyclades in an are of around 2572km or 750nm. Thats a lot of islands in a relatively small area so cruising between them was certainly not going to involve overnight passages or long days at the helm. We were definitely entering the cruising mode.
Friday 26th August - Kalona Bay Kythnos to Vathy on Sifnos
Next island stop in August was Sifnos after sailing past Serifos. At times we have to truly double check where we are!
Sifnos anchorage was in the beautiful bay of Vathy where the restaurants literally lined the foreshore water lapping at the tables. And a Greek Orthodox Church took pride of place at the end of the pier.
We visited Kepamika pottery house in the corner of the bay where the family have been making pottery for four generations. Of course a selection was soon stowed in our dinghy’s and headed back to Savvy and Katherine.
The highlight of our stay on Serifos was definitely taking a taxi to the other side of the island to visit Kastro a small village perched on the hillside where roman marble Sarcophagi were just laying in the narrow streets, tulle hung from gates in preparation for a wedding and and the white stone streets just said we are definitely in the Cyclades.
Sunday 28th August The island of Sifnos to Syros
So the Islands to date visited included Kea, Kythnos, Sifnos and on Sunday the 28th we added Syros to the list. On Syros we anchored in the southern bay of Foinikas, one for the safe anchorage and two for the well recommended cafe Baobab.
Ermoupoli the capital of the Cyclades
The following afternoon once the heat of the day had partly subsided we took a taxi across the island to Ermoupouli a commercial hub and the largest city in the Cyclades.
Ano Syros - The Old Town
We had the taxi drop us off at the highest point of the Upper town Ano Syros so that we could walk down through the old town to the port.
In the harbour we witnessed the renown surge that the boats tied stern to experienced from the large ferries. Some sailors literally were walking planks that threatened to either slip into the water or launch then harbour side with the swell. We certainly ran short of time to explore and again would put this as a place to return.
30th August – Syros to Tinos after a false start.
Fixing boats in exotic locations is Andrew’s mantra and he got to add another job to his list when our furler motor failed as we were leaving Syros. We had to return to the harbour and drop the mainsail on the deck. Times like these you are thankful for sailing in company and having a willing set of third hands.
Tinos - Meeting Maria and Giorgos from Mykonos
Finally in Tinos after a good sail with just our jib we anchored stern to on the town pier.
One advantage of going into a harbour is often the people you meet. On Tinos we met Maria and her husband Giorgos who were full of local knowledge for the islands of the Cyclades and the foods!
Another drive day was organised with Paul and Nicole and Tinos surprised us with its diversity in landscapes, the sheer amount of terracing across every hill and the intricate dovecotes that were all over the island.
We found a beautiful harbour for lunch, learnt a little about the marble history that was so important for Tinos and finally stumbled across a quaint village of Volakas where poetry was written across doors.
Really enjoyed our time in Tinos.
1st September Tinos to Sounion Bay
On the 1st of September we headed back to Sounion Bay impressed that in the right conditions Katherine can manage a comfortable 8 knots of boat speed just with the jib. A few days on anchor saw the main restored. Here we farewelled Paul and Nicole as they headed back to England.
A nice loop of islands covered – and just for our recall they included Kea, Kythnos, Sifnos, Syros and Tinos. Time to discover a few more.