Crew: Ron & Debbie Lefton, Bob & Susie Kintner, Phil & Kathleen Joachim
September 2, Crew arrived on the Santorini ferry. After lunch in the seaside taverna we walked to the ancient Portara and swam. We discovered a lovely taverna on the beach with a full moon. After Sheila ordered all the tasty Greek specialties for a family-style meal, we had to taunt Phil into sharing his food.
September 3, 9:30am, we took the scenic bus trip to Apollonas where we visited the impressive unfinished 20-30’ stone carving of Apollo. We had lunch at a taverna on the beach with the most inviting blue/green water surrounding.
September 4, we took the "class picture" of the crew all wearing Yacht Migration hats and shirts that Bob so nicely organized for us. After some shopping and swimming the bon voyage lunch for Kathleen & Phil who ferry to Mykonos. Migration sailed to Paros. That evening we dined at Mike & Sheila’s favorite "Christo’s." After the banquet Christo treated us to a carafe of Suma. Just what we needed! The dinghy ride back to the boat was tippy and boisterous.
September 5, After a morning shop and a tour of the very old town church we sailed to Siros. We anchored in a beautiful cove surrounded by a white beach when a local fisherman motored by announcing a storm was coming. We took his advice and relocated to the less beautiful, but more protected southerly lee shore. Rarely does one see wind from the south. But he was right. We had some rock and roll in the middle of the night.
September 6, we had a long sail to Kea. We invited our English neighbors, Michael & Christine Ratcliffe, for cocktails and general yachtie bonding. We had a great dinner at the taverna adjacent to Migration. Topped off with a knight cap of Ouzo and Kitron.
September 7, Standing from the church and cemetery overlooking the harbor we waved goodbye to Bob & Susie, who were on their way to Athens on the Gootos Line ferry. At 4:00pm we took of to find the famous local stone-carved lion. We saw signs indicating it was in the Chora on top of the mountain. Debbie led the way uphill for 1 ˝ hours. We had to keep asking where the lion was, by imitating the sound of a lion’s roar. They would respond by pointing, and pointing and pointing. Finally we found it on the other side of town tucked away in the hillside. Picturesque climb, passing old men on donkeys and vistas of the other side of the island. The lion was carved about 600 BCE. On the way back we discovered a tiny place that served frozen steins of Amstel draught. It was very difficult to leave there. We spotted some perfect limes hanging off an easy to reach branch along our path. Finally we returned to Migration at 8:00pm. After showers and cocktails we had a wonderful roasted lamb with potatoes and red wine and then fell into bed.
September 8, After 8-10 ten miles the day before, we had a lazy day. We took the dinghy to a pristine secluded cove where we sunned, read and beach-combed.
September 9, Leftons departed leaving Mike & Sheila to chores.
September 10, more chores.