Wind direction and ferry schedules dictated a run to Syros today from Serifos. We woke up to glorious weather – in stark contrast to Wednesday’s sail.
I spent an hour in the morning at a bakery working on emails for the vacation rental business and getting frustrated trying to book reasonably priced tickets to California in July. I was not very successful when the guys were texting that departure was imminent.
We had a lovely sail to Syros with perfect wind for sailing. It was so smooth that I was able to prepare a real meal for dinner – yemistes, stuffed peppers, tomatoes and eggplant. Check out this view from the galley.
Right around lunch time Patrik caught a 3 kilo tuna! Within 30 minutes we were eating sashimi and seared tuna steak. What a treat. I didn’t like the raw tuna, but the seared pieces were tasty.
We arrived in the port of Syros about 3pm. Our crew did a very smooth docking in a crowded harbor. They let anchor down about 250 meters out and then back into our slip. Patrik’s mother, Betty, was waiting for us. She did the booking with me and Syros is the home port for our yacht.
We took a taxi to a nearby beach, Azolimnos, to swim and enjoy warmth of the day. It was a sandy beach which is unusual here. Water was a little cool, yes refreshing is the word. The nearby taverna offers umbrellas and lounge chairs for the price of a drink. Well worth it!
I am very surprised and impressed how nice this island’s port is. Ermoupolis is the capital of Syros and the administrative and commercial hub of the Cyclades islands. It had a strong industrial economy in 19th and 20th centuries but no longer. From the ferry the other day it seemed like a crowded cement covered city. But tonight it is a vibrant place. The buildings reflect the islands Italian heritage with much neoclassical architecture that has been well maintained. There are many pedestrian only streets for shopping, restaurant seating and a market. These sreets are paved with marble blocks.
Tonight is Thursday and it’s the beginning of the season and a holiday weekend (Pentecost). Place is filled with mostly Greeks and the yachters.
Ann and I did some quick shopping before having dinner on the boat. Everyone on the boat called it an early night by 11pm. I found a little taverna with a group of local musicians playing Greek folk music. This is very hit or miss in Greece so I went back out to have some wine and listen.
Click on the youtube link to hear a short soundbite. They aren’t the most talented but they sure are having fun.
