Oct.21st-23rd


10/21 We travelled to the island of Sifnos in the harbour of Vathi 60 miles
away with no wind going 6-7 knots with a favorable current. It was a
beautiful day for sailing, motoring, thru the Greek islands.  After we
anchored and had a swim, Laudance rafted up to us and we had drinks on their
boat.

10/22 Today we headed for Vlyshada, on the southern tip of Thira. The island
is shaped like a new moon encircling the rim of the crater now filled with
water.  Legend has it that this is Plato's Atlantis. It vanished as a result
of an earthquake and a huge volcanic eruption. The volcano is still active.
It has the largest caldera (Spanish for pot) in the world and we sailed thru
it.  The towns are all on the mountain sides and seem to be going up the
mountain like steps with the roof of one, the floor of the next. The shear
sides of the crater had so many different colors and formations that you
could hardly take your eyes away from the magnificant sites. The plug was a
huge heap of volcanic rock!!!  The winds came up as we were approaching the
marina which was a little tricky... thank goodness we have great charts!!
There were two other boats alongside the wall.. Magic Carpet and Ragtimer.
They were also going to Astypalaia the next day.

10/23 Today there is a caravan of four sailing vessels going to Skala,
Astypalaia. After helping Laudance with their lines, we left the quay.  We
caught up with everyone and past them when the winds picked up to about
20-25 knots.  Of course, this wasn't a race except to Rudy and of course we
came into the harbour first!!  There was a Greek sailboat just pulling in
ahead of us who gave us a hand with lines.  We all had drinks on Magic
Carpet who was anchored in the bay. Laudance gave us a ride in their dinghy
so we didn't have to put ours into the water...thank goodness.  It would
have been a pain to put ours in and then put it back on the davits.  While
we were on the quay a HUGE (4 foot) Pink Pelican with a neck like a swan
approached Rudy.  He was not frightened (the Pelican) and proceeded to
follow a group of people the 10 or so steps up to the restaurants, nipping a
gentlemen in the butt because he was too slow.  We were told that he is the
mascot of the village so I guess he is welcomed anywhere.

We were on the far end of the same quay that the Ferry comes in.  At about
11:00 pm I heard the Ferry.  It goes stern-in to the dock and puts his
engine into reverse.  It sounded very close, so I looked out and couldn't
believe my eyes.  It was the biggest Ferry I have ever seen.  It was bigger
than most Cruise Ships and it took up the whole mouth of the harbour.