Hydra (Saronic Gulf) to Poros (Saronic Gulf) - Saronida, Greece
Saronida, Greece
This morning, we left Hydra around 9:00a.m.. In fact all the boats that were crowding us out of our once roomy spot -- were also leaving..... Entering the Saronic Gulf, it was very windy, but the wave action did not reflect the force of the wind, which is a good thing. Once just outside of Poros, the water calmed, and we slowly made our way into the very green, harbor area of the island of Poros. This terrane reminds me very much of the water, and greenness of Washington State. (Note: The island we are at now is: Poros. The island we were at a couple of days ago, where Rick and I were trapped on a broken Milena, is Paros. What a difference a letter makes....). Jacques asked if I would mind if his grandson came on board Milena tomorrow for our trip through the Corinth Canal. But, of course, I did not mind. The last time I saw Louis, he was one year old, and living in Paros, when Rick and I were marooned for 5 days. It will be good to see Louis again -- he is now 11 years -- the age of Ty. We dropped anchor in a lovely bay the other side of the main harbor. The water was a beautiful turquoise, dotted with jet skis and water skis. How wonderful, and so much like home. Jacques left the boat to go into town for supplies. The moment he left the boat, the harbor patrol came calling to the side of Milena. It seems we are in the "ferry lane", and we must move. We told the harbor master we would be more than happy to do so, once our captain returned. Before Jacques returned to Millie, the noon-time ferry was arriving B L A R R I N G its horn a half a dozen times. Marina, Frederick and I just watched, helpless until Jacques returned, as the ferry got closer and closer. "OMG.. what do we do?.....? I asked Marina "Well, there is nothing we can do until Jacques returns..." Marina answered, rather frustrated and nervous at the same time. We could have called him, but he left both of his phones on the boat..... H O N K ---- H O N K ---- H O N K ----- H O N K, The ferry was shouting angrily at us. He passed too close to our stern, and began a turn-around maneuver, and ultimately heading toward a small catamaran, and us simultaneously. The cat was furiously trying to pull up her anchor, as the ferry was fast approaching....... H O N K H O N K H O N K..... A horrid sound to hear, as he was gaining on the small cat....... H O N K H O N K H O N K..... Finally the cat got her anchor up, and rapidly sped out of the way, of the HUGE ferry. The ferry was now in reverse, heading for the shore line. Marina, Frederick and I were all hoping that Jacques would appear, and help save our bottoms....... YES... There is Jacques..... our savior.... Almost before he got on board, Marina and Frederick were preparing to move Milena. Having been quickly briefed, he sped forward to the anchor chain, and began raising the anchor. Within minutes, we had moved another 200+ feet closer to shore. Thank goodness. As the ferry left -- we were totally out of the way, totally safe. Enjoying an early lunch topside in this lush surrounding was perfectly wonderful. Siesta after, and then around 5:00-ish, Jacques took Marina and I to town to go shopping. While we were in town, Jacques needed a few things to help him cook for his family (Anne; his daughter, Jean: his son-in-law, and Louis; his grandson). Marina and I were free for a little over a hour to "shop till we drop". The last time we were in Paros, the clothes shopping was extraordinary. Sweaters, t-shirts were not only good quality, but wonderful designs. Going along the lunga-mare, we were horrified. The junkie tourist shops were supplied with old stock from the last maybe the last 3 seasons. All the products were dusty, dirty, and sometime even broken. There was only one jewelry shop,now, whose contents were lesser than the market shopping in Vallarta. Boy -- this year particularly.... the bankruptcy of the country can truly be felt at all our stops. I can find nothing to buy!! We did get the supplies that Jacques needed for his dinner, and treated ourselves to a cold drink in the shade, trying to recover from the near 100 degree temperature. At the pre-determined time, Jacques returned, with Louis, to pick us up and take us back to the cool breezes on board Milena. Once on Milena, it was nice to see and get re-acquainted with Petit Anne and her husband, Jean. Jean and I sat topside and had a gin-tonic cocktail, while Anne was helping Jacques, and Louis was pestering Marina for whatever his momentary needs were. Within an hour, Frederick had set the table, and began bringing up the wonderful leg of lamb dinner, with roasted potatoes, baked garlic and green beans. Excellent company and superb food. Louis will be joining us tomorrow for our trip thru the Corinth Canal. Jacques is to pick up Louis with the zodiac at 7:00a.m. It was close to midnight, before Jacques took his family back to the beach, where their car was waiting to return them to the hotel room they had rented for the weekend. Now, I am quietly sitting drinking a greek coffee, and Grand Mariner back, whilst journalling yet one more glorious day on Milena. Until tomorrow.... Bon Nuit from the quiet, lazy and beautiful bay in Poros. POROS Poros (Greek: Πόρος) is a small Greek island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, at a distance about 58 km (36 mi) (31 nautical miles) south from Piraeus and separated from the Peloponnese by a 200 m (656 ft) wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait. The ancient name of Poros was Pogon. Like other ports in the Saronic, it is a popular weekend destination for Athenian travellers. Poros consists of two islands: Sphairia (Greek: Σφαιρί 45;, pronounced [sfeˈria]), the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where today's city is located, and Kalaureia (Greek: Καλαυρ 43;α, [kalavˈria]), also Kalavria or Calauria (meaning 'gentle breeze'), the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over a narrow isthmus. The Municipality of Poros also includes a part of the mainland, Kyaní Aktí (pop. 213), at the easternmost point of the Peloponnese Peninsula, between the island of Poros and the island of Hydra and next to the municipalities of Troizinia and Ermionida. Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short holidays. Poros has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Graves on the island have been dated to the Mycenaean period, and manmade structures have existed on it since at least 1000 BCE. The ancient polis of Kalaureia was home to an asylum dedicated to Poseidon, the ruins of which are still accessible on a hilltop close to the town. In Byzantine times, Poros and other islands were often raided by pirates. During the Ottoman rule Poros remained independent, and helped neighbouring islands after the start of the Greek War of Independence. With the Treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji, Russia secured free shipping for its navy, war and merchant alike, throughout the waters of the Ottoman Empire. As Russian naval activity grew, need arose for a supply station, and land was acquired at the edge of Poros town. Extensive materiel, coal, and food storage facilities were built, as well as a hardtack baking factory. After Greek independence, Governor Capodistrias requisitioned the facilities for use of the Greek war navy, and offered the Russians an alternative location in a nearby cove. The new facilities were far larger, and were used by Russian ships throughout the 19th century. The number of Russian residents of Poros increased and even a Russian school was established. Then as Russian naval activity declined, so did the base and by the early 20th century only a single Russian watchman was left guarding it. It was then granted to the Greek Navy by the Czar but was never put to actual use, and the abandoned buildings were left to decay.