Monday 18th July, 2011.
We left Gouvia marina in the early afternoon for Paxos
island 8 miles south of Corfu. The wind
was very favourable all along the Corfu coast for sailing and we passed by Pontikonisi,
Benitses and Kavos.
Once out from behind the headland of Kavos on leaving Corfu
we encountered 16 to 17 knots of breeze passing between Corfu and Paxos. We reefed and Ariel crossed the water doing 8
to 9 knots and we enjoyed the full breeze and quick passage time. A Jeanneau 42 who had been giving us a little
race down the Corfu coast battled on without reefing and got rounded up twice
before taking some action. We were
anchored, tied up with lines to the rocks (another first with Geoff and
Vivienne’s help) and having drinks before the 42 arrived in Lakka bay. We had covered over 35 miles from start to
finish.
The anchorage is at the north end of Paxos island and with
marvellous cover from the land. The
water is gin clear and aquamarine colour and although not as warm as Gouvia it
is very pleasant. The hills are covered
with olive trees which is still a big part of the island’s economy and pines
with small houses dotted in the hills. Apricot and other fruit trees are
growing everywhere.
On the quay where many yachts moor are several large
taverna’s all with pretty table cloths and fresh fish cabinets on display to
welcome you in to their establishment.
Behind the quay is an array of small shops selling anything from silk
hammocks to drink mats and more restaurants.
As I already had dinner awaiting us after our evening stroll we had to
pass up the wonderful mouth watering legs of lamb which were being spit roasted
at the pizza restaurant. Perhaps we will
be back another day!
Paxos is suppose to be the romantic hideaway of the god
Poseidon who created the island for his mistress, Amphitrite. It is suppose to have risen from the azure
depths of the Ionian Sea emerging from the crystal waters through the power of
the divine couple’s love. Its small size
has saved it from the turbulent history of its larger neighbours. We took the dinghy to the beach this morning
and after a long cold coffee at the beach taverna climbed up to the top of the
cliffs and walked to the lighthouse which takes in the 360 degree view of the
island and across to Corfu and the mainland.
We found some lovely apartments high on the cliffs with beautiful pools
with the view over the bay. Paxos is a
wonderful place for a quiet relaxing holiday with lots of restaurants to try
over your stay.
We stayed another night and of course we tried out the roast
leg and it was delicious!
