36:20.85N 25:24.11E Santorini
Santorini
9th June, 2015.
We left Folegandros and after discussion we motored towards Santorini. Santorini being the target for Frank and Sue’s trip. Unfortunately, due to the weather in Milos we could not see Santorini and make for Naxos as we expected due to the delay. We covered 37.9 miles sailing mostly but having to motor as we lost the wind in a hole but it always came back.
The first impression of the island was that it is moon shaped with very high cliffs and surrounding islands which are inhabited. The formation of the rock is fascinating with red, white and black cliffs. The white villages clinging to the volcanic rock about the black cliffs is stunning. Jim found the buoys just as we entered the huge bay but they were quite a way from the town so we motored on past the cruise liners and the ferry quay. There is nowhere for yachts to anchor or tie up so we motored out the other end of the island and around to the south side making for a small marina. We tried but the sand bar which is supposed to be dredged has not in a long time. The harbour is used exclusively by catamarans who take clients out to see the sights and rush back to pick up the next party probably from the cruise ships anchored in the bay. As this was not an option we motored back to a small unprotected bay.
Frank and Sue left us here as they still had to book their ferry ticket for Athens. A wise move as it was the worse night we have had. All was still until 11 o’clock after a lovely sunset but then the wind started. We rocked and rolled all night and after sun rise the wind dropped a degree. Jim slept in the back cabin away from the bow thruster and I slept in the saloon as everything you could think of started moving and rattling. Thank goodness Frank and Sue were tucked up in a hotel for the night.
Another time we think it would be best to be on another island and just ferry to Santorini Last year we tried to ferry from Ios but we were told it was go today and come back tomorrow. Jim was not happy to leave the boat with so many ferries coming into the little harbour and being bounced about but it is the only answer for us as Ariel needs 2.05 metres of water under her. Or perhaps an aeroplane holiday!
Santorini’s history goes back a long way. It was colonised by the Minoans in 3000 BC. The volcano erupted in 1450 BC forming Santorini’s crescent shape. The island is widely believed to be a candidate for the lost kingdom of Atlantis. It was named Thira by the Dorians when they settled on the island in the 8th century BC. It was renamed Santorini after St. Irene by the Venetians who conquered the island in the 13th century.
