37:24.72N 24:23.70E

Morning came in Kea and we had to leave.  Not in a big rush since the next island was only 20+ miles away.  Leaving the harbor we set sails determined to get some sailing in.  Winds were okay and we were averaging about 6 knots over a couple of hours.  The wind direction had us a little further south in our course than ideal but okay.  We watched a few other boats sailing and when the winds were above 12 knots we were faster.  Below that we were slower.  That is the price to pay for cruising, one ton of freshwater, nearly one ton of fuel plus all the other important stuff onboard make a slow boat.

But once the winds get going we can still run a good speed.  In fact we played a bit with a Bavaria 50, tacking against each other.  We blew a tack or two, did not get the headsail set quickly, but once set we could pull away.  Then the winds died down and changed direction.  Looking at the place we needed to go and the wind direction we pulled in the sails and motored to our anchorage for the night.

This anchorage is on the west side of the island and is well protected from most winds and waves except from the west.  The bottom is sand and weed but the sand is very hard packed.  We dropped anchored off the beach in 8.5 meters of water and let out 34 meters of rode.  The water was clear and warm so I dove in to check the anchor set.  The hard sand prevented an initial good set so I asked Pat to back the boat up against the chain and I would check it again.  This time the CQR anchor dug in and made the night comfortable.

The anchorage is fairly deserted on the shore.  A few houses, one Taverna (closed) and goats.  This is a very old area that has been in pasture and agriculture for many centuries.  Almost no trees are left but in the past they terraced the hillsides to allow growing of a few crops and grazing.  It also has a hot spring in the outer part of the anchorage.

The water here is clear and the marine life is composed of sea grasses and schools of fish.  No coral formations but effectively no sea urchins.

Around 04:00 the waves started to enter the anchorage from the west.  At first I thought this was ship wakes because the pattern was irregular.  But after a few hours it must have been waves generated 100+ miles away heading in.  SO our pleasant anchorage became a rolly place to be and we left.

View of the anchorage in the morning.  Can’t see the rolly waves coming entering in this picture.

Typical Greek white houses on the hillside.  Notice no trees and terracing of the hill behind the house.