37:07.80N 26:50.91E

April 28

With the remaining winds we were able to sail as we left the marina in Kos.  With just the headsail (gennaker) and wind nearly directly behind us we made good speed.  Average during the sail was 7 knots while the peak was 9 knots.  As we approached Leros the winds dropped, several tacks to try closer to shore failed to generate much more.  Soon it was too slow and just rolly so motor came on for the last two hours.

Lakki Marina in the small town is not a true marina but a town quay that is managed by a marina.  It is at the far end of a long narrow bay that provides very good protection from the northerly winds.  The marina has install very stout mooring lines, bollards and rings at the quay for secure berthing.  However, as with many things in Greece they upgraded the waterfront surface, electrical boxes and water outlets but have yet to connect them.  There is a non potable water hose for washing the boat.  The marina can hold about 35 boats and every space was filled by sundown.  About 10 boats anchored off in the eastern end of the bay.

There is a new true marina across the bay with floating docks and a large boatyard.  However since it is just opening it is not listed in the pilot guides and they do not have any signs up to entice people as they enter the area.  The downside of the new marina is it’s a little walk out of town.  The positive side is it is away from the incessant stupid car and cycle traffic in front of Lakki Marina.  Teenagers and adult drive along the waterfront, turn around at the marina and drive back and forth all day and into the night.  All with nearly open exhaust or 2-stroke bikes.  Seems to be the cruising thing to do from the 1950’s and 60’s in the USA.  Just really annoying.  Seems to have gotten this way in the last two years according to shop owners.  No police in town to stop it.  Speed bumps are now effectively illegal in most of Greece due to a court case that was ruled in favor of the stupid kid who got hurt while “cruising” when he hit one too fast.  No town wants to take the financial risk so they have removed most of them.

Not much in town but there are two good supermarkets, produce stores and a very good butcher shop with quality beef, lamb, chicken and turkey breasts.  Not common in Greece on many of the islands.  Also a very well stocked hardware store with lots of hand and power tools along with some boat stuff.

After touring the entire town in 30 minutes there is little else to do.  A ferry does arrive from other islands and brings tourist in who then head directly to the full service resorts across the island.  So it’s really just the boaters that provide the town with tourist trade.  I assume in the summer this is a very busy destination.

This was the quietest form of transportation in town.  Each day this guy rides the donkey into town, buys groceries and then heads back.

View of the marina from the water.  The large building and many others around town are remnants of the Italian occupation.  This was one of the Italian military bases in Greece thanks to Mussolini.  Some of the buildings are partially restored and used by private businesses as warehouses.  The water is very clear (in 7 meters the bottom is easy to see) in this bay probably because of the limited number of residents and development along the shores.  Good showers and toilets in the marina office help keep the boaters from dumping  grey and black water.  Did not see plastic or other trash floating so the locals must respect the water not like many other small ports.