We untied our lines from stern to rocks and lifted anchor motoring the tiny distance of approx. 2 n miles to a bay called Port Atheni.  Here all of the yachts from super yachts to small yachts are anchored and lines stern to the rocks. The water quality is lovely with an abundance of yellow/green fluted coral on the seabed. 

We dingied to the beach and popped into a beach bar which had all the qualities of the Caribbean complete with reggae and Bob Marley music.

 

The next day we motored this short 3 n miles to Vathy, another Vathy but in the Island of Meganisi where we moored to the waterfront quay. The charming little town has a lovely quality with some quite sophisticated small taverna's. The local fishing boats still go in and out as they have for centuries along side the 150ft superyachts. We were told that it is becoming an ‘off –patch’ destination for yachts with ‘high society’ and ‘celebrity’ guests.  In winter the locals re-claim it but in high summer we saw an elderly lady dressed totally in head to foot black, complete with head scarf sitting in her front garden watching the world go by.  I wonder what she has seen in life on this tiny island and what she thinks as celebrities pass by ?

This is a little gem of a small harbour to visit for a short stay.

 

The following day we left Vathy to sail the short distance to the Island of Skorpios where we anchored off the beach. The Island is privately owned by the Onassis family and was originally purchased by the late Aristotle Onassis. In the past their motor yacht , Christina, named after his daughter used to be moored on buoys between Skorpios and Skorpidhi the adjacent island the family also own. 

The island is heavily planted with trees for privacy and whilst yachts are able to pass by or anchor near the island, it is private from above the high water mark.  And so..... this is where Jackie Kennedy who became Jackie Onassis holidayed and gained privacy from the world of the public eye. Those were the days before full on paparazzi and long telephoto lenses.

On the shore line there is an old beach house which Jackie Onassis enjoyed. Today there would be no privacy.

 

We enjoyed lunch at anchor in spectacular sunshine, swimming in clear water and 35 degrees.

 

Later we lifted anchor to head for the Island of Levkas, motoring on a flat calm sea with light breeze after 5 n miles we anchored in Tranquil bay opposite the town of Nidri on Levkas.

 

That evening we visited Nidri by dinghy. The town is the main resort for Levkas and so is full-on tourism.  ‘Us’ girlies enjoyed shopping around the trinket, ‘shiny shops’.

In one shop I saw a photograph taken in 1900 from the slopes and mountain above Nidri looking down to the coast and across to Tranquil bay where Tioram was anchored.

The area and coastline was purely agricultural land and a sea shore without any buildings what so ever, not even fishermen's huts.   It is incredible to think of what the elderly people have seen during those changing years.

Nidri is an interesting mix of stunning scenery and tourist town.

 

Carol and Imogen enjoyed sleeping on deck under the stars in the warm overnight air.

 

Love to all

 

Tina, Tony, Carol, Pat, Alex and Imogen x x x

 

Photo’s on following map reference/Photo blogs.