Waking Up to Fishermen and Cathedral Bells in Messolonghi, Greece

We sailed 8 hours to Messolonghi, Greece.  Messolonghi was certainly was a quiet town compared to the last few stops. However, I was woken up the next morning to the sound of church bells, a roaring engine, seagulls and our boat being rocked by waves. Nervously and anxiously I popped my head out of the main salon and saw a local fisherman pulling in their boat filled with the days catch.  After relief set in that we were still attached to the dock, I sat on deck to watch them unload into to truck the fish that they will disperse throughout the town.

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I had 1.5 hours before we hit sail, so while everyone slept I was eager to head out to explore the town.  I was certainly nervous passing through the quiet, lifeless, streets with few homes tucked into trees and a gated school yard, but I was determined to see the square our waitress mentioned the night before.  After 25 minutes I started to see narrow street ways packed with brick and cement buildings, and stone roads, another town full of character.  As I got closer I heard the beautiful church bells again along with faint singing that soothed my soul, I was destined to follow it.  A few winding roads and I came up to this Cathedral where the music was traveling from.  I spotted a café adjacent to the church and enjoyed the best cappuccino I ever had.  I could have sat there throughout the entire mass listening to everyone sing at Sunday church, but I had to find my way back.

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While walking past the shops and the locals enjoying their morning powwows with buddies I spotted this adorable pup that I had to photograph, then I headed back to the sailboat.  After a few minutes I noticed she was following me and after 15 minutes of her stopping at dumpsters then catching up to be by my side I fell in love! The dumpster stops and ribs showing through were a few hints she was hungry so I stopped and got her a pastry. 🙂 I was limited on choices but she didn’t want any of it, dumpster food must be more appealing! Well 2 miles later she was back at the sailboat, I tried to get Vince, “the Captain” to want her but wasn’t successful L.  After I gave her water and her wining and starring at us for 10 minutes she headed off to her next adventure.  I was so thankful because I wouldn’t be able to watch that face as I sailed off! Seriously as much as I miss my pups and hubby I probably would have cried! Look at this face, wouldn’t you?

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We left Messolonghi and sailed with the wind into our nose so it wasn’t the best of conditions as we motored toward our destination…However because of the slow and steady pace we were able to discover a medieval town after 6 hours underway! It was the coolest place!  I am hoping to have that blog post up tomorrow!  In the mean time a few more images from yesterdays adventure!

 
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Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed this post!

xo

Cylinda B.

 

 

Listening to Stories in Nidri, Greece

We sailed south 7 miles over to the small town of Nidri on Lefkada Island. For being only 6-7 miles away from Lefkas, it was a totally different experience.  It certainly feels like a small world when witnessing the life of a sailor, every corner we turned Vince & Barbie “The Captain” & “The Admiral” ran into fellow sailors/friends from around the world.  I could have listened to the locals and fellow sailors for hours about the history and culture of Europe, every person we ran into had amazing pieces of history and stories to share, it truly is incredible. I will share a few of the stories I loved listening to while exploring Nidri today, enjoy 🙂 We saw this ruin on the way from Lefkas to Nidri and I spent hours researching the internet to find out what it was and within minutes of running into Roger from Britain while at dinner he was able to tell me what it was! It was part of St Georges Castle, the Lefkas Venetians built it to guard the south end of Lefkada Island.

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Dinner was fantastic! I ate liver (taste buds satisfied, mentally it was awful! 🙂 ), lamb, FETA!, pork and cheese pie and it was INCREDIBLE!!! My main dish was Kleftiko.  What I thought was just an ordinary local dish of lamb, turned into this amazing story from history told by Tracy & Tony currently living on the island but originally from Britain.  This dish came about in WWII.  Greeks would have to hide their live stock from the Germans and Italians.  They would dig a hole deep in the ground with hot coal and place a pot filled with lamb, carrots, potatoes, and anything else they had so no one could smell it from above.  They would take it out days later and they would have this AMAZING stew.

I just loved how these beautiful mountains are filled with civilization built right into them.

Nidri Greece

Trying not to get hit by cars and mopeds we explored the local culture walking 1.5 miles from Vhilo to Nidri.  I thought it was beautiful cultural practice to personalize the resting place instead of just a gravestone and flowers for use of remembrance of their time on earth.

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The wildflowers were absolutely beautiful tucked in the most unusual places…Walking the narrow streets with stone and gravel then a sudden burst of colorful flowers on the side of the street or in walkways to homes broke up the hardness  of the town.

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Ahhhh the FOOD! Again with the food, but too great not to share.  We went to this restaurant for lunch and met this little guy. Seairra and I freaked a little but our waitress came up and grabbed it for us.  Such a cutie, loved her facial expression. After he left I had my first ever Greek Salad in Greece and it was amazing.

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Meet Aristotle Onassis! He married Jackie Kennedy, the widow of John Kennedy.  He gave a lot to the Greeks, putting a lot of people to work etc and he owned one of the islands, Scorpios. When he passed he would give the island to Greeks if the family couldn’t afford to keep it.  Instead his granddaughter leased it to the Russians for 100 years for 100 million dollars, so today Russians are still on it.

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A final thought and a few more images before we set sail 60 miles away to Ithaki. Although a little more quant then Lefkada meeting all the people from Britain, friends of Vince and Barbie made this adventure the best so far.  Especially meeting Jan and John, the accents and personality of these two was fabulous.  We shared a ton of laughs and they shared a lot of history as well.  I was never into history growing up but now as an adult I cannot get enough and I cannot wait to explore what’s around the bend!

My home for 16 Days!

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NIDRI

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Thank you for visiting! I would love to hear from you. What interesting story from history peaks your interest? I would love to research it!

xo

cylinda B

 

Yassis From Lefkada, Greece

I left NY at 11:00 am Monday morning and I was able to rest my head at midnight last night in Lefkada, Greece, 5:00 pm NY time Tuesday :). I was certainly eager to wake up and spend the morning exploring this beautiful town in Greece.  The textures and colors are absolutely stunning, there is so much character here.  I am in love with the people; whether zipping around the streets on mopeds, picking out fruits/veggies, and just enjoying their morning cappuccino over great conversation that I definitely cannot understand ,but love it as background music while exploring these brick roads.

Levkas, Greece  Levkas, Greece

Levkas, Greece

The view from outside this town is just as breathtaking as the inside.  100’s of sailboats visiting from numerous countries and the town set between the mountains and the Mediterranean sea.

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We are off to Ionan Islands, specifically Meganisi Island located in the west part of Greece this afternoon.  I am looking forward to sailing for my first time and I am prepared with my sunscreen and Dramamine just in case!  Just a few more images before I log off for today!

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A church in town, throughout Greece they put the church bells off to the side of the building to avoid destroying the church during earthquakes.

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Walkway to the town square.  This is exactly how I pictured Greece and the experience so far is 100 times better then I imagined.

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Thank you for visiting! I would love to hear from you, feel free to comment below on the post or just to say Yassis!!

Yassis,

xoxo

Cylinda B