SEPT. 2 KARDAMENA........SEPT 20 KOLONA BEACH, KYTHNOS

After our 8 hour voyage,  motoring into 2 metre waves we arrive in Kardamena tired and hungry.  We settle in at the town dock right opposite a Thai restaurant, "The Wok and Roll". Vivamare had arrived a few hours earlier and saved a spot for us.  Everyone agrees Thai/Chinese food would be a welcome change from the usual Greek food.  The food was excellent and we would eat there several more times.  My favourite fortune cookie was brilliant, "your blessing is no more than being safe and sound for a whole lifetime".

It was now time to say goodbye to Christa and Anke who flew back to Germany from here.  We loved spending time with them and have many fond memories of our time together.

After looking carefully at the weather forecast for the next several days it was clear we weren't  going anywhere  for at least a week so we decided to have some fun discovering other places on the island.  

ASKLEPIEION

Our first stop was the Roman Asklepieion built in 357 BC.  The Asklepieion is an ancient hospital or healing temple dedicated to the God of health, Asklepios.  Hippocrates is said to have received his medical training here.

DIE MUHLE ON KOS

Getting a little hungry we turned the car in the direction of the highly recommended "Die Mühle", an old mill renovated by a German couple who now make their living with this cute little cafe 
serving home-made "Apfelkuchen".

BEACH VIEW FROM APLO BAR

Day 3 with rental car we headed to the west end of the island to the APLO Beach Bar overlooking Mastichari Beach with Kalymnos in the background  watching kite surfers while enjoying a fresh baguette with smoked salmon and a Mojito, reluctantly making plans to cast off the next morning. 

Left the Kardamena Quay around 9am; wind comes and goes during the 40nm journey into Agrilithi Bay.   Beautiful turquoise bay all to ourselves, so skinny dipping seemed only natural.  

Further west we go to the tiny island of Schoinousa, then on to Paros anchorage for 2 nights.  Our average daily sail is between 30-45 nm. By the way i'm not sure if I have ever demystified  nm; 1 nautical mile is 1.85 km.  After a 7 hour motoring trip we arrive in the town Loutra on Kythnos.    Loutra is a small, very traditional port and seaside resort built around a natural bay with a small but busy marina.  The name means baths in reference to the thermal springs of the area whose healing properties are famous from ancient times. 

LOUTRA

LOUTRA THERMAL SWIMMING HOLE

DOUBLE IS BETTER

MOST INCREDIBLE RAINBOW

After 3 months we enjoyed our first short rain shower and the pleasure of capturing this most spectacular rainbow.  These 2 pictures don't really show the real beauty of what we actually witnessed.  

Our dinghy had slowly been losing air  and after several attempts to re-inflate, the skipper decided to investigate.  He concocted a soapy solution and brushed it on the seams hoping to see bubbles. Winner.......patch was glued on!!!

According to all weather websites we were now preparing for a heavy wind storm to hit our little bay early evening. As the winds picked up extra lines were hauled out of lockers and were used tie all the boats together across each bow.  Our wind meter measured 35 knots around 60km/h.....a little scary, but with the right precautions all went well.

KOLONA BEACH

The next morning was a clear, sunny day so we motored north 10 nm along the Kythnos coast to my personal favourite anchorage, Kolona Beach....  Heaven on earth!    Anchor set on third try.

HEAVEN ON EARTH

This stunningly beautiful stretch of golden sand is very unique and comes with a romantic, tranquil vibe; except Friday afternoons when the charter boats squeeze 20-30 boats in here before heading back to the mainland the next morning to return their boats.  

KOLONA BEACH BAY

Simple Abundance and Vivamare spent 2 afternoons playing Scopa, the most popular card game in Italy.  We took our dinghy to the beach and took the path towards the taverna.  I found the views breathtaking.

TAVERNA VIEW