We are now out of the Messina Strait... Hello Ionian Sea! I am not sure how long my connection will work, but for now it is and I am writing.
This trip will be approx. 40 hours. It has started raining, a summer rain, with thunder and lightening. I will later on try to put a picture of the rain as well.
We are on our way to Cefalonia.
So far so good...
I am a little sad having past our last port of Italia... Now Greece! Time to study Greek!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lipari to Messina
CLICK FOR THE UPDATED PICTURES OF TERMINI IMERESE!
After a great evening drinks with friends on board of Agapi, in Termini Imerese we left the next morning (Saturday 22. of May @ 06:00) for Lipari. One of the seven Eolian Islands of the coast of Siciliy. Why Lipari, because Agapi's model is Lipari... We knew next to nothing about this island except the beautiful pictures I had the chance to see in the book that my father had given me as a birthdday gift.
It was indeed even more beautiful than the pictures, we spent 24 hours and enjoyed the people and the village and the views. More to write about Lipari would be futile so pictures will tell you the story. HERE THEY ARE, THE PICTURES!
Our car trip around the island in company of the sun was really special. The pictures will be on the web hopefully before my connection times out or we have to leave from here, Messina Strait. OUR TRIP TO MESSINA, CLICK FOR THE PICTURES!
Messina, we reached at around 22:00 on the 23rd of May. It was a pleasant trip with enough wind to fill our sails and next to no swells. We had the chance to even enjoy our Rakis at sunset... a first while on the road!
Our last longer leg of the trip will commence today, May 24th, my dear brother's b-day! Happy b-day to you!!!
We will continue southeast towards the Ionian sea, after the end of the Messina strait we will head for Corinth Canal... Our plan is to arrive in Corinth Wednesday morning since Tuesdays the canal is closed. Then welcome to Aegean...
As this trip is coming to its end, I am looking forward to many mores like this. I have learned a lot, but mostly I have learned how much I love the sea... Much more than I even thought I did...
After a great evening drinks with friends on board of Agapi, in Termini Imerese we left the next morning (Saturday 22. of May @ 06:00) for Lipari. One of the seven Eolian Islands of the coast of Siciliy. Why Lipari, because Agapi's model is Lipari... We knew next to nothing about this island except the beautiful pictures I had the chance to see in the book that my father had given me as a birthdday gift.
It was indeed even more beautiful than the pictures, we spent 24 hours and enjoyed the people and the village and the views. More to write about Lipari would be futile so pictures will tell you the story. HERE THEY ARE, THE PICTURES!
Our car trip around the island in company of the sun was really special. The pictures will be on the web hopefully before my connection times out or we have to leave from here, Messina Strait. OUR TRIP TO MESSINA, CLICK FOR THE PICTURES!
Messina, we reached at around 22:00 on the 23rd of May. It was a pleasant trip with enough wind to fill our sails and next to no swells. We had the chance to even enjoy our Rakis at sunset... a first while on the road!
Our last longer leg of the trip will commence today, May 24th, my dear brother's b-day! Happy b-day to you!!!
We will continue southeast towards the Ionian sea, after the end of the Messina strait we will head for Corinth Canal... Our plan is to arrive in Corinth Wednesday morning since Tuesdays the canal is closed. Then welcome to Aegean...
As this trip is coming to its end, I am looking forward to many mores like this. I have learned a lot, but mostly I have learned how much I love the sea... Much more than I even thought I did...
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Porto Rotondo to Termini Imerese, Sicily
It has been a while since my last post due to technical difficulties... TAKE A LOOK AT UPDATED PICTURES!
After my mom left for Istanbul on Sunday the 16th our plan was to stay and wait for the storm to be over, until May 18th. Unfortunately May 17th in the afternoon we were surprised to see that the forecast had changed drastically and yet another storm was on the way. That meant another 4 days of Porto Rotondo or leaving asap and dealing with wakes of the last storm and arriving in Sicily before the next storm...
My father said, get ready we are leaving, his argument was very strong because on our way we could dodge the bad storms if we acted quickly... So we left at 17:20 on the 17th of May. We had 1 full day and 2 nights ahead of us.
The adventure started with the high waves of the first night. Mustafa was seasick for the first time in his life... yet the waves were high but in our favor... They were hitting us from behind and propelling us forward. We reached at times speeds of 12.4nm/h literally surfing the waves. Our engines were at 2/3 speed, or genoa was in full swing and thanks to the waves we reached a median speed of 8.1nm/h over 33.5 hours.
Despite the waves Agapi was a comfortable ride, in fact she gives me comfort and most importantly I can trust her like I can trust my dad! We had travel fellows again.. a sparrow, and many dolphins as well as another sea turtle. CLICK FOR THE PICTURES OF THE TRIP!
The long trip was actually far too short... 268nm were behind us when we arrived at Termini Imerese. A thermal town with historical traces of the Greeks, Romans and a bit of even Ottomans.
Sicilians are very nice people, very helpful. After having arrived at 3:00 am on the 19th of May at the port of Termini Imerese, we encountered the first locals the next morning, that unfortunately came far too early.
The port is filled with fisherman and some recreational sailors boats. There is also ferry traffic at all times. The payment for the stay was to be made to a gentlemen mid 70's. He was so kind to take us around the city and show us places we might need, rent a car location, train station, he even waited for us in front of the supermarket while we shopped for provisions... As I said nice people.
The town, about 30km to Palermo is a quiet town with little to no glamor. I think that exactly is what makes it so attractive.
We went shopping rented a car and walked around until the siesta time in the afternoon, since we had barely gotten enough sleep the two nights before.
From the fish market we had purchased vongole and oysters and believe you me it was a delicious meal cooked on Agapi and enjoyed by the crew.
A night of fireworks followed... a catholic celebration. While the expected storm was moving in.
Friday, 21st apparently is a big street market in Termini so we are planing to stay here to enjoy that and today, my birthday, we are in Palermo, partly cloudy, partly rainy but mostly another beautiful day with my dad.. CLICK FOR PALERMO PICTURES!
I will load the pictures now... Our next stop is a shorter trip of aprox. 8 hours - 60 miles, to Lipari, an island off the coast of Sicily. Then Messina!
After my mom left for Istanbul on Sunday the 16th our plan was to stay and wait for the storm to be over, until May 18th. Unfortunately May 17th in the afternoon we were surprised to see that the forecast had changed drastically and yet another storm was on the way. That meant another 4 days of Porto Rotondo or leaving asap and dealing with wakes of the last storm and arriving in Sicily before the next storm...
My father said, get ready we are leaving, his argument was very strong because on our way we could dodge the bad storms if we acted quickly... So we left at 17:20 on the 17th of May. We had 1 full day and 2 nights ahead of us.
The adventure started with the high waves of the first night. Mustafa was seasick for the first time in his life... yet the waves were high but in our favor... They were hitting us from behind and propelling us forward. We reached at times speeds of 12.4nm/h literally surfing the waves. Our engines were at 2/3 speed, or genoa was in full swing and thanks to the waves we reached a median speed of 8.1nm/h over 33.5 hours.
Despite the waves Agapi was a comfortable ride, in fact she gives me comfort and most importantly I can trust her like I can trust my dad! We had travel fellows again.. a sparrow, and many dolphins as well as another sea turtle. CLICK FOR THE PICTURES OF THE TRIP!
The long trip was actually far too short... 268nm were behind us when we arrived at Termini Imerese. A thermal town with historical traces of the Greeks, Romans and a bit of even Ottomans.
Sicilians are very nice people, very helpful. After having arrived at 3:00 am on the 19th of May at the port of Termini Imerese, we encountered the first locals the next morning, that unfortunately came far too early.
The port is filled with fisherman and some recreational sailors boats. There is also ferry traffic at all times. The payment for the stay was to be made to a gentlemen mid 70's. He was so kind to take us around the city and show us places we might need, rent a car location, train station, he even waited for us in front of the supermarket while we shopped for provisions... As I said nice people.
The town, about 30km to Palermo is a quiet town with little to no glamor. I think that exactly is what makes it so attractive.
We went shopping rented a car and walked around until the siesta time in the afternoon, since we had barely gotten enough sleep the two nights before.
From the fish market we had purchased vongole and oysters and believe you me it was a delicious meal cooked on Agapi and enjoyed by the crew.
A night of fireworks followed... a catholic celebration. While the expected storm was moving in.
Friday, 21st apparently is a big street market in Termini so we are planing to stay here to enjoy that and today, my birthday, we are in Palermo, partly cloudy, partly rainy but mostly another beautiful day with my dad.. CLICK FOR PALERMO PICTURES!
I will load the pictures now... Our next stop is a shorter trip of aprox. 8 hours - 60 miles, to Lipari, an island off the coast of Sicily. Then Messina!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Bonifacio to Sardinia
CLICK FOR THE PICTURES
Before anything the pictures from Bonifacio were updated, to take a look CLICK!
The trip to Sardinia, PORTO ROTONDO, was not a very long one yet eventful enough. Great sailing, 8.1nm/h using only our sail. Smooth sailing, beautiful views, many boats sailing alongside us. Yet we managed to find one single cloud big enough to make us our own private storm of 20 minutes. Rain, wind and waves... Mustafa and I trying to take down our sail and flying around at times with the mast movements. Mom looked and said ohh Hande's feet are in the air. It was a Hollywood storm made for us. After we were soaked to our bones, the sun came up and it pretended like nothing had happened. Arriving at Porto Rotondo, I was especially happy, because finally we were done with France. I think I would rather be in Italy on a dentist chair than having a nice dinner in France...
Relief, people are happy... They are helpful and mostly they do try to converse with you in any language they can.
Porto Rotondo is somewhat like Port Gocek. It was established around 40 years ago thanks to Aga Khan. Hence being here with AGA PI is meaningful.
The weather report is prohibitive once again and leaving here will be postponed until further notice, probably until Tuesday the 18th... Then we have Sicilia on our route.
Cise has already left for Turkey, mom and Berna will be leaving us tomorrow, Sunday... Then back to the original crew.
Dad's beard is growing well and he looks more handsome and feels more malleable. I think he is enjoying this trip as much as I do, ok maybe a little less :)
He was called back to Istanbul for business, but it looks like, it will be hard to arrange to be at a reasonable spot for him to go back... but we will see.
Today and tomorrow I hope to rent a motorcycle to tour around the island. My dad thinks I am crazy. This is for now. I shall write more, before that, I will add the pictures up to now.
Before anything the pictures from Bonifacio were updated, to take a look CLICK!
The trip to Sardinia, PORTO ROTONDO, was not a very long one yet eventful enough. Great sailing, 8.1nm/h using only our sail. Smooth sailing, beautiful views, many boats sailing alongside us. Yet we managed to find one single cloud big enough to make us our own private storm of 20 minutes. Rain, wind and waves... Mustafa and I trying to take down our sail and flying around at times with the mast movements. Mom looked and said ohh Hande's feet are in the air. It was a Hollywood storm made for us. After we were soaked to our bones, the sun came up and it pretended like nothing had happened. Arriving at Porto Rotondo, I was especially happy, because finally we were done with France. I think I would rather be in Italy on a dentist chair than having a nice dinner in France...
Relief, people are happy... They are helpful and mostly they do try to converse with you in any language they can.
Porto Rotondo is somewhat like Port Gocek. It was established around 40 years ago thanks to Aga Khan. Hence being here with AGA PI is meaningful.
The weather report is prohibitive once again and leaving here will be postponed until further notice, probably until Tuesday the 18th... Then we have Sicilia on our route.
Cise has already left for Turkey, mom and Berna will be leaving us tomorrow, Sunday... Then back to the original crew.
Dad's beard is growing well and he looks more handsome and feels more malleable. I think he is enjoying this trip as much as I do, ok maybe a little less :)
He was called back to Istanbul for business, but it looks like, it will be hard to arrange to be at a reasonable spot for him to go back... but we will see.
Today and tomorrow I hope to rent a motorcycle to tour around the island. My dad thinks I am crazy. This is for now. I shall write more, before that, I will add the pictures up to now.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Bonifacio
I am writing to you from a very unique port of Corsica... Bonifacio. Another Cyber Cafe and sketchy connections.
I loved this place, we found a great berth place for Agapi and toured the island and rested, ate and ate and rested. The pictures tell the story of the trip here as well as this town. A place worth visiting. CLICK TO SEE THE PHOTOS.
Tomorrow morning we are on our way again, unfortunately the weather forecast is not really on our side, forceful winds and some waves are in our future.
I loved this place, we found a great berth place for Agapi and toured the island and rested, ate and ate and rested. The pictures tell the story of the trip here as well as this town. A place worth visiting. CLICK TO SEE THE PHOTOS.
Tomorrow morning we are on our way again, unfortunately the weather forecast is not really on our side, forceful winds and some waves are in our future.
Monday, May 10, 2010
270 miles down 1000 more to go... A journey, I wish never to end!
Leaving the port at Canet was GREAT... ca. 30-40 hours of sea and nothing else was the plan. And it happened as such as well.
My post is delayed due to no connection.
Long story short, it was a long trip, but I really did not want to come back to land. It was the endless sea and storm, cold, wind and waves quiet high at night. Navigating was ok due to the great electronic devices we have. Reality though; no device can take away the unknown of absolute darkness in absence of the moon and the stars.
Seeing the daylight break was seeing relief in my fathers eyes.
Beginning of our trip, we encountered a sparrow like bird which flew into the boat to rest, she was a bit too far out to fly back to land without a rest... On our route we observed sea creatures of all sorts, many whales, a sea-turtle, many sharks and even more than all of them put together dolphins, the most amazing swimmers leading us towards Corsica, Ajaccio... My father made a great movie I will upload as soon as I get the chance along with pictures of all sorts.
And yes the dolphins under the boat between the two hulls... laying on the hammock almost close enough to touch, amazing feeling. Amazing feelingS!
In Ajaccio, Agapi received its first guests, mom, sister and Berna.
Also the first oil change of the engines and we refueled.
Tomorrow morning we will leave Ajaccio, Port Tino Rossi for Bonifacio. A short trip 37nm, ca. 4-5 hours.
Right now I am sitting at an internet cafe downloading the weather and wind forecast for the upcoming days.
My post is delayed due to no connection.
Long story short, it was a long trip, but I really did not want to come back to land. It was the endless sea and storm, cold, wind and waves quiet high at night. Navigating was ok due to the great electronic devices we have. Reality though; no device can take away the unknown of absolute darkness in absence of the moon and the stars.
Seeing the daylight break was seeing relief in my fathers eyes.
Beginning of our trip, we encountered a sparrow like bird which flew into the boat to rest, she was a bit too far out to fly back to land without a rest... On our route we observed sea creatures of all sorts, many whales, a sea-turtle, many sharks and even more than all of them put together dolphins, the most amazing swimmers leading us towards Corsica, Ajaccio... My father made a great movie I will upload as soon as I get the chance along with pictures of all sorts.
And yes the dolphins under the boat between the two hulls... laying on the hammock almost close enough to touch, amazing feeling. Amazing feelingS!
In Ajaccio, Agapi received its first guests, mom, sister and Berna.
Also the first oil change of the engines and we refueled.
Tomorrow morning we will leave Ajaccio, Port Tino Rossi for Bonifacio. A short trip 37nm, ca. 4-5 hours.
Right now I am sitting at an internet cafe downloading the weather and wind forecast for the upcoming days.
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