The plan for today is a gentle day sail after 5 nights in Porto Koufo we are heading 10 miles up to Nea Marmaris.
Passage plan 10 miles hopefully not across land though
What started out as a 7kt breeze quickly changed to 17kts so it was quite a fast passage.
I have often seen on the charts “Sea Plane Landing Area” but today was my first live sighting (Louise was snoozing below and missed it). A yellow plane with floats circled above us then descended about a mile away and performed a touch and go.
On the way to Nea Marmaris you pass Porto Carras Marina developed along the lines of the posh Marinas in the South of France by Greek shipping magnate John Carras – hence the name. It houses two hyper-hotels, squash & tennis courts, swimming pools, boutiques, theatre and a casino. Importantly they also have resident Port Police (Hellenic Coast Guard). These are the people I need to get our annual cruising permit “Dekpa” stamped and it’s due soon. If you don’t get it stamped before the anniversary date it’s a 500 Euro fine.
Air photo of Porto Carass from the Pilot book
Now, just for info, historically the Greek harbours nightly charge can be about 4 to 10 Euros but more often than not no charge at all and that sometimes even includes water & electricity. The pukka marinas on the other hand can be around 20 to 30 Euros. So we expected a quote of a wee bit higher from Porto Carras but not the 84.00 Euros plus VAT (24%) plus 10.00 Euros for electricity, plus a metered charge for water! So not for us ! Although in anticipation, I had dug out my black dinner jacket for the casino. Ah well, maybe next time Mr Bond ?
Nea Marmaris was a settlement in ancient times predating the Byzantine settlement. In 1922 Greeks from Turkey were settled here in one of the exchange of populations and the village was renamed Nea Marmaris. It has developed into a large resort town and the original village around the natural harbour now climbs up and over the steep too hummock behind the harbour.
We arrived past the broken breakwater at 10:00 am dropped our anchor and slotted stern too into the last available berth on the pontoon. Bob and Andrea had been alongside the fishing dock for the previous few nights; he’s not keen on the Mediterranean mooring as his boat having bilge keels doesn’t go backwards that well.
The harbour and submerged wave breaker pontoon at night
Heading out the 1st night
Having safely negotiated all the dangers on approach, the restaurant recommended by Bob & Andrea was to prove more troublesome to the skipper!
Ooops ! new t shirt as well.
T shirt changed, the next night we were joined by Bob & Andrea for a Friday Night Gyros, this has become a habit since our meeting in Kalamata.
No …… I’ve no idea what I am doing ?
Gyros here we come
Some interesting sites along the way:
el
Ducks outside the Dire Hotel
The 1st day I had visited almost all the mini markets in Nea Marmaris unsuccessfully looking for cat sanitary supplies – cat litter to you & me & more importantly Lily. Ever tried miming cat litter to a non English speaking Greek?
The 2nd day Louise has success on her first hit, lucky white heather, I say. I was getting ready to dig up the beach.
Cat sorted we can think about moving on.
Ha Ha did you get a bib why shopping for Lily? I have to say you seem to spend a lot of time accommodating her with one thing or another. Worse than a wean me thinks. Lol xx
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As Diane said” I’ve left it a bit late in life to have my first child”
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