Symi–Panormitis Bay

Its now Sunday 4^th October.

There is no phone reception in the anchorage at Tilos so no WIFI or weather forecast available for today. No wind in the bay, just a few zephyrs. We are going to take a chance and hope that the wind picks up mid morning, don’t fancy 26 hot miles motor sailing across to Symi.

After a swim and breakfast we headed off at 10:30 with a waypoint set just off of Panormitis bay, our planned destination and anchorage.

Our passage for today and an enlarged chart of the anchorage

You can see how close we are to Rhodes & Turkey here.  On a previous Neilson shorebased holiday we managed to blag a spare yacht for one of our weeks and sailed in Turkish waters right past Symi. I remember Louise’s comment at the time ….”It’s all very beige”.

There was still not enough wind to sail so we put the fishing lines out in the hope of catching our dinner. I am quite happy when we don’t however.

Just after 12:00 the wind picked up and blew steadily from the NW all the way to Panormitis. Genoa only but a nice 4 plus knots average SOG.

We arrived in Panormitis at 17:30.

It was busier than expected & not as pretty as expected.

Happily no fish were injured in the making of this blog, so something else will be required for tea.

Anchored in the bay & the monastery which dominates it

The next morning was spent ashore having a coffee and visiting the famous monastery. It is quite impressive and I think you can hire out little rooms or cells rather should you wish to retreat from the world for a bit, at least that’s what they looked like to me.

The whole of the bay is part of the monastery and the vehicular access on the road is kept locked, only opening for arranged taxis, trips and the local bus to Symi town.

While we were visiting a ferry arrived and deposited a boat load of tourists, mostly Greek Pilgrims I think.

Now, remember Covid 19 restrictions, masks, etc are in place. However inside the little church there is a golden shrine to a Saint where the custom must be to kiss it  – so everyone proceeded to take off their masks and do so one immediately after another!

No sooner had they arrived than they were off again leaving the monastery deserted.

There is a taverna, a small mini market, a lovely bakery  and a coffee shop so we were OK for provisions. The Taverna was nice enough but just OK – lacking customers & the buzz I suppose.

Views of the harour & the ferry arriving seen through the archway of the monastery entrance

Inside the monastery

Inside the church and the “Covid Kissing“ incubation shrine

Now you see them ……………….

Now you don’t……………….

It’s certainly a very peaceful anchorage and it does grow on you.

At night with the lights on unfortunately not such a good picture.