Amouliani

Lying in the NE corner of Singitikos Kolpos, just south of the site of Xerxes canal is the island of Amoulini.

The canal was ordered by king Xerxes of Persia in 480BC, in preparation of his invasion of Greece. It is said that he hoped to avoid a repetition of the disaster some 12 years previously when the Persian fleet was destroyed by storms when rounding the Mount Athos peninsula. (You can see the site of it at Nea Rodha Wpt#3 on the chartlet below)

Only about 15 miles as the crow flies we however totted up about 20 as we tacked back & forth across, originally intending heading to round the south but in the end arrived via the north.

We anchored off the main town next to the ferry dock. It’s not an ideal or particularly safe anchorage with quickly shoaling waters. However the forecast was for relative calm so we were happy for one night. Years ago we couldn’t get in here as there were too many boats. There were none this evening ……eh I wonder why, do they know something we don’t? lol.

We found it very touristy down near the harbour and full of brash Bulgarians,

but up near the church in the old square it’s still very Greek. We had discovered a delightful “small plates taverna” on our last visit and we revisited it this time. It was just as good, lovely people and busy with friendly locals.

Quasi Modo and his small plates

Only downside of the evening was I had earlier dived down to check the anchor and got stung in the eye by a wasp or jelly fish and was now doing a fine impersonation of Quasi Modo, lol.

Ok Louise bashed me one,lol.