Transiting out of Turkey..and into Greece

We said "farewell" to Turkey, and our friends Eko and Gulin who have an exciting new venture "Seven Seas Sailing School on their Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49DS "Soulmate".  We did the ARC with them in 2010, met up again in the Azores and Lagos  in 2011 and had a great reunion on "Soulmate".  They'll be in the Caribbean again in 2013 so I'm sure we'll meet again.  See Eko and Gulin at www.7seassailingschool.com

"Soulmate" in Marmaris

Motored the entire 35nm to Rhodos in a light south westerly.  Approached Mandraki Harbour after getting no response on the VHF,  but refused entry!  So anchored east of the entrance and dinghied in to see what was happening.  It seems that there was "one" berth available and we could have it for one night..possibly two.  Dinghied back out again, lifted the anchor and finally we were anchored in the harbour and stern to the quay, ready to commence the laborious check-in procedure.  We explored much more of Rhodos, purchased some items, topped up the Cosmote dongle, ate once again at Meltemi and we  were ready to leave for our cruise to Corfu via the southern Dodeconese, Cyclades, Crete and the Ionian.

Leaving Rhodos with one of Club Med's computer controlled ships in the background

Motored out, set the sails and headed for Nisos Simi, which we'd sailed past a number of times but never stopped there.  Panormitis is in the south-west corner with an impressive monastery and clock tower on "monks' time", chiming at odd intervals!  Beautiful, quiet, secluded but there were 20+ yachts in there with us!!

Favourite pastime!

Clock on monks' time

Next day brought beautiful sailing conditions - 8-12 knots SW smooth waters :)  Sailed past Nisos Nisiros where we'd been with the Aegean Regatta and then the wind went more to the south with building seas and underlying westerly swell.  Would we be more comfortable heading north to Leros?  After a few minutes of indecision we decided to ease sheets and head WNW to Nisos Astipalaia.  It was 2130 Hours before we approached the narrow shallow entrance to Vathi on Astipalaia to reveal a perfect anchorage.  Just a few yachts at anchor and loads of room for us to swing and sleep soundly.

It was only early next morning we realised that the forward hatch hadn't been securely fastened because the mosquito screen was still in place.....and we had had some rough conditions the previous day.  It was a good excuse to stay another day in our perfect anchorage and dry out :)