Monemvasia

Tuesday 5 January 2016

The Sunrise the sky is blue and a wind decreasing to West we decide to raise the anchor. Here we are on the road to Ak Tainaron (the middle of the Peloponnese finger).  A district has a weather announced that in two days there will be a strong wind to West on the southern part of the Greece. We decide to take advantage of current conditions to continue eastward and pass Ak Maleas (Cape Malea) that night and put away on the coast of the Peloponnese.

As we had anticipated it, Ak Tainaron passing is done with rough seas and more 30 knots of wind.. However we draw an outline along it dreaded Cape Malea with a flat sea and a little breeze which struggled to advance. It is not complaining!

It is 1 in the morning the 6 January when we come before the all lit up village of Monemvasia. First wetting at night along the beach north of the village. At sunrise of the day we do the tour of the "Rock" to get shelter in the small port. Finally... saw the surf in the harbour we wonder if we were not better at anchor!
Once moored we will discover the old village at the foot of the rock. Monemvasia is a 1.8 km long and 300 meters in height. A bridge connects it to the Earth. To get to the village you need to take a narrow road which runs along the seafront. Monemvasia, original Byzantine is divided into 2 sectors :  an ancient city fortified at the top and a medieval village below. Unfortunately access to the Summit is closed.

Among the old houses in ruins encased in the rock, restoring churches and zigzag paths that climb to us breath, There are a few small hotels and restaurants open to accommodate the few tourists in winter.
The souvenir shops that line the steep alleys, not alter the stamp of the village. Not temptation everything is closed

We are a little intrigued by its black spheres that are securely attached to the ground... a game of bowls can be.. Philippe would be almost able to shoot in one of the balls... it abhik finally

 

                                                                                                                Last photo before the descent to the port!

The next day, Ballad on the heights, looking for thyme and Rosemary in the hills...

 

 

We draw an outline along the mountain by the South and the West on a stony but well-marked trail. The descent is on the north side and has this period the soil remains wet all day. The stones are covered with... well slippery foam. The descent is steep and the solution for Nathalie is down on the buttocks…  The Sun is lying when we join the boat tired but satisfied our hiking.

Sunday 10 January: Ieraka

Anchorage in the well sheltered gully where is located the small port of Ieraka. We are facing the village seems asleep. Three taverns informed along the quay seem to open. Once the well hung anchor, we jump in the annex to go ashore. We have lunch in a tavern with a family atmosphere. The boss offers its fish of the day and we have the impression that he really wants to get rid of it due to lack of customers. We prefer to choose something else.

Other people who appear to be regulars of restore settled around a table. The boss greets the Group and immediately their fish this... it is under an amused eye as we look at the scene... Bingo!!  the boss was able to sell its dish of the day.

We only stay one night and leave the next day northward, at the small port of Plaka, a few kilometres from Leonidhion. We put ourselves back to the dock. A fisherman just spontaneously take our moorings. We sympathize and the next night we enjoy our evening meal in the tavern of Michel and Margaret where he worked occasionally. Wind gusts are sudden and brutal,  We are obliged to leave the harbour hurriedly to the daybreak two days after our arrival.

Wednesday 13 January: Dhrepano

We find a well protected place because a gust of wind is expected. Khaidhari Bay seems to us to be somewhere safe. Many boats overwinter on dead body at the bottom of the Bay opposite the villages of Dhrepanou / Vivári. We throw the anchor in 13 m of water away from all these yachts. Announced Gale is confirmed. That day we remain on board with electronics market, the wind reached 35 Knots. Beautiful sunny days allow us to browse trails lined with orange trees, lemon trees, Mandarin and olive trees... without crossing big world!!!