Real-time blogging will soon return!
When we weren't able to cruise during 2015 we've tried to keep our blog alive with relevant boating material. Soon we'll be able to return to blogging about real-time cruising adventures including the not-so-much-fun issues that invariably arise - watch this space!
Envoy is in Lefkas Marina, Greece and we are home in Auckland, New Zealand planning to return to Greece early next month to commence cruising by late April.
Destination 4: Astipalaia Island
Where is it?: In the Aegean Sea's Dodecanese Islands Group
How long is required to enjoy here?: Just a few days
Brief outline: A stunning butterfly-shaped island indented with numerous anchorages regarded as some of the best in Greece and well sheltered from the prevailing north-west Meltemi wind.
Astipalaia is shaped like a butterfly with many great anchorages
Must do: Take the bus to Skala overlooking Ormos Livadhi to explore the village and ruins of the 13th century Genoese castle, inhabited until the 1950s when an earthquake largely destroyed it.
15th century Genoese castle and Chora
We based ourselves in Maltezana Bay, so-named because it was formerly a lair for Maltese pirates preying on shipping plying the Aegean. Historically the island's inhabitants had an understanding and co-existed peacefully with the pirates. We met a Croatian couple on a boat similar to, but larger than Envoy. They are professional crew for the British lady owner.
Envoy and Sarah Jane anchored in Maltezana
Here is a memorial to a French Naval Officer, Captain Bisson, who in 1862 was sailing an under-crewed captured prize-ship, Panayoti, back to France with some captured pirates aboard. Bad weather forced him to shelter here and some prisoners escaped and joined Maltese pirates ashore. That night about 140 pirates attacked the ship, and knowing that he had no chance and not wanting the ship to fall into the hands of pirates, Captain Bisson blew up the ship up killing himself and most of the boarding pirates.
Memorial to Captain Bisson who blew up his ship killing many pirates
We had one of our most delicious meals ashore yet – an enormous platter of delicious local prawns and pasta washed down with some very nice Greek wine.
We also met a butcher with a distinct Australian accent, and it turned out he was born in Sydney to Greek parents who returned to the family home in Astypalea when he was 14, and he’s stayed there since.
When we weren't able to cruise during 2015 we've tried to keep our blog alive with relevant boating material. Soon we'll be able to return to blogging about real-time cruising adventures including the not-so-much-fun issues that invariably arise - watch this space!
Envoy is in Lefkas Marina, Greece and we are home in Auckland, New Zealand planning to return to Greece early next month to commence cruising by late April.
Destination 4: Astipalaia Island
Where is it?: In the Aegean Sea's Dodecanese Islands Group
How long is required to enjoy here?: Just a few days
Brief outline: A stunning butterfly-shaped island indented with numerous anchorages regarded as some of the best in Greece and well sheltered from the prevailing north-west Meltemi wind.
Astipalaia is shaped like a butterfly with many great anchorages
Must do: Take the bus to Skala overlooking Ormos Livadhi to explore the village and ruins of the 13th century Genoese castle, inhabited until the 1950s when an earthquake largely destroyed it.
15th century Genoese castle and Chora
We based ourselves in Maltezana Bay, so-named because it was formerly a lair for Maltese pirates preying on shipping plying the Aegean. Historically the island's inhabitants had an understanding and co-existed peacefully with the pirates. We met a Croatian couple on a boat similar to, but larger than Envoy. They are professional crew for the British lady owner.
Envoy and Sarah Jane anchored in Maltezana
Here is a memorial to a French Naval Officer, Captain Bisson, who in 1862 was sailing an under-crewed captured prize-ship, Panayoti, back to France with some captured pirates aboard. Bad weather forced him to shelter here and some prisoners escaped and joined Maltese pirates ashore. That night about 140 pirates attacked the ship, and knowing that he had no chance and not wanting the ship to fall into the hands of pirates, Captain Bisson blew up the ship up killing himself and most of the boarding pirates.
Memorial to Captain Bisson who blew up his ship killing many pirates
We had one of our most delicious meals ashore yet – an enormous platter of delicious local prawns and pasta washed down with some very nice Greek wine.
We also met a butcher with a distinct Australian accent, and it turned out he was born in Sydney to Greek parents who returned to the family home in Astypalea when he was 14, and he’s stayed there since.
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