Day 2
Ringo, the marina dog, is up and about early supervising the activity on and off the docked boats. Our captain Costas advises that the seas are rough so we will be waiting until afternoon to set sail, such is the way with the ocean - the weather will dictate our journey for the coming days, we can only go where the wind blows. With plenty of time for breakfast, we enjoy fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, local bread and pastries in the sunshine that on average graces Greece 300 days of the year.
Setting out into the Cyclades we are met with the energy of the Aegean, Rosemary is put to the test as the wind whips us along at 10 knots, we journey 25 miles over 5 hours. The ‘white sea’ is how the Aegean was known to the pirates of ancient Greece, a body of water known for its permanent white wash. With our sea legs failing us on our first journey, Costas single handedly glides us into the picture perfect marina on the island of Antiparos. Our first of many experiences of island marinas and the process of anchoring in which every captain in site gets involved leaves us wide eyed and filled with fascination. A celebratory rum is in order for our safe arrival and successful docking.
The main pedestrian street of Antiparos is bustling with Greek tourists, who look to be on a local adaption of the Italian passeggiata - out in their best to see and be seen. We bustle out into the crowds and wind around the shoreline to a taverna with octopus drying on a barbed wire fence.
There is a commotion by the water as the proprietor casually spears some squid near the shore, and with that there was dinner.