Off to Greece

17^th June 2011

We cast off at Datca at 9.30am to head to the Island of Symi in Greece. The customs agent had to collect our passports again and finalise our paperwork for leaving Turkey, so we couldn’t leave before all of that was completed. As we were leaving the berth we found that someone had laid their anchor chain over ours, so it took us a little time to free our anchor, before we headed out of the harbor.

We had decided to find a spot to anchor and have a swim before moving in to Greek waters, and found a nice little bay only 1 or 2nm around from Datca. “Xenia” joined us and “Pamina Blue” decided to go straight to Symi, to take advantage of the good breeze that was already up.

We swam for around an hour before setting sail for Symi, but first we had to change our flag, replacing the Turkey flag with the Greek flag.  By now the breeze had dropped out and we motored a good deal of the way. We had a bit of a navigation hiccup and overshot the harbor at Symi, but did get to see a beautiful bay called Pedi just past the main harbor entrance. We eventually arrived at around 2.15pm. Berthing at Symi was another stern in to the sea wall, laying an anchor  in quite deep ~ 10 m water on the way in. Most boats had several goes to get the anchor set, we were lucky enough to snag it first time. After yesterdays’ experience, getting back out could be exciting.

We were met by the harbor people, customs, and a customs agent who we gladly engaged to do our paperwork. Once again, our passports and ships papers disappeared off into the distance on the back of a motorbike with a promise to return between 7 and 8pm tonight with our papers complete.

We all set out on foot to explore the town, which is a very pretty town, and remarkably clean. Little fishing boats line the waterfront, and Tavernas, bars, hotels and shops etc are everywhere. It didn’t take us long to select a nice little Taverna on the waterfront for dinner and made a booking.

The beach in front of one of the top Hotels

Our boats berthed at Symi

A typical Taverna

It was then back to the boat for a rest and wait for our papers. In the meantime we were visited by the harbor people who wanted 5 Euro berthing charges, the electricity man 15 Euro, and the water man will visit us in the morning (500 litres for 5 euro). As promised the customs agent reappeared at around 8pm with all of our paperwork complete.

Paperwork completed, we all set out for dinner, and had a great meal overlooking the water.

Cassea's certainly not camera shy

Dinner at Taverna Aris

View from the restaurant

Roast lamb Greek style

Looks like a backpacker called a taxi