Greek Island of Samos -October 1, 1997

Position: Greek Island of Samos -October 1, 1997

What great enjoyment to have two of our families with us to keep life going and get reacquainted. No lack of activity with making all the shore stops to find the antiquity and history of 1500 B.C. The island hopping is mostly 25 to 50 miles with north winds giving us lively sailing. A few days of heavy winds reaching 40 knots but many sheltered coves to anchor and great sailing. The islands are mountainous with deep water right to the shoreline making the captain search for anchorage.

Santorini was most spectacular. An island in which a volcanic eruption in 1400 B.C. sank more than 2/3 of the island leaving a crescent shape of land with walls more than 1500 feet high and water over 1,000 feet deep. We were fortunate to be able to dock at the cruise ship port where a tram or donkeys are the only means of reaching the city 1500 feet above. We all enjoyed a late night wine tasting evening on the port dock after all the tourists departed and only the boat crews remained. Rich Hooper and Captain Richard mastered the art of Greek dancing and gave a command performance.

All of the buildings are painted white with many churches having a bright blue dome. The businesses were upscale shops with many art studios. Beaches were promoted by the color of the rocks, (no sand) black, red and white. A recent archeology project is 3 acres under cover. The remains of a village buried by volcanic ash was found. Many of the buildings were preserved in their original form with wall paintings and pottery with grain and flower still in them. There are no remains of bodies or animals which indicates the people had time to leave the island before the volcano erupted.

The Hoopers left the boat in Santorini and took a ferry back to Athena for their return flight to the U.S. It was great having both the Hoopers and Campbells with us. June and I had to speed up our lives to keep up with the younger set but we managed and all had a good time. Our crew put many great dinners together on the boat and we enjoyed our shore ventures on motorbikes and jeeps. Cruising the Greek Islands together was a long time dream fulfilled. The Campbells decided to extend their stay for another week and to explore 4 more islands.

Astypalia was a quiet overnight anchorage. Kalyminos was the home of the sponge. For centuries the divers have retrieved sponges from depths of 70-80 meters and prepared them for the commercial market. Patmos is a religious island with a well-preserved Monastery founded in 1088 in honor of St. John, author of the Book of Revelation.

The Campbells left us after touring Samos and will finish their vacation in Germany, Austria and Central Europe. More Greek Islands with the Chandlers and Fifields joining us on Oct. 4th.

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