Siga, Siga … Sailing the Greek Islands

The next morning, we took a ferry to Paxi and met our ship’s captain, Tristram, and first mate, chef Paolo. They introduced us to The Elentari, our sailboat – a beautiful wooden ship, completely custom built by the Tristram’s father for his ’round the world (RTW) adventures. The boat had all we needed for a week long stay, including comfortable accommodations, daily breakfast and lunch and all the wine and beer you could drink, which tended to be quite a lot at times. Dinner was not included, but we discovered that we would dock each night in a new port just after sunset on the Ionian Sea where we would have no trouble finding a friendly local taverna.

taking a swim in the Ionian Sea...

That day began a life-changing adventure sailing the Greek Isles. Along our travels, we would sail from island to island – stopping at Anti-Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, and Keflonia. The route depended on the weather, the winds, and honestly how hung-over we were from the previous night. We had a few long journeys between islands, sailing fast at speeds of ten knots, bemused with the occasional school of dolphins swimming in our wake. When the winds proved difficult, we took short trips, tacking along the way with Captain teaching those willing how to really sail.

For others, such as myself, I just simply relaxed on the deck, enjoyed the scenery and worked on my tan drink in hand.

I did love the Mythos beer

Great food, friends and sailing aside, it was the island scenery that really made the trip. Every moment we were met with breath taking views of clear blue waters matched against steep cliffs covered with lush vegetation. We anchored off white sand beaches, swimming or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, reading or napping in the ship’s hammock, playing the Greek game of backgammon, and of course consuming Mythos, the local beer.

On one particular day, I had just returned to the boat from a coastline exploration. Suddenly out of nowhere, a tourist boat descended on the cave I had just spent a 1⁄2 hour exploring. All the tourists jumped into the water and splashed around before a loud horn sounded signaling them to return to the boat. The once tranquil cave where I had pondered my escape from the grips of corporate America became a frenzy of tourist activity.

As the tourist boat left, it powered rather close to the Elentari. I noticed many of the passengers where still taking photographs. However, the pictures were not of the cave nor of the landscape, but of the Elentari. At that moment it was evident that I had chosen the proper way to appreciate this part of the world. Sailing the Greek islands is a once in a lifetime trip.

finding some Craig time on one of the islands

They say that a trip to Greece changes your life. “They” are right. The change inspired for me was finally taking a sabbatical from the corporate world to experience the real world. Now two-thirds through (when published in 2005) with my adventures, I hope to write timely pieces for you, the reader to inspire your own life-changing adventures.