Piraeus

Piraeus

Rested in the morning after breakfast at the hotel, then taxied to Plateia Alexandras in Marina Zea at Piraeus.  We arrived at our yacht, the Harmony V early, but they took our luggage aboard anyway and suggested a nearby restaurant for lunch.  Then they sailed away!  Apparently they had some engine tests to perform.  Bemused, we repaired to the Bubalu Restaurant for a light lunch of Greek salad and watched the boat go through its paces offshore in a nice breeze under a sunny 26C sky.

Finally at 2PM, we boarded, gave all our info to the reception committee and were led to our cabin where our luggage soon appeared.  The Harmony V is the newest yacht in their fleet, measuring 183 feet and possessing 25 cabins on two decks.  We’ve been upgraded to the upper deck with a nice big porthole.  WiFi is only available in the main lounge so reportage and e-mail checking may be spotty.

Because of the Meltemi (a strong off-shore wind from the North) which has been raging for a week with winds of 30 knots,  the captain has decided to spend the first night in the tiny port of the island of Aigina, home of the world’s best pistachios, instead of the more exposed mooring at the island of Ydra.  We’ll have supper here and maybe a wander after supper, then tomorrow head off to Napflios.  It’s all good.

Road sign I almost understood

Coastline near Marina Zea

Our yacht, Harmony V

Lunch beside the Aegean