Yachting Around the Greek Ionian Islands

If the thought of doing this hasn't crossed your mind yet then start researching into it now!! This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had and even though it happened ages ago, I thought I would share it with you guys in the hope of tempting you out there!

Before I lull you into a sense of security with you thinking yachts and luxury, I would like to take this moment to let you know that this was a uni trip I took with the crazier of my friends, so yachts (flotillas) yes - luxury - not so much. However being poor made this trip just a little bit more interesting, and its amazing what can happen when living on a diet of biscuits and ouzo.

This was my first time to Greece, and since then I haven't really had the opportunity to return (don't worry though - I fully intend to go back) and while my Greek isn't perfect (non-existent) the scenery and colours which make up the place are amazing.

While most days were spent sailing from one island to the next and the nights drinking ourselves to death in some little bar or other, there was a little bit of culture thrown in there from time to time. Most notably when a couple of my mates and I decided to trek up one side of the Island looking for some old ruins. Unfortunately we somehow managed to completely miss them, but rather than turn back, out adventurous side got the better of us and we decided to embark on what turned out to be a two hour trek around the side of the island without a map or really any clue where we were going.

The one thing we did find on our trek 

Hours later we were rewarded by coming across a local beach (top picture and below). Having run into the water Baywatch style we soon realised that we were the only tourists there which somehow made the last few hours worth every minute.

At some point in our beach bliss we realised that we had actually left the boat without phones or any form of communication with the rest of the bunch....oops! But we got sidetracked again when we stopped at a little restaurant 5 mins from the beach where the owner gave us some water and then brought out some old books with photographs of what the island used to look like before the tourists came! I always think that its moments like this which make a trip worth going on - the locals and their inside knowledge. Finally realising that we had to get back, lest the others send out a search party we asked for directions only to be told that town centre was 20 minutes downhill. We did go back to his restaurant for dinner though.

On of the best things about doing a trip like this, apart from lying on deck pretending to be a movie star, is being able to just jump off the boat where ever it is and at whatever time you want. Although make sure you don't have the type of crew who as soon as you are in the water, lift anchor and sail away as quickly as possible (yep I'm talking to you guys).

The rest of the holiday was spend sightseeing and swimming, sailing and sunbathing. I am not sure if any trip back to Greece will be able to live up to this one, each island was slightly different form the others and each had its only story (for example the Island of Ithaca where it is said the young boy Icarus flew to high and into the sun according to Greek mythology, it was also apparently the home to Odysseus). It was a fantastic trip and even though we may have slightly annoyed the other boats by blaring out the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack while we came into the docks, I would do it all over again!

I will definitely come back here one day and hopefully it wont be too long till I get back, but then again there is so much more of the world to see beforehand, so I guess I will just have to see where life takes me.

x
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