Morning. The engines are started and warmed up. I head to the marina office and ask for assistance in leaving—our yacht is docked in a spot where we need to pull the bow away to depart safely. There’s no bow thruster onboard yet—it’s one of the most essential upgrades on our list. The wiring is already prepared, but installing it would require lifting the yacht out of the water, which is both complicated and expensive. With the wind pushing us against the dock, simply casting off and moving away isn’t an option. We wait in full “battle readiness,” sipping tea and coffee, relaxing.
Unfortunately, it took longer than expected. By the time we’re ready, it’s almost noon. But what a departure it was—two motorboats, one at the bow and one at the stern, helped pull us away from the dock, guiding us past obstacles ahead and behind, and wished us a safe journey.
Open sea! What could be more beautiful? We set course due south, raise all three sails, shut off the engines, and sail in complete silence. Life is good. The island of Samos slowly fades into the mist behind us. Ahead lies our Greek island tour!
By agreement, we want to sail as far south as possible and find a suitable anchorage there. The prevailing wind today is from the north, as it is almost every day in the Aegean Sea. Our initial plan is to reach Kos in a couple of days and then return at a more relaxed pace, likely tacking against the wind. Or, depending on the time and conditions, using the engines.
We made good progress. As dusk fell—luck seems to always have me anchoring or entering a marina at sunset—we found a perfect bay on the southern coast of Lipsi. It’s quiet and safe here.
Dinner was prepared by my British friend—turns out he’s quite the expert in the kitchen. Though his profession is in medicine—he’s a lecturer and preparing to defend his PhD dissertation.
Tonight, we can sleep peacefully. The wind is favorable, blowing from the north, keeping us away from the shore, with plenty of space around us.
