Guest Blogger: Authored by Riley Flynn
After our amazing dinner at George's Restaurant, Matt and Bill hung back to enjoy some local Ouzo while Laura and I headed back to the boat to enjoy some red wine and sister time.
We woke up refreshed and ready to hit the water, which was the perfect shade of blue. Along the way we soaked up the sun, sipped Rose, and took in the views of the Ionian.
Captain Matt is in his happy place because we raised the sails and cut the engine for four hours of perfect peaceful sailing. I laid on the trampoline with my book and realized there is nothing like hearing the water lap the hulls as we cut through the open water.
We arrived at Atokos Island which was breathtaking! We arrived in the aptly named Cliff Bay, with cliffs of limestone and cool turquoise water, the perfect spot for a dip and some lunch. It was a popular spot with about eight sailboats and two superyachts so finding the best place to anchor took a little extra time, but we nailed it. Fiona put together a yummy lunch of mini grilled cheese sandwiches and a salad with fresh Greek tomatoes and lettuce, buffalo mozzarella cheese and homemade dressing. YUM!
Swimming, SUP'ing, and snorkeling were our top priorities, especially since we were greeted by a bunch of cool blue and yellow fish when we arrived. Like an iceberg, the caves below the water are so much deeper and wider beneath the surface. Beauty is only skin deep, they say.
Looking with awe and wonder at the beauty around us, April takes it all in from the stern of the boat, while Bill takes it all in from below the surface. This place is truly amazing.
Captain Matt said the water was about thirty feet deep where we anchored, but with the sunshine and the light sea floor it shone the most beautiful light teal colour and was super clear to see iridescent fish, which we fed with cherry and olive pits.
We said goodbye to the light teal and turquoise waters and motored to Ithaki. The mercury-like waters wouldn't let us sail, but that Ionian Blue sea is simply captivating. I am feeling so inspired by every drop of blue I see, and Ionian Blue is the best shade of all! Blissful and tranquil every knot of the way.
To pass the time, some of us read, wrote in our travel journals, and played a fun card game of Captains Crew. The quiet water and views of the hills were so relaxing...siesta, anyone?
On the way into our bay for the evening we passed the tiniest little Greek church with the most perfect blue door and striped flagpole. My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Don't think so...maybe My Teeny Tiny Greek Wedding...at most.
Captain Matt docked the boat seamlessly (as usual) in Vathi, the most quaint picturesque town we've seen, and we got ready for dinner. Laura and Matt's friend Susanne met us with her two kids, Penelope and Olympia (Fiona's friend) since they summer here in Vathi. Because Susanne is a local, she had the perfect restaurant recommendation, Porto, and chose all of the best apps...grilled feta, saganaki, octopus, and anchovies. Our mains consisted of Porto's fresh daily catch - seabream, red snapper, and a blue skinned fish that we can't recall the name of but loved.
Fresh food and cold wine, mixed with friends and family next to the sea and a beautiful sunset are the real recipe for a perfect evening in Greece.
While we indulged, we set the kids up at their own table so they could mix and mingle. Some serious, silly, and smiling faces sum up their time in Vathi, followed by the best gelato in all of Greece.
I'll miss this view, but I'll never forget Ionian Blue.
xo Riley
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