Day 6 - Paxos cruise

At 10-00 am it was a three minute walk down to the port and onto the lovely cruise boat Vicky F II. We headed off around the fortress headland, did a sweep along the big beach and then set the radar for Anti Paxos and Paxos. In terms of geography the area can be described as follows:

Before setting off on the good ship Vicky F, in the port of Parga

The island group off the west coast of Greece, stretches south from the Albanian coast to the southern tip of the Peloponnese, and is often called Heptanissia ("Seven Islands"). The islands are Corfu, Kefallonia, Zakinthos, Lefkada, Ithaka, Kythera and Paxos. 

Paxos is about 20 Ks from Parga and is the smallest of the seven islands. It has about 3,000 people but according to some travel experts ranks among the top 20 islands in the world. The three main port/marina areas of Gaios, Lakka and Longgos were natural shelters and looked idyllic with the tavernas and typical Greek houses surrounding them.

The Kev and Dick swapping ole rugby lies... oops, I meant stories!

On our trip to Paxos we took a detour and anchored at Anti Paxos, a much smaller nearby island where most dived overboard for a refreshing bit of aquatic exercise in the most amazing turquoise sea before utilising the boat’s bar service.

When Dick pointed Anthony out in his budgie smugglers to Cynthia hesaid, “Looks like a Greek God!” She said, “More like a goddam Greek!”

Anne swimming off Ante-Paxos

On the short journey across to Paxos our boat went right up to the entrance of some seaside caves and soon afterwards attracted a playful school of dolphins (who had arrived on cue as we had ordered).

The beautiful water of Ante-Paxos

The beautiful little port of Lakka on Paxos

We were met at the port by Yianna who took us to our bus which took us on a very quick tour of the island taking in the other ports of Lakka and Longgos.  Then back to Gaios where we were able to partake of another cheap but healthy lunch (you can’t knock the Greek pizzas) we tried to leave the port but, would you believe, our anchor chain became entangled in that of a rogue yacht bearing an Australian boxing kangaroo – most embarrassing. Kevin who had assisted in helping a smaller boat untie was of no use in this much more complex nautical operation. 

The altercation with the Boxing Kangaroo flying yacht 

We had a quiet trip back discussing the deepwater ink-blue of the Mediterranean and the aqua beach waters while discussing which waterside restaurant we would choose tonight. Due to Margaret’s “accident” it was that of George’s daughter’s which is called Sodia.

And we can report that the quality, service, food, ambience were all fantastic – most of the group ended up there and we were served by a pommie waiter who returned our cheek with good humour.  They gave us a complimentary ouzo on arrival much to Jan’s delight as she scooped the pool, drinking the ouzo of those that didn’t want their’s!  We then wended our way back, some calling in for last minute shopping on the way back.

Another brilliant day in brilliant weather.