Port Kheli

Aug 9/09 Porto Kheli

We left Hydra at 10 a.m. and had a lovely sail to Port Kheli on the Peloponnes. We were again able to have the dodger down and let the soft breezes keep us cool as we sailed for 3 hours to this anchorage.

This is definitely a port town, so many boats in the harbour, some small ferries come and go and there are lots of small skiffs too. We saw an amazingly long newish sailboat as we motored into the bay. It flew a British flag. Maybe one of our princes was on board??

There is a large Greek Orthodox church near the harbour entrance. Jim and I walked over there because we heard the droning of evening songs being sung, probably by the priest. It was a beautiful church inside and people were coming and going from the service. It seems like some come for the entire service, others just drop in, cross themselves three times, kiss an icon, and then leave. At the 3 outside doors small groups of older women stood and listened to the service with simple devotion.
I still like that young and old take time for their unchanged traditions, the rites, and just their awareness of God in their life.

We walked part of the bay promanade and again enjoyed the families. Young and old were out for the evening. No one rushed. No one shouted. A young couple sat at a cafe table, playing a game of backgammon. We often see older people doing that. Everything seems gentle and simple.We stopped for a frappe and Jim had a yummy chocolate and orange mousse dessert. We were given a little bowl of pistachios to nibble on as well.

We stopped at a fruit truck and bought 3 euros of tomatoes. They didn't speak much English but we managed fine.

We were back to the boat by 10 pm but the evening activities ashore will go on until the early morning hours.