Naxos 1

July 29, 2009 Naxos

6 a.m. and we're on our way again. Our destination is Naxos if the seas are kind to us.
Right out of the bay the seas are very heavy and we slog through with just half a main sail out. In an hour we notice an improved sea and finally we are in seas that are great for actual sailing. The winds are gentle for some time but as we reach the southern shores of Naxos we hit heavy winds and seas.
We have been told of a little anchorage close by so we decide to quit the challenge and go to safe harbour. It is secluded and there is a new quay where we can tie up. It is much quieter in here and hard to believe that gale winds are in the straight that we had hoped to sail.
So we are on Naxos but not at the town where they have so much to offer. We will see what tomorrow brings. The winds control our timing and destinations.
This end of the island is very quiet. A great beach, one single massive yacht anchored well out, a taverna on the hillside, and a few houses and farmyards in the far distance.
Once settled in and after lunch and nap, we snorkled in this very quiet dock. Dave found a 20 euro bill on the bottom so he can celebrate today.
We walked along a lovely beach and found another little chapel on the promnitory. The rock running out to the sea is marble, imagine!
We saw many sheep being herded home by the shepherd for the evening.
The man who runs a cantina/taverna right above the dock called to us that he has a restaurant. It is really only a 'hot-dog' stand but he can cook a great meal in it. We took pity on him and became his only customer for the day. He served us fabulous Greek salads (plenty each to make a meal). Jim and I ordered lamb and we saw him chop a shank up in little pieces and then he deep fried it – as he did a batch of potatoes (fries) for us all. It was all very tasty but it was also too much for the 4 of us to eat. His prices were city prices too! A great experience tho, and we sat by a wooden table on benches and viewed the great sea beyond.
Early next morning we saw the seas looked very calm so we got going by 7 a.m. and 5 hours later we were in Naxos city – our real destination for the next few days.