S2.2 - Adventures in the Cyclades Begins
March 22-28: Quick Trip to Les Sables D’Olonne, France & New Crew Arrives
We had a whirlwind trip back to Les Sables D’Olonne for a few meetings with Privilege about the build of our 650 - Lucky Stars, but before we knew it, we were back in Greece to prepare for the arrival of our new American crew members, Emma and Charlie. Both are free-diving enthusiasts with a taste for adventure—perfect companions for this leg of the journey!
Meet Charlie and Emma
Once they arrived, we wasted no time teaching them our favorite card games, Casino and Cribbage. It wasn’t all fun and games, though. Between provisioning the boat and tackling the final squawk fixes, we were busy ensuring everything was in shipshape for our departure.
March 29: Happy Birthday to Me!
Today, we kicked off our much-anticipated exploration of the Cyclades! For those unfamiliar, the Cyclades are an iconic island group in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece, known for their crystal waters and charming white-washed buildings. With around 220 islands to choose from, we’re excited to see how many we’ll visit!
Despite the reputation of the Cyclades for their strong winds (ideal for seasoned sailors), today’s weather was calm—too calm for sailing, actually. But it couldn’t have been a better day to celebrate my birthday! The sun was shining, dolphins danced around the boat, and the company was top-notch. Thanks to Ryan’s planning, it was a truly special day.
This scene never gets old.
The best part? My traditional birthday swim, which doubled as our first swim of the season! Everyone, including Emma and Charlie, took the plunge. Our anchorage at Ormos Fikiadha on Kythnos Island, was a spot known for its unique beach, Paralia Kalóna. This stunning strip of golden sand connects the main island to an islet, with turquoise waters on both sides—a perfect backdrop for a gorgeous sunset.
Ormos Fikiadha on Kythnos Island,
March 30: Cold Winds and Hot Sun
Today was another beautiful day, though the wind brought a bit of chill. Luckily, the sun kept us warm on deck. We spent the day savoring home-cooked meals and diving into the ocean. Emma, Charlie, and Ryan all took their first dive off the dolphin seats at the bow of the boat, with Charlie, our resident free diver, diving down to check the anchor. We even shared our first round of vodka cranberries on deck—cheers to new adventures!
To top it off, we took our first dinghy ride of the season to a nearby bay, Paralia Apokrousi. There’s something magical about bouncing across the water to explore hidden gems in these islands.
March 31: Easter Adventures & First Stern-to Mooring in Loutra Bay
Happy Easter from Lucky Enough! Today was special for more reasons than one—this was our first official stern-to mooring using lines astern. This maneuver involves dropping anchor, reversing toward the shore, and securing the floating stern lines to rocks or tree stumps on land, preventing the boat from swingning. Ryan, always the quick learner, observed a neighboring boat’s technique first, and then scoped out the shoreline with our trusty dinghy, Ugh, to find the best rocks for tying off.
With Ryan at the helm, Emma handling the anchor, and Charlie and I manning the lines on shore, we pulled off the mooring like pros. Though I’ll admit, my novice dinghy skills were truly tested! Trying to avoid jagged rocks and not send Charlie flying into the water was a bit nerve-wracking. After a bit of trial and error, we secured both the port and starboard lines, marking our first success at stern-to mooring!
Stern-to mooring helps to hold Lucky Enough in place. No swinging!
Once everything was secure, Emma, Charlie, and Ryan did a snorkel run to double-check the anchor. The water was chilly, but the sun was out in full force, so we warmed up while watching helicopters fly in and out—likely bringing guests to the nearby (unassuming) restaurant.
Konstantinos Restaurant: Great service, ideal location with wooden tables next to the sea
If the helicopters were any indication, the food had to be amazing, so we headed ashore for a fantastic seafood dinner.
Afterward, we enjoyed a peaceful sunset dinghy ride back to the boat and called it an early night.
Wrapping Up
These last few days have been a whirlwind of new crew members, birthdays, and firsts. From teaching Emma and Charlie the ropes (literally) to mastering stern-to mooring, every day feels like a new adventure. We’re excited to see what the rest of our journey through the Cyclades brings!
Stay tuned as we continue exploring these beautiful Greek islands!