S2.5 - Battling Winds and Finding Magic: April Adventures - Part 3
April 22: Anchors and Rocky Bottoms
Our day started earlier than planned, thanks to the winds that had shifted in the early hours, pushing us dangerously close to the rocks at Porto Kagio. By 5:30 AM, we were struggling with a stubborn anchor wedged into the rocky seabed. After a bit of a wrestling match, we finally freed ourselves and set sail toward Pylos.
Arriving at Navarino Bay was a sight for sore eyes
Towering rock formations greeted us as we sailed by, but neither of us could fully enjoy it. The relentless wind had worn us down, and by the time we anchored on the North end of Navarino Bay, we were too drained to do much else but rest. It was a day for recovery.
April 23: Winds, Wins, and Wild Weather
The wind howled all night, shaking the boat as if to remind us who was in charge. At 5:00 AM, we were up to catch the NHL First Round game - Oil against the Kings – and yes, we won! But the victory didn’t lift our spirits for long. The relentless winds and that annoying "thug-thug-thug" noise on the bow were driving Ryan crazy. It turned out the main halyard had wrapped around the masthead light, and Ryan, ever the problem-solver, braved 45-knot gusts to climb the mast and untangle the mess.
Just when we thought we were safe and snug back inside, another loud clunk had us running outside again. This time, the wind had blown our passerelle (which is quite heavy) up against the safety lines! By now, the sandstorm was so intense that the bay’s entrance and even the marina were barely visible. It felt like we were trapped in the Sahara.
Sand Storm
This is not a cloudy day… just can’t see through the blowing sand.
As the winds began to shift near sunset, we moved to a better spot at the northwestern end of Navarino Bay. Relief was short-lived, though, as the winds kept all of us (and the other four cats anchored nearby) on our toes.
April 24: A Sandstorm Aftermath
By morning, Lucky Enough looked like it had weathered a storm in a desert – and in a way, it had. Sand caked the entire boat, making it nearly unrecognizable. Ryan, ever the clean freak, wasted no time grabbing the pressure washer and attacking the grime. He joked that our mast now resembled a snow-packed telephone pole back home.
In the afternoon, we ventured ashore to Gialova Beach for a well-deserved break. The little beach town was perfect for wandering around, with its abundance of restaurants and shops. A cold beer and an early dinner later, we were back aboard, wondering if we’d ever get a calm day on the water. For now, it was movie night – the patio was too chilly and windy to enjoy.
April 25: More Winds, More Work
Another 5:30 AM wake-up call for Game 2 of the NHL playoffs (lost in overtime, ouch). We watched the weather closely, bracing for yet another squall. Fortunately, it only brought light rain—just enough to rinse off some of the sand still clinging to the sails.
The wind had us spinning in circles, literally. For the first time, our Anchor Pro App showed us doing a complete 360 around our anchor.
We joined the other cats in moving to the west side of the bay called Sfaktiria, and finally found a much calmer spot to rest. That night, we both slept like rocks.
Sfaktiria Anchorage
April 26: A Picture-Perfect Day
After days of battling the wind, we woke to a calm, beautiful day in Pylos. It was so still and warm that we nearly cried with joy. The quiet town was practically deserted, which made our errand run (fueling up, provisioning, and trash disposal) a breeze. The local marine store owner even treated us to cappuccinos!
The day passed blissfully with lunch, a little shopping, and no anchor alarms to keep us on edge. It felt like we’d earned this respite, though by evening the winds picked up again. Still, with our boat securely tied to the dock, we slept soundly.
April 27: Fairytale Castles and Patio Wine
Game 3—another win! The morning was calm and beautiful again.
Leaving Pylos
I was able to capture the 4 spots we anchored over the past few nights at Navarino Bay.
Fairytale Castle
After a relaxed breakfast, we set out to sail to our next marina.
We snapped some great pictures as we passed Fairytale Castle on the shore.
Even though we still had a headwind and current working against us, the day felt like a win.
Arriving at Kyparissia Port
By 6 PM, we docked at Kyparissia Port, where the bells of the “turtle church” rang out on the hour.
That evening, we finally enjoyed our first patio wine night on the boat, basking in the calm after a long week.
April 28: Med Mooring Like Pros
Sailing along the lush, green coastline to Katakolo was a refreshing change from the rocky cliffs we’d grown used to. Arriving at Katakolo Marina, we sailed by a Tall Ship anchored just outside of the marina, and executed our first Med mooring with anchor perfectly, despite 16-knot winds and no dockhand assistance! Ya Us!!
Tall Ship: A traditionally-rigged sailing vessel
By sunset, we were surrounded by new friends: cruisers from the UK in their monohull “Songbird”, France, the Netherlands in a same size cat called “Puchi”, and what were to become dear friends from Mont Tremblant, Quebec - Diane and Mark in their monohull “Unevie”. We enjoyed a lively evening of cocktails and conversation, savoring the camaraderie that only sailors know.
April 29-30: A Taste of Paradise
After watching another playoff win (1-0 in Game 4!), we set out for Jason’s Bite in Zakynthos which becomes a National Park on May 1st and anchoring is forbidden - “…, it hosts one of the most important sea turtle nesting beaches in the Mediterranean. The nesting habitat in the bay comprises six discrete beaches: Gerakas, Daphni, Sekania, Kalamaki, E.” We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend the night as the bay was a stunning sight.
We enjoyed a peaceful afternoon soaking in the sun on our patio, with just a couple of boats anchored nearby.
The next day, we explored the Keri Caves, debating whether to stay anchored amid the rocks or move on. A wise decision had us pulling anchor and setting off for Magic Cave. The spot was nothing short of magical, with its secluded beauty and tranquility—until the swells hit that night, disrupting our sleep yet again.