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Our 51-foot Beneteau - the Idylle , turned out to be a handsome white and blue sailing yacht with five streamlined cabins, 5 tiny bathrooms, as well as a galley and saloon, capable of sleeping for five persons. Our skipper, Georgios, Greece ,shipped the Columbus route, joined us in Porto Marmaras, and after dealing with all of the administrative formalities, stocking up on food supplies, and getting to know the other crew members, we were off! Our crew numbered three Europeans , Jan-Pieter, Tony, Alexander and one American , Troy. We met first time on the boat - this kind of encounter can pose short-term personality challenges or lead to lifelong friendships.
And so our 3 day adventure began. As our comfort level with the water and the boat increased, our land-based habits wore off. Clothing became very simple.
The pleasures of a sailing holiday at sea are innumerable: the sensation of the warm wind and salty spray on your skin as the boat races through the water; the freedom to move from one place to another, discovering uncharted beauty as you go; the pleasure of drinks on board at sunset, before you walk onto "terra firma" for dinner in a taverna; coming back after dinner and gazing at a star-filled sky with galaxies that you have never seen before; and being gently rocked to sleep by the waves lapping at the boat, all your cares left behind on shore. The first night was spent at the dock in a small nature harbour were the german army hide their submarines in the II WorldWar.
Dinner was served in a taverna literally on the beach, the tables leaning precariously toward the water.
The next day, we cast off, with great excitement and with excellent winds, and sailed, for some three hours, to the first finger of Halkidike . The pleasure of moving with the wind on the water was mesmerizing, bringing about a sense of perfect disconnect from the "real" world. A cloudless blue sky, a deep blue sea, the occasional boat passing by, islands sighted in the haze “ all cast a magic spell on the body and the mind...
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