The journey to Folegandros reminded us that the Aegean doesn’t always play nicely. With steady winds of 20-25 knots, gusts over 30, and 4-6 foot seas, it turned into one of our rougher passages of the summer. KORA handled it beautifully, although a few stomachs weren’t quite as enthusiastic.
Poor Chelsea donated her lunch to Poseidon, but true to form, she bounced back remarkably quickly. Before long she was happily munching on chips and asking who was up for a game of cards. Now that’s resilience!
By early afternoon we dropped anchor in a gorgeous little bay with crystal-clear water called Agkali Bay. The plan had been to swim then head to land to explore…
Instead, the crew split into two very different camps: Steve and Catherine chose adventure. The remaining four chose naps.
Armed with Greece’s incredibly convenient bus system, Steve and Catherine headed to Folegandros’ Chora, often regarded as one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades. They wandered its whitewashed laneways, stopped for drinks, and hiked up to the hilltop Church of Panagia, where sweeping views stretched across the island and out over the Aegean. The photos speak for themselves!
Meanwhile, back aboard KORA… Our “short nap” turned into something a little more… committed. We obviously were quite exhausted from all of our amazing adventures this past week! Eventually we resurfaced feeling wonderfully refreshed, settled into a fiercely competitive card game (with Uncle Doug finally joining in), watched a little TV, and got ready for dinner.
Steve and Catherine returned to collect us in the dinghy, and we headed ashore for another fantastic Greek feast featuring grilled shrimp, tender lamb chops, and plenty of side dishes shared around the table.
Back aboard KORA, the evening ended with music, a little dancing, and, in a slightly covert operation, Karen, Oscar, and Chelsea sneaking in some ice creams while the others were showering. With the lights of Folegandros dancing across the water beside us, it was one of those simple moments that reminds you just how special life aboard can be.
After seeing Steve and Catherine’s photos later that night, however, one thing became abundantly clear. Next time the choice is explore or nap….the nap can definitely wait. 😉
