Approaching Methoni, with the castle (once a fortified town) to the left and the octagonal Bourtzi fort used as a prison by the Turks to the right.
Bourtzi fort in front, castle behind
View of fort and castle from Quicksilver at anchor.
Bill took a trip in the dinghy to test the engine.
Taken from the dinghy as we went ashore.
Hibiscus trees with painted trunks line the streets
An unexplained ruin
Church with speakers in the belfry
Fromthe anchorage, looking towards the northern shore. We ate ate the restaurant at the right.
And looking back at Quicksilver at anchor (to right of pier)
This viaduct (newer than most of the castle) is now the entrance to the castle
Q. at anchor, from the castle at Methoni
Looking over the former town inside the castle walls. Th etown was destroyed deliberately because of disease.
The wildflowers in the castle are impressive
Causeway to Bourtzi fort.
Turkish baths (ruins) and wild allium inside Methoni castle, which was a fortified town.
Bill filling water jar at Methoni, at tap near fort
Another view of the Bourtzi fort, past castle walls
Approaching Porto Kayio. To the ancient Greeks this was the entrance to the underworld, the southern tip of mainland Greece. To the British this is Cape Matapan. Either way, it is known for being gusty.
It was to get yet gustier in the few miles between here and the harbour.
It was a relief to get into the bay. The wind still came down the hills in gusts, but without waves.
Porto Kayio is a bay almost surrounded by land. We anchored and were the only visiting boat.
The village is small, but attracts some daytrippers for its spectacular views.
This van had stopped to admire the view.
Evening
Next morning
Leaving Porto Kayio
Kapsali is in an attractive bay at the southern tip of Kithira, an island between the mainland and Crete
Across from the port is yet another fort.
The town is a small resort
With a beach and room for a few boats to moor at the town quay. Quicksilver has the tallest mast.
The main town (chora) of Kithira is up the hill past the fort.
Chapels clinging to the steep hillside above the town
From across the harbour.
An evening walk up the hill
Dry vegetation
And more of the beautiful dry plants
Under spinnaker, heading for Crete
