After we sailed around from Athens, (Porto Rafti), we made a pit stop in Lavrion, and were very glad to see the brown cloud of Athens disappear in the distance. It was amazing how far into the ocean you could see the smog, it was strung almost horizon to horizon, and I read the smog situation in Athens is among the worst in the world. It is compares to L.A., and in fact the geography of Athens is similar in that it seems to trap the smog in its valley.
We headed to an island ‘close’ to Athens, called Aegina, and it was a very quaint little village. There they had big playgrounds next to the beach and cool little backstreets. We had only planned to stay for one day, but ended up staying through the weekend and finally left Monday. The harbor where we anchored, was busy all weekend with people from Athens coming and going for the day. The streets were more narrow that other towns and only added to the cool back alleys for us to explore. Finally on Monday, we headed West toward the canal. We had terrible weather and what was supposed to be a mild breeze, wound up to be almost 20 knots in our face most of the day. This made for some choppy seas and most of the day was pretty rolly with Mehari pitching over the waves. The girls were not amused and as usual when it gets rough, they find a corner somewhere and sleep through it. That left Rachel and I taking turns making our way towards the canal.
We arrived at around 1800 and with some credit card issues, (someone has hacked our card, very long story), I ended up needing to go to town and find some cash to pay the transit fees. It ended up even more complicated and I needed to wait for the bank to open the next day. So, we anchored in a bay next to the entrance of the canal, reserved for derelicks, losers and transients who are waiting to go through the canal……just kidding. It was actually a very calm bay and it worked out great. The next day, when I went back to town to get the money, the girls spent most of the time swimming and trying to stay cool. The weather has turned very hot and if there is no breeze or you’re not moving, swimming is the best way to cool off. Most of us spend most of the time on the boat in our bathing suits, and make frequent trips in the water.
So, after a one day delay, we made it through the canal. It was a very cool experience! A little history: The area of land connects the Adriatic sea with the Agean Sea, and taking the canal saves some 180nm from going around the bottom of Greece through the Peloponnisos Islands. The canal was first started by Emperor Nero in 80 AD, using slave labor of 600 Jews captured from Jerusalem. However, after they barely started, a war in Asia diverted their attentions and they stopped work, and was put on hold for almost 2000 years. The canal is fairly new, only completed by French and Greek teams in the late 1800’s.
For today……it’s used to save 180 Nm from sailing around the point at the bottom of Greece and for sailors, it’s just a pretty epic thing to see and do!!
Lily’s comment about the whole thing was: “No offense, but I’m really not sure what’s so great about this thing?!”….……..none taken.
~Hems
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