Ithaka, Ionian Islands, Greece
After a much calmer than anticipated night’s sailing in the Gulf of Korinth and the southern Ionian Sea, we arrived this morning at the lovely island of Ithaka. On approach to the small port town of Vathí, we admired a waterfront lined with pastel colored Neo-classical buildings, and a profusion of brightly colored bougainvillea and geraniums. After a leisurely breakfast, we departed for a driving tour of the island, ascending from the port to a monastery on the island’s rugged summit. As our drivers maneuvered the hairpin switchbacks, we marveled at the rugged limestone crags and the vistas unfolding beneath us. Pink rockroses and yellow Jerusalem sage, orange poppies and purple thistle added flashes of color to the rich green phrygana vegetation.
Arriving at Katharon monastery, we learned from our guides about the Orthodox, or Eastern, church, and some of the differences between it and the Catholic, or Western, church. Entering the small chapel, we admired the icons and votive offerings and some lit candles in prayer for loved ones. We then strolled up the hill to the very summit, for a broad vista of the entire island, including the deeply indented bay in which our ship was moored. We returned to the buses for the drive down to the village of Stavros, where we wandered in search of the perfect photo, or sat and enjoyed a coffee with friends. By midday, we were back in the port and ready for lunch.
With the wind picking up throughout the morning and early afternoon, we opted to remain in port and enjoy a bit more of the island’s village life. Shopping, strolling, reading and napping were on the agenda for most of us, but an intrepid few went for power walks around the bay, in order to swim from a lovely beach. A late afternoon talk by National Geographic Expert Grace Fielder provided an excellent overview of the remainder of our voyage, reminding us of the creative ways maps can be used to shape perception.
On this, our final night in Greece, our Hotel Staff prepared a fabulous feast for us – starting with traditional Greek mezedes and ouzo, and continuing with an embarrassing abundance of Greek salads and hot dishes. Dessert and dancing rounded out the festive evening, before we tucked in for our night’s navigation toward Albania.
