Making sail, we are leaving Navplion

We can't land at Monemvasia.

Last night we were under sail for Monemvasia, but at some time during the night it was decided that it was not going to be a viable stop.

The wind was still in the wrong quarter for this destination: the sea was too deep for the ship to drop anchor, and there was a risk that the wind might drive it onshore. This meant that the wind was coming from somewhere between north and east, I think.

So when we wake the ship is progressing northwards on its engines alone. There is a deep vibration running through the ship, very different from last night's experience. Destination is Navplion, a westwards facing port at the top of the Argolic Gulf.


Navplion is an ideal base for exploring the ancient, legendary towns such as Mycenae, Tiryns and Epidavros. But as this is not a scheduled stop, there is no opportunity to organise any such trips; anyway, it is a Sunday and there is plenty enough to do in the town and its fortresses.

The town's origins are ancient: it is a pleasant surprise to find that part of the Acropolis walls are of cyclopean masonry, these dating back to the Mycenean period (i e between 1,600 and 1,100 BC) . Among the town's much more recent rulers have been the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks.

In todays' photo can just be seen, on top of the high cliffs to the left, the walls of the impressive Palamidi fortress, built in the 17th century by the Venetians.


We spend a relaxing day exploring and enjoying the town, then return to the ship. The passengers are invited to take part in making sail, as we now have to head southwards. (The crew is perfectly capable of carrying out this task, but why not as for assistance from the available extra womanpower and manpower?)


Next landfall: Santorini, the birthplace of the legend of Atlantis.