Back to the Greek Islands

We are on our way to Nisos Leros. We were sailing at 6.5 knots until the winds died, now motoring along. Leros was the base for Italian naval operations in WWII. They were on the other side - Mussolini. After the war it became a "Devils Island" for prisoners and mental patients. Some of the asylums still stand today. In Greece it is still the "crazy island" more on lore than fact. Now it is supposed to be a flower covered gem, we'll see.

Here's the town of Pandeli coming into view.

We will end up to the port side of the two wooden ketches 2 masted boats. (Right side in this photo)

We drop anchor first, then back up to the rocks and I dive in with a stern line to hold us in. Meanwhile, Jenée controls Jungle with a little reverse in concert with the bow thruster to keep the boat positioned properly. Nice work by the Admiral.

Bow looks good. I know, I know, the teak needs a new varnish job. It's on my list.

The close up of Pandeli is quite nice.

That was hot work. Time to take a dip and cool off. I was already pretty damn cool, but enough about me.

Taking a closer look at the town it's even better. Check out the fort at the top.

Turns out to be a fortress built in the 12th century on top of St. John's Basillica. We'll scope it out before we leave Leros.

For now we'll check out the local cafe for Internet and check mail.

Afterwards we have dinner and cocktails on board. Happy times again.

The next day we rent a scooter to check this place out. Turns out to be very picturesque.

See my lime green scooter? I bet i got the hottest scooter on the island! Yassass!

This is the backside of the St. Johns castle/fort. Check out the road up. We'll be on it tomorrow.

For now we'll have to suffer through our tour of Leros. Quaint and picturesque are two apt descriptors.

Very scenic with more trees than we've seen so far.

Here's a view over our anchorage. Jenée spotted this hillside taverna called Demiti's. We had to go for lunch.

Turns out to be another great choice by my darling bride. We have the Demitri Salad in front of us, served by Demitri himself. A kind of Greek chopped salad with pomegranate on top with a mustard vinegarette dressing. Fresh swordfish to accompany, maybe a little house white wine and we are loving it.

After lunch, we putt over to the capital town of Lakki. This is one of the old insane asylum buildings. Looks the part.

Still plenty of pretty countryside to see - very untouched.

Here's something interesting. This is the remains of the Italian Naval Base from WWII. Supposedly Mussolini contacted the PM of Greece and said lets join forces. The PM sent a one word response "Ochi" which is "No". So Italy invades, starts losing, Germany comes in until 1944. Island comes back to the Greeks. However, it is left with an Italian feel in the architecture. Ahhh, history.

Doesn't detract from the natural beauty here.

Or here.

The beauty never ends.

Looking back over the bay into Lakki, you can see our bay, Pandeli, over the hills.

We are now at the western most point of Lesos.

As we watch this sailboat come to port, we have also been to the north and eastern points.

Finally the southern point looking at Kos Island. This is the town and port of Xerokambos (say that 5 times fast). We sailed right by here last week and I considered coming here before turning south to Emborios on Kalymnos.

Back on board we take a look to the castle before we say Kali Nitka (good night)