Nea Iraklitsa and the Greek Mainland - Opah!

Our last night in Thassos and we're going out in style. My princess is at least, wow! I must make Jenée so happy, she's downright giddy! We are at our favorite beach place (Island Bar) for a sunset cocktail, then we are off to dinner. This is the most laid back island we've visited so far. This particular place has the coolest American music as the owner was a DJ for many years with real eclectic tastes. We dug it.

We also dug meeting Telemaco Papadopoulus, who took care of us night and day when we came to the Island Bar. Not that we were drinking or anything. Boy, why does his name sound so Irish. It's like my good buddy, Demetris Theoharous, another Irish kid. Love 'em! Telemaco is only 21 and is studying to be a journalist at the university. Well Telemaco, writers write, so write us and let us know what you're up to my friend.

Speaking of writing, my darling is texting friends and family back home. A study in concentration and beauty.

We walked next door to Mythos, our favorite Thassos seafood restaurant where they had a table on the water reserved for us. Mythos is also my favorite Greek beer. I'm in heaven. We are overlooking the ancient Limenas town harbor that is reportedly lined with marble on the bottom

The next morning we head to the northern part of the Aegean Sea and mainland Greece. We will pick up our repaired bow thruster from Anthymos in the port town of Nea Iraklitsa (nee-ah ee-rack-leet-sa). Go ahead and say that 5 times fast. While enroute, this sailboat loaded with folks we just met in Thassos comes racing by. Looks like a pretty good disguise - FOR A PIRATE SHIP !

There is Jungle from the vantage of the attacking pirate ship! I'm taking a picture of the varmints before I take evasive action. Well damn your hide, sir ! (That's bad ass pirate talk). You always need to be prepared on the high seas. Or if your just motoring to a cozy little harbor.

So I gun Jungle's engine and jump up to 9 kts. Race over, hah! I think it's important to teach young pirate children the bitter taste of defeat. BWAAA-hah-hahhhhh! Gee Jim, why is it you never had children? I don't rightly know, cause I love the little bastards. Any hoo, they seemed to enjoy it, especially the big wake.

Why not race with sails up you ask? Too much work and what do I look like? A sailor person, guy? What's up with that?

We slow Jungle down now as victory is ours to allow our friends to catch up and capture this lovely montage with Thassos as a backdrop. (not so bad ass pirate talk)

There's Frodo waving to us. Say hi to Bilbo and Samwise (Lord of the Rings, I kill me once again) Frodo is a cool guy from Holland living in Greece with family and all. We had plenty of time to chat as we were both up at 3 AM helping other boats in a swell filled Limenas Harbor. My thanks to him for sending me the Jungle pics. Efharisto, my friend.

We arrive Nea Iraklista. Nice looking bay.

The scenery is quite nice. What a surprise.

We tie up at the dock and stroll around town. Afterwards we stop at this little seafood restaurant recommended by Anthymos. Pretty view of the harbor. Jungle is out there somewhere.

And pretty view of the town waterfront. This area is definitely off the beaten path and we did not meet any English speaking tourists. Strictly Greek and that is fine by us.

Anthymos is an expert boat repair guy (fixes anything with wires) and a sailor who keeps his boat in the harbor. He set up for us to use his buddy's slip for a few days.

There is Jungle. Looking a little large in the harbor. Everyone was nice as could be to us. No surprise there, the Greeks are the best.

Now we get even more ambitious and walk around the back of the marina and find these rocks leading to a park and another beach. We also see folks fishing in the early evening.

I'll be your tour guide this evening as we move through the park and find one of these mini-church-shrines. You see these everywhere you go in the most remote places. All are well kept.

Now we get to the beach. Some folks still here. It's not uncommon for folks in these parts to hang around the beach until dark.

We spot this little sandy cove between the rocks and decide we'll come back to check it out as it's only steps from our boat.

The next day pours, so we are not going to the beach. It's a workday on Jungle. By late afternoon, the sun is shining again so we'll head to the beach tomorrow. One major item accomplished today was to top off our diesel fuel. We took on 1300 liters or 340 + gallons. Unfortunately fuel is very expensive in Greece. So no lunch for a month.

And here we are. This little cove is only 10 meters wide and we have it to ourselves. Yassas!

Checkout that view looking east. We came in front of that big island, Xeronisi, 2 days ago.

Now check it out over Jenée's toes. She's a silly billy.

Looking down the beach, we see a good spot for lunch.

Jenée is saying "no, no, no"' but I'm saying "yes, yes, yes"! It's photo shoot time baby!

I tell her the rock formations are incredible and must be captured in our blog. What would our 3 readers across the country say? Probably nothing, but still. Oh, all right, you really like rocks.

This place really is spectacular.

Every place we visit in Greece, the water is clean and beautiful.

"Enough!" Jenée cries". "Why don't you get in the picture!?"

Okie dokie, don't have to ask me twice, I'm in. Matter of fact, how about just me?

Oh yeah, that's working it! That's pretty hot! Maybe it's just me.

Jenée is worried that anybody checking out the blog right now is bleeding from their eyes. Really? That bad?

No really, you looked good Captain. Yikes!

Sticks and stones ... See if I care? Still a beautiful view from the Taverna.

Anthymos finished up with the repair for the bow thruster so we are good to go. He also checked our main engine alternator and diagnosed it as OK, but with a low idle issue (not charging). We figured out a remedy on that as well, namely rev the engine up a bit until it begins charging then back it down. Great guy who does great work. Very professional and fair.

This is my marina neighbor, Theodore's boat. We could'nt back all the way to the dock due to some rocks, so we needed to use his boat to get on and off.

And here is Theodore at 81 and getting around just fine. Tonight he arrived on his motor scooter. He gave me a tour of his all wooden boat - clean and beautiful. I gave him a tour on Jungle. Nice gentleman.

As we grill dinner on the back deck (our favorite past time) and look around this town, we find it very charming. Looking across the harbor to the town front.

Looking west to the mountains and the sunset.

Looking back up to the residential homes stacked high.

Jenée and I agree, we really love this place and were fortunate to have found it. We are very happy with our decision to sail all the way north. Thanks again to Anthymos for also providing us some touring guidance.

Tomorrow we'll begin our long ride down hill (south) towards Athens. There is some beautiful scenery to see on the western portion of the Aegean Sea. Kali Nikta to all (Good Night).