Jungle Jim: Enjoying the Ionian Sea

It's dinner time in Porto Spiglia on Nisis Meganisi and we decide to walk up to the Chora for dinner. We received a recommendation for a restaurant that specializes in shrimp dishes and pizza - works for us.

We look back to take photos, zooming in - Jungle is in there somewhere.

Here's a view looking across the Ionian Sea to the Greece mainland. Everywhere you look are mountains.

Another side of the bay.

And yet another panoramic view towards Greece.

We made it to the village and the first thing Jenée does is check out the markets.

Lucky me.

We make it to the taverna Tropicana, meet the owner Georgiou and sit down.

For pizza!

We also have Shrimp Saganaki, a Grrek specialty with shrimp, tomato sauce, feta cheese and spices cooked like a stew and served with fresh bread. Outstanding. View ain't bad either.

The next morning we admire yet another beautiful view and decide to set sail for Nisos Skorpios. This is the private island owned by the Onnasis family and where Jackie O and family hung out. The island is still in the Onnasis trust and reportedly for sale. It is also rumored that Madonna bid on it but was refused. Picky sellers.

Simply put it is a beautiful island. We have this small cove all to ourselves. Most boats anchor on the other side. The rule is you can do anything you want except se foot on the island. This little sand spit connects a small tree covered hill which we will dinghy around later.

This is the house said to be favored by Jackie O and is one of many on the island. The island is about a square mile in size by my mapping estimate.

The sign is Greek to me except for the part that says "Forbidden Area".

And just to be sure, this truck periodically shows up and hangs around so no one decides to pay a visit.

A close up of the spit separating us from the other cove.

Katie is quite impressed by all this. She probably looks like most of the blog readers. And yes, our bow thruster failed again and I'm looking to diagnose the problem. (the next day I correctly diagnosed a corroded connection and repaired the unit - I rule !)

Time to dinghy around the little point of land. Another boat joined us in the anchorage, but only for a quick swim and out.

Much to see on our way around.

Nice close up views by dinghy.

We can't see this up close on Jungle. Too dangerous.

We've come around and there is the old girl now, on the other side. The security Toyota is in position.

This is a beach front cabana said to be used extensively by Jackie O to entertain.

Marble steps down into the Ionian Sea. Not bad.

We finish our tour and head back around to this nice shady spot as the sun is still quite strong at 4 PM.

Jenée has set up a wine and cheese party. So we drop anchor and float.

These sailboats come by yakking up a storm with each other and having a blast.

Nice backdrop of mainland Greece. What a race! One under sail, one under power.

I like floating and so does little Miss Pinktoes.

Nice views again.

Nice sunlight effect.

Oh, oh somebody sees some pebbles to investigate.

Well, looks like we are going in. The coast is clear.

The water is nice.

And Jenée is prepared with the Baggie that held our crackers.

This is where it gets funny. Here is one last pose, and then ...

...BAM. Jenée is attacked by an octopus! The little guy wrapped a couple of loving tentacles around her ankle and it was hilarious to watch. For Jenée, not so much.

The maneating octopus immediately took off and fortunately Jenée survived, cause I'm getting hungry for dinner. I suggest Jenée puts her leg up to relieve the octopus suction cup abrasion. It's a little know disease I think. At least I thought so.