A Tale of Two Cats
The next day, a wander through the bustling market with Eva was nothing less than fascinating as she poked from shop to shop, gathering basketfuls of fresh produce, spices, cheeses, and other delicacies. By midmorning, Giorgos had extricated us from our Med mooring on the main thoroughfare and set a course for the deserted island of Rinia, where we again dove into the inviting sea and enjoyed yet another marvelous repast while priming ourselves for the over-the-top, 24/7 attractions of Mykonos.
"Here," said Giorgos, as we tied up near the island's new cruise-ship terminal, "time does not exist."
True enough: Mykonos is Greece's version of the island that never sleeps. We rented a car and had a good look at the beaches, resorts, shops, and scenery that make the place such a powerful magnet for tourists and partiers of all ages and nationalities. And while I'm glad I had the chance to see it again after a long hiatus-I know right were to go when I need my next Rolex and Louis Vuitton luggage-I wasn't sad when we put it (and the six cruise ships and their passengers) in our distant wake.
After our night of wretched Mykonos excess, we were all in the mood for something entirely laid back, and the lovely island of Paros, a short sail to the south, was the perfect antidote. We spent the evening, our last aboard Gorgias, in the company of a truly international fleet of cruisers in the secluded harbor of Naoussa, a one-time pirates' lair on the island's northeast point.
Our Nautitech 47, built in France in 2007, had been an ideal vehicle for wandering about the archipelago. The four double cabins, each with its own separate head, are spread out nicely in the quarters of the rectangular accommodation plan. The focal point of the central saloon is the large oval table and a huge wraparound settee that could easily sit eight for dinner. Likewise, there's another big table and dining area in the spacious aft cockpit, which is also great for drinks and socializing.
Under way, the 47-footer employs twin wheels stationed well aft and outboard in each of the respective hulls; each position offers clear sightlines to main and jib sail trim as well as a clear, unimpeded look at the horizon. The traveler, sheet winches, and mainsheet are also close at hand, making the boat surprisingly easy and efficient to sail. Our only regret was that we didn't have enough breeze to really get a feel for the Nautitech's performance, which one has to assume is considerable.
As we spent our last night together aboard Gorgias, with a full moon rising over Naoussa, the evening couldn't have been stiller or mellower. But that was about to change.
Calm in the Canal
If our time aboard Gorgias was really all about the islands, our spell aboard the Lagoon 500, Lepanto, was all about the boat. We certainly got to see her under remarkable conditions.
