Kythnos, Greece
We departed Mikonos under the lights of our neighboring cruise ship and made our way to the west and Kythnos, our destination for tomorrow. The freshening east wind had dropped and the stars had begun to appear which showed promise for the weather. The motion was just enough to remind us that we were on board a ship and rock us to sleep as we crossed the Cyclades.
The Captain and crew anchored Panorama at Kythnos Island during the early hours of the morning. As we awoke and came on deck the ship was gently swinging on her anchor. The skies were overcast but it was very warm and calm. Not long after breakfast the kayaks and Zodiacs were down and we were off to explore the cove and the “double sided” beach that serves two anchorages and provides the only access to the small islet just to the south. It is an interesting geologic formation commonly called a “tombolo” where a small sandy spit connects the island of Kythnos to the islet of Agios Loukas and then forms two well-protected harbors. It was a great destination for our morning.
Kythnos is not an island that most people have heard about. They have a population of about 1,500 people so it is very sparsely inhabited. Known for its hot springs, the Greeks commonly call it Thermia. It is a very popular destination for Athenians as a vacation hotspot. It is also well known among sailors due to some of its well-protected anchorages with sandy beaches. The local residents used to make their living in some iron mines that were located on Kythnos, but these were closed sometime in the 1940’s. Since then farming, fishing and some tourism are the main industries on the island.
The morning’s activities were very relaxed. Kayaks were available and taken out to explore the harbor throughout the morning. Many of the early arrivals headed off for a hike to the top of the islet which gave them a good view of the area. By the time they returned it was time for a swim or a snorkel. We were all surprised by how warm the water was and the clarity was exceptional. Just before lunch we reluctantly returned to Panorama for lunch, which concluded not only our last beach landing and Zodiac ride for the voyage but also for the season. Not a bad way to finish things off.
Not long after lunch we were underway northbound for the mainland. There was just enough breeze to get the sails out as we headed for a final visit to Cape Sounion. Our conditions were much better than the last time we came by here, so it made for a better photo opportunity. As we departed the Cape, Sharon did a presentation on olives and olive oils from the region complete with some great images to illustrate this. At the end she provided a fine selection of local olive oils for everyone to taste and render their own verdict on which was the finest. Ellie and Stella, our Greek guides followed this with a presentation on modern Greece and opened the floor for questions, which led to some great information and discussions.
As we neared the ship’s home port of Piraeus the Captain hosted a farewell cocktail party. It was a fine affair and a very appropriate way to finish the voyage. During dinner the Captain and crew brought us into the berth for the evening and a quiet night at the dock. It is our last night with the Panorama until we see them again next May. It has been a great season and we will miss this fine ship, its officers and its crew.
