Folegandros
It’s our first morning aboard the Sea Cloud and most of us are still trying to find our way around and to track where the lido deck, the monkey deck and the famous “Blue Lagoon” are located. After breakfast we joined the safety drill and met with the expedition staff and Greek guides. It was also a great sailing morning and we experienced the old-fashioned way to set sails. We felt so impressed and terrified at the same time by looking at the deck crew members climbing on the masts. That requires a lot of training and courage and very careful moves!
After a delicious lunch served on the lido deck under the bright Greek sun and with a light breeze over the Aegean Sea, we tendered ashore at the first Cycladic Island named Folegandros. The first impression is that except for the tiny pier with fishing boats and a couple of tavernas, there is nothing else to see. We took the one and only bus drove towards the Chora – the main town. The active spirits of the group followed the guide Effie all way to the top of the hill where the Church of Our Lady stands like a crown over the Chora. We spent some time enjoying the cool, shady and freshly whitewashed interior of the church and then we hiked down the steep zig-zag path. The view was more than breathtaking!! Dry, arid, whitewashed buildings, blue waters and the smell of fragrant thyme blossom followed every single step we took.
We then explored the Castro, a small intimate castle that locals still use as a residential area. We stopped at the main square. A few small cafes and tavernas occupy the open space with tables and chairs under the shade of the trees and offer a unique ambience. The best treat is served in a small shot glass and its name is Rakomelo Raki (a type of spirit like ouzo) mixed with local thyme honey! Drink it hot in the winter and your cold is gone in seconds.
By the time the last bus returned to the main port many of us decided to walk down the mountain and to get the most of the island, which is remote and the least-visited, even by the Greeks!
The day closed with a typical Greek dinner with lots of fresh-caught fish, salads, cheeses and, of course, Greek dessert! Another wonderful day has passed, full of memories to share with our friends back home.
