This morning we found perfect winds off the east coast of the legendary island of Ithaca. The crew set the sails with light winds and before we knew it, the Zodiacs were going into the water. Some of us were barely awake when our expedition leader announced the “once in a lifetime” opportunity to go out in a Zodiac and round the Sea Cloud under sail. It was a magical experience, and a highlight of the voyage.
Midday the Sea Cloud sailed into Vathy harbor—the capital of the island. We disembarked on our tenders and were immediately confronted by the man who made this little island famous—Odysseus. We set off for an island drive and our guides Eleni and Sophia took us back in time—to the epic times when the Trojan War had ended and Odysseus was still trying to get home. We saw the beach where his saviors left him and he woke up—at home at last. We drove up Mt. Niritos—described by Homer—and realized how well he describes the landscape. Rugged—fit only for goats and swines.
Our first stop was at a monastery called Katharon. The Orthodox Church was decorated with icons and silver votive offerings. The Holy Cross was covered with basil—due to the fact that it was the day the church commemorates the finding of the cross by St. Helen and St. Constantine.
We continued on our way to even higher elevations—our next stop being the village Anogi. Terraces, threshing floors, cisterns, windmills, and a magnificent 15th-century church with frescoes make up this little hamlet.
Next we went to the town of Stavros for iced coffee and baklava. In the town square we saw a model of the imaginary palace of Odysseus and a map showing where he was, for it took him ten years to get home to be reunited with his wife and son.
Returning to Vathy we saw the island of Kephalonia from a distance—realizing that it was an island kingdom consisting of more than one island that Odysseus had reigned over.
Back in Vathy we had time to promenade on the waterfront and to browse in the local shops.
Full of images we returned to the Sea Cloud for dinner on the lido deck. “Kleftiko” was the main course—a traditional Greek dish with lamb and vegetables. This marked the end of a great day on this lovely island.
