After a quiet and peaceful night under power, we woke this morning to a glorious sunrise in the Argolic Gulf, a somewhat protected body of water on the east side of the Peloponnesus coast. We had come here seeking favorable winds for sailing. This was to be our first full day on board Sea Cloud, and because she remains the most luxurious and lavish four masted Barque to sail the high seas, it seemed appropriate to plan the day for sailing.
After breakfast, Captain Komakin called “hit the rig” and eighteen sailors began climbing the ratlines to the massive yards above. Like gymnasts on a tightrope, they worked their way to the ends of the spars, untying the gaskets to let the sails fall free. The sailor who climbs to the skysail yard on the main mast will be looking down at the decks almost 160´ below. Once the sails are untied, the crew climbs back to the decks to begin working an endless array of lines that either pull the yards up or the sails down. One by one, massive square sails begin to billow and fill with wind, and Sea Cloud is in her element. The main engines are shut down, and our first real sail begins.
The sensation of sailing on a large square-rigger is hard to describe. In the relatively calm seas of the Argolic Gulf, the decks feel solid and firm under our feet. There is little sense that the ship is moving, except for the swish of water bubbling past the white hull. Sailing downwind, even the breeze crossing the decks is barely noticeable. And yet, we are indeed moving at about 5 knots.
Our fascinating sail explanation is now over and we get to meet the Lindblad staff and guides before we are lucky enough to have a presentation from our National Geographic photographic Instructor, Ralph Lee Hopkins. As we sit with our gaze fixed to the screen we see stunning images and learn more about the basics of Expedition Photography.
With our stomachs rumbling we anxiously await the delicious buffet lunch on the lido. We have pleasant conversations over lunch guests and then it’s time settle into the deck chairs or the cushions of the Blue Lagoon, relaxing with a book or simply soaking in the experience of sailing on one of the greatest yachts ever built.
We wake up from our peaceful slumber to make our way from all corners of the beautiful Sea Cloud to attend our Marine Archeologist’s talk on, “Ancient Greek 101: The History, Art, and Architecture.” What a perfect overview of this fascinating sea and its islands that we get to explore this week! Last but not least we are able to meet the ship officers, dressed in their blue and white uniforms and shiny gold stripes before our Captain invited us to his special Welcome Aboard Dinner. Now we sit under the stars as we listen to Peter Czifra play lively renditions of all our favorite songs.
