The final leg - Israel

After a mix up with the marina reservation, we were re-directed to another location that was an official port of entry for the country. Luckily, they had space for us, but who knew that 2 places had the same name? After going 4 NM (a 1 1/2 to 2 hour detour) out of our way and into a restricted area before figuring it out, we made it into the correct marina right around 5pm.

Boy do they take security seriously and with our “little mistake” they were very concerned. We were greeted by 4 men (1 marina person, & 3 immigration guys, one with a 9mm handgun shoved in his back pants), and 1 women (customs/immigration specialist). After the initial passport checks, and boat search we were allowed into the marina to dock the boat. There we were to go through the more thorough process. The boat was completely searched and we all went through interviews on the dock. After about 3 hours, in which I made dinner for us all in between searches/interviews - we were starving- we were “okayed”. Now we just had to go check into the marina and retrieve our passports!

The port captain on duty was very kind and after an hour with immigrations doing final passport paper work, we were free to go about our business. Well, so much for having a day to explore the city. It was 9pm!

We made our way to the local pub, located on the pier as Carl and Brian were still in their foul weather gear, and celebrated. We had successfully crossed the entire Mediterranean- from the Straits of Gibraltar to Israel. This distance is almost the same as crossing the Atlantic, just to give you some perspective! And, we did this in winter. What were we thinking!!!!!

It was a well deserved beer for all and a great sense of accomplishment.

Cyprus- 2 Countries for the price of one!

We were all looking forward to this leg of the trip as it was one step closer to warmer weather & home, so we hoped! Also, Carl was greatly looking forward to seeing his good friends/mentor who had moved to the island permanently, that prior year. Bonus for us as well, it is always nice to know a local and be shown around.

The Fort in the Marina

Underway

The sail over was uneventful, which was great for everyone. However, coming in and docking at the marina was a much different scenario! Where do you want us? Are you sure right there? It was packed and to top it off a very small entrance and "parking spot". Actually, I think they made one for us, if you could call it that. We were stern to, tied to the corner of the dock between one huge boat and another regular fiberglass sailboat that had been damaged by the last boat that had to park there. Great, fenders out!

Skipping rocks at Lovers Beach

We left our heart at the beach :)

Anyhow, after about 2 hours the boat was secured. Now, how do we get ashore? It gives new meaning to "walking the plank", right! It was so treacherous that Brian actually fell in one night, and Willi’s brother wouldn’t attempt the plank at all. First order of business, Willi's house for a nice hot shower, a laundry machine, and a terrific home cooked meal. Awesome!

The next day we took in the sites- an old ruin. Many cultures, loads of old crap, we were over it almost before we began. But, it was a lovely day and the location being out on the point overlooking the ocean, was beautiful. Enough to keep us occupied for a couple of hours.

Saturday, Willi's girlfriend flew in from South Africa, so Sunday we all took a road trip up Cyprus's highest mountain, Mt Olympus. From Ocean to Snow - yeah it was beyond cold. It was freaking snowing! The oxymoron of the situation and our "romantic, topical, fair winds" life was so comical; we couldn't help but break out into laughter. Most of my backpack was full of shorts and tank tops that I haven't worn for 6 months, and it didn't seem like that was going to change anytime soon. Well, when life gives you lemons, make a Snowman. I did.

Even the snowman carries a cell phone!
Snowball fight!

Sailing the Med - so funnyLynette and I

From beach to snow all in one day

Beautiful outdoor mosaic

The ruins

Cyprus kitty

Next up, a short hop over to Israel, and another visit with one of Carl's good friends. This was where we intended on picking up our fourth crew member before heading for the Red Sea. Alas, that would not happen.
We planned on leaving on Sunday, but ended up leaving on Tuesday due to weather (and various cooks in the kitchen so to speak). Oh well, I guess that means we only have one day to look around Tel Aviv / Jerusalem, and go exploring before we jump on a plane for the States!

See all photos of Cypress here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnbrian/sets/72157623555674275/

This technology stuff is killing me

OMG - I can't keep up! With all this new stuff, well maybe just new to me, like Facebook, email, blogging, Twitter (although, I have yet to try this one), and now, new from Google - Buzz, I am so far behind! Apparently I am already following 9 people! Really? I'm still not exactly sure how it works, and I definitely know I didn't sign up for yet another program.
I know being busy is no excuse for my lack of posting of late, but not to fear, our recent stories and pictures will be coming soon.
Thanks for reading, and waiting....
Meow & the Man

Karpathos, Greece

Unfortunately on the sail over from Crete to this island, only 180nm away, I came down with a head cold. No fun when you have to stand watch in the middle of the night, or when it starts to rain as it inevitably does sailing in winter. To top that off, the power system on the boat stopped working. With the wind dying, the wind generator or what we call “Meap” (Mechanical energy appliance producer), would do us no good. Additionally, the engine did not seem to be charging the batteries either. Hmmmm. So not only did the wind die in the middle of the night, so did our nav lights, wind instruments and compass light. Great.
Our 36 hour trip ended up taking us 50 hours, as we had to sail around to allow the wind generator to charge up the batteries to start the engine, not really so bad, except I just didn’t feel well. I wanted a couch, a fireplace, a blankie, a hot cup of tea, a TV with copious amounts of movies, and a place to plant myself for hours. Home sounded good.
Anyhow, this is a very cute Greek island, totally something out of a brochure, but really small. The whole town where we stopped is only like three streets deep. Upon doing boat chores (and something we knew about from when we were underway), the head (toilet) was wobbling, and needed repairs. When Brian went to fix it, he discovered that both brackets that hold the toilet down were broken completely. Yeah…He had to remove everything including the vanity to get the repair done. Oh, this boat has like 3 screw drivers and a pair of pliers Brian bought.
Okay, since Carl was at his friends, we stayed on the boat, but the next night we checked into a hotel. It’s no fun to have to wait until the café opens in the morning to go to the bathroom! Did I mention that there were no facilities here – bathroom or shower, or did I have to? On the plus side, I feel much better, but it’s still raining.
So, my shower average is now 6 days. Gross, I know, and probably way TMI, but it’s not all glamorous, all the time people. I am so looking forward to warm weather and warmer water (ocean) where showers are not such a concern since all you have to do is jump in to the sea – ahhhhhhh………
Oh, I finally got a gyros, a spanikopita, and a piece of baklava. Yummy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnbrian/sets/72157623109371813/

Crete – Chania

After 20 years of wanting to come to Greece, I finally arrived. It just wasn’t in summer, like I had hoped. Okay, trying to make the best of it, my heart just really wasn’t there. Anyhow, this town had a very picturesque waterfront and romantic interior, something of which I expected. However, again this port had no shower facilities for women and even less of a bathroom if you could call it that. What’s up with these European countries and their sub standard facilities? Mexico was a dream compared to what I have been experiencing here.

With that said, Brian & I checked into a room. I stunk, and knew it. Being totally grateful, I took full advantage of the shower and private bath right after we got some boat chores done first – like getting camping gas to cook with. Ya, we arrived on a Saturday, knowing that everything is closed Sunday, we had to hustle. Anyhow, we managed to have a nice dinner where we ate huge Greek salads. I swear, I ate about 3 whole tomatoes myself!

Due to weather, it was decided we would not leave until maybe Monday. Great, more time to explore. There is supposed to be a great hike and some nice beaches on the southwest side of the island of Crete. Renting a car, Brian and I took off on our adventure. It being already late afternoon and we hadn’t eaten yet, we rushed out of town to make a sunset dinner in Sougia.

Our Rental Car

Well, it was romance “interrupt-us” as we came around the corner of a windy mountainous road and encountered a truck coming down in our lane. We had no where to go but into him, literally. Yes, that’s right – smack-a-roo! Luckily, we were headed up the hill and only in first gear, impacting at 5- 10 mph, so no one got hurt. That’s the good news. The bad news was we were Americans. Oh, and they spoke no English (in the truck). Then it started to rain. Right. Three hours later, a trip down to the police station in the police car, a trip back up to get the car, and a discussion with our rental agent (who showed up) about who was at fault (as they tried to blame us – good thing we had the camera & the evidence was clearly against them, but still it was bad – the driver even went so far as to pick up the glass & plastic and move it into his lane to try and blame us, bad), and still no dinner or food, we were escorted back to the boat. Yes, you heard correctly. They had no other car to give us. Not that it mattered since our plans were ruined. Their Insurance - it's all Greek to us!

Starving, we headed into old town for some quick dinner. Not wanting to spend the big bucks on a tourist trap water front restaurant recommended by the rental car agent, we went to what we thought would be a reasonable place. Yeah, it was except we just didn’t expect them to take our dinner out of the freezer right in front of us! Laughing, because what are you going to do, cry (?), we decided to write off the day. The only welcome site was the big beer Brian ordered – it was well, big.

The "Freezer"

A "big" beer :)

Desperate to improve my mood, we ended up getting a car (no charge) the next day. We drove in the opposite direction this time up to the next big city – Rethyknos. I could see in summer what fun it could be, but in winter there wasn’t really anything to do. We ate at a “noodle bar” but came out thinking, where were the noodles? Really trying, we located the movie theatre and ascertained that yes; they did have movies in English. Great, this always lifts my spirits. Well, we went to the Hugh Grant, Sara Jessica Parker movie – Did you hear about the Morgan’s? It wasn’t good, but it’s funny how you enjoy anything in English, and at this point, I did. Anyhow, another day was awash.

Tuesday we leave for Karpathos, Greece and to visit with one of Carl’s friends.

Sorry, we didn't take many scenic photos, but what we did you can find here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnbrian/sets/72157623221747998/