S/V Aphrodite

We enjoyed a day sail to Pantelleria and a free berth along side the wall. We were close to everything and stocked up on vegetables and foods that just were not available in Tunisia. Our first meal included pork chops and Italian pasteries for desert. Brisa seemed to grow about an inch a day and is now nearly full-grown. Here we purchased a Wind usb modem which gives us internet on the boat and accepts sim chips from most countries in the EU. We stayed 3 days waiting for favorable winds before sailing overnight to Syracuse Sicily.

Syracuse was once the most powerfull city-state of Greece rivaling even Athens in power. It was founded in 737 BCE. Several ruins including the temple of Appolo are interspersed with beautiful baroque limestone mansions that characterize the old town of Ortiga. A 7th century baroque-style cathedral was built on top of the temple of Athena incorporating most of the temple’s original columns. Every morning there is a lively market with an amazing assortment of vegetables, fish and deli items. The picturesque harbor is home to a fleet of small, colorful fishing vessels where well-muscled and quite handsome fishermen can be seen mending their nets.

We decided that we will postpone visiting Taormina and Mt. Etna until our return from Greece, Turkey and Croatia. Instead we will take advantage of favorable winds and sail to Kalamata Greece which is 380 nm away. We are meeting up with Angelo and Donna in Santorini on May 13th.