Nilo's summer cruise 2009

Mainly Canon EOS D5.

passage through the Korent

We transitted Korent in a very nice afternoon; the first picture is the other crew members Orhan (who used to be a 2nd officer in commercial ships before joining us) and Ekrem, who is not just a very experienced able seaman, but also an excellent cook.

More pictures from Korent transit; while we were passing at the west end cars were waiting for us.

We transitted Korent and proceeded for Lepanto; this is a very important spot in the Ottoman and also the European history. Ottoman's ruled Lepanto from 1499 until the Greek independence at 1829. What makes this place so important is that one of the largest sea battle was fought on the 7th of October 1571, between the Ottoman fleet and the allied European forces; Venetians, Genovese, Spanish and Austrians. Allied forces had around 202 galleys, 6 galleasses, 76 other sail ships, 1,815 guns total and Ottoman's had around 208 galleys, 46 galliots, 23 fuste, 750 guns. 208

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lepanto_(1571)

Ottomans have controlled the Mediterrenean as from the Preveza battle they have won at 1538. This battle was fought among Andrea Doria and Barbarossa Hayrettin Pasha. The allied forces had around 112 galleys,
50 galleons, 140 barques, 60,000 soldiers and the Ottoman navy had 122 galleys and galliots, 20.000 soldiers. At the end of the battle Turks had sunk 10 ships, burned 3 others, captured 36, and had taken about 3000 prisoners. The Turks did not lose any ships but suffered 400 dead and 800 wounded. Until they have lost the war at Lepanto Ottoman navy had controled most of the West Med as well and have raided the French and Italian ports.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Preveza_(1538)

One other interesting aspect of battle of Lepanto Cervantes has fought and his hand was wounded during the battle.

We went up to the castle which was above the town and took several pictures.

I may very well be wrong, sorry

More pictures from the castle. the first picture has the Rion – Antirion Bridge
This bridge is the longest multispan cable stayed bridge in the world with 3 spans of 560 meters and a total length of 2252 meters. Its foundations have a 90 meter diameter and 65 meter depth making them the world’s largest bridge foundations.

Then we walked the streets of the town and sat at a Greek coffe house in the centre. We had uzo with pickled olives and enjoyed the evening setting down.

More from these sites..

we are flying the Moonen burgee..

Sorry, it is 02.33 in the morning and I have forgotten to write that this bridge connects Patras on the Peloponnese to the mainland in Greece.

We went into Patras to pick some guests. Patras harbour is the main ferry harbour connecting Adriatic Italy to Greece. There are several fast ferry companies operating between Patras and Ancona, Bari, Trieste. Patras bridge has been constructed on a very difficult base. While passing under the Patras bridge you have to report to the traffic control at 5 miles distance and keep your speed at 9 knots.

After we moved under the bridge we came accross this Jongert. My captain Willem was a project manager at Jongert and has worked 26 years there before joining Nilo. He knows all the boats and has recognised this boat as well. The motor yacht could be either a Baglietto or an Admiral.

We spent the night in Ithaca, the islands of Odysseus. This was my 3rd time at the Island since 1995 and there was not much change, other than the petrol station now accepting credit cards. During my 1st visit they have not accepted even dollars and have insisted for Drahmies. The station was at the other side of the bay and while I was landing from the dingy ashore my wallet has fallen in the sea. Something which I still remember

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaca

We then moved to Kefalonia and stopped next to Sami and visited the sunken cave in Melissani. The famous Captain Correlie's Mandolin was filmed at this part of the Islands, although the events tak place in Argostili; the centeral town on the west sie.i

Some pictures from the cave

More Kefalonia pictures and a Ferretti Custom line Navetta

Then we moved along the cost towards in between Ithaca and Kefalonia channel towards Fiscardo; the main attraction for yachts and boats; the small village on the tip of the island.

Then we moved to the smalll inlet next to Fiskardo and anchored. There was a cave in the water. We walked in the cave, we saw that it extended into several branches and each branch was more than few hundred meters. Any idea what the sailboat's make could be?