Relaxing on Simi
31 January 2024 – Panormitis, Simi, Greece
I’m sorry to report that we have done almost nothing this past week but relax on the island of Simi, which has been great but doesn’t make for a very interesting blog post. The goal is generally to head north through the Greek islands, but as the wind has been from the north for the past while and will continue to blow from there, progress has been slow.
We spent a few days in Simi Town, which is the most beautiful town I have ever seen. The houses are freshly painted in bright colours with contrasting patterns and trim and they are arranged in a valley between two hills that slopes down towards the harbour.
Simi Town, Simi, Greece
Simi Town, Simi, Greece
Simi Town, Simi, Greece
There are many small stone staircases winding up through the town to the church near the top, and more winding roads running through it. Sirius scared a donkey carrying a load of water bottles when we came upon it unexpectedly around a corner. He also barked at a chicken and some goats in several backyards.
The harbour was open to the swell and because we were Med moored against the town quay, the waves kept slapping against Festina Lente’s stern. There is another bay just on the other side of the headland where it was calmer, so we relocated there for a few days. The bay is basically on the outskirts of town in the village of Pedi; the houses of Simi Town are still visible sloping down the mountains but it was much quieter there.
Pedi, Simi, Greece
I befriended a cat and her four kittens who lived outside the grocery store who were adorable until Sirius scared them away. When my mom went into the grocery store, they were all curled up on a shelf there together.
For the past few days we have been back in Panormitis by the monastery due to the weather.
Main tower of the monastery – Panormitis, Simi, Greece
Panormitis, Simi, Greece
Panormitis, Simi, Greece
We’ve been meaning to leave for Rhodos for the past few days but for some reason the marina there keeps changing its mind on when it can accommodate us so we’ll hopefully be heading over there this afternoon.
