Telltales75:
Dreamy
Aeolian Islands
Okay, time to head back south and get back to Sicily and the beautiful Aoelian slands, of which Stromboli and Vulcano are probably the best known.
The Bakker-family had chartered Sylphe for ten days of exploring these islands and celebrate Jeff’s XX birthday (I will remain discrete).
The island group, just north-east of Sicily, consists of 7 bigger islands and a huge collection of rocks and other uninhabited smaller islets Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi. They all have a volcanic origin, resulting in rather steep to mountainous islands, green and lush vegetation, crystal clear water and more peace than one cold ask for (especially on the smaller islands).
This area offers some challenges for the yachtsman though, as it is very deep water everywhere and anchoring is a general problem, even twenty meters off the beach, you will still find 50 meter deep water. And if there is any wind the islands offer little shelter.
However “Aeolus” was willing and he organized ten
days of
hardly any wind, which was a pity from the sailing point of view but
GREAT as
we now really could explore every corner of these islands. Which we
did. We
sailed around every island, stopped at beaches and caves, where you
normally
would not be able to stop and had a really fantastic time.
Jeff
still being
younger than Sylhe, don’t worry, Jeff.
And this is the rest of the crew: Marys, Bettina and Lisa (from left to right)
The
following was written by Lisa, Jeff’s 18 year
old daughter:.
We are passing in between two islands. The wind gently asks for attention. On the left a small church, on a rocky promontory, surrounded by crystal clear blue water. In the far distance another island, on a hazy horizon. Furhter up a dreamy village with white and pink houses, upon the slopes of the huge volcano, which climbs up into the sky.
The waves
create some spray, bringing salty water and
cools one off. But even the sea water is 27 degrees, and the sun just
burns the
whole day.
Waking up: The silence around us, creates an incredible atmosphere, to which one only can give in. The only sound being the waves rocking the boat. And in the morning you hear the crickets on land, screaming for attention. The little village, to which we are anchored off, has an incredible, indescribable charm, n cars, no transport other than donkeys and it seems almost impossible to live hear all-year-round. But still they do, we only pass by for a day. The sun is burning already at 7 in the morning and makes it too hot to continue sleeping: welcome to another day in paradise.
I am
sitting on the bow, when we are on our way to yet
another island, overlooking a mirror flat sea. The sunrays are being
reflected
into all possible directions. We play some great music, have a
campari-orange
and take in the scenery around us. Here suddenly I realize I can
experience
internal peace, of which I wasn’t sure I had it. Wooowww. I start
feeling
jealous towards Roland, as he does this every day and can only envy his
immeasurable
freedom.
We wake up
in Lipari, in the small harbor. Next to us
docked a smelly ferry, bringing day-tourists to the island. The open
sea calls
us with its peace and serenity. The only thing we still want to do, is
get out
of this harbor, back onto the sea and enjoy a nice breakfast there.
Jeff and Bettina enjoying Panarea night life and the firework display.
And we used all kinds of different transport, like this fancy taxi on Stromboli (mind you the guy with the beard was the driver, not the captain of Sylphe).
Early
mornings or late afternoons, the view and the
surroundings is always spectacular. Embracing one with peace and
quietness, so
much that it was almost too much and too good to be true.
Nothing is
SO perfectly in harmony with itself as the
sea. Every wave, dolphin, seagull or boat takes it as it is, making its
own
rhythm, goes at its own pace.
Land
almost feels as an intrusion to this special
world, and not the other way around. It is a privilege to be part of
this, to
embrace it, enjoy it and to never want to let go.
It is an
art to do nothing and just be………………
Oh,
and YES, we had laughs, fun, swimming and
showering on deck as you can see.
Roland (and many
thanks to Lisa
for her contribution)