We are now visiting the Saronic Islands, popular because of their beaches and ancient ruins. These seven islands are close to Athens, making them all great day-trip destinations.

Our first stop is Agistri, an island clustered with pine trees and filled with churches, chapels, and sandy beaches, all on top of aqualine waters. The town is very quiet, has a sleepy vibe to it, and is extremely laid back. It would have been fun to rent bikes to ride and explore bur Rich’s stomach is a bit off lately. I think it is all the different flavors of foods he is experiencing.

(06/30) We have stopped in Vathi on our way to Poros. The small, old fishing harbor is on a quay, not very populated, doesn’t have much to do sight-seeing wise, and is even quieter than Agistri. The kids running amok at night were the loudest! I sure hope tourism picks up in July and August to help the many restaurants the town has to offer.

(07/01) I was glad to leave Vathi behind. Despite being small, as I mentioned, it was very noisy way into the night and a bit buggy. My main complaint, though, was with the boat next to us. A party of four older men, the owner being a fat grump, and a crew of one, pulled their large powerboat next to us. The fashion in which the crew-mate was treated was disgusting. As stated, the owner was an out of shape, large ego-ed, sense of entitlement thing, who could barely make it down the passerelle to shore. It was only with the help of his crew-mate that he was safely escorted to his dinner table to meet his other companions.

Here’s my rub; the crew-mate did everything, appeared to be kind and helpful, and was not even invited to dine with everyone. I thought the caste system was dead! I almost asked him to join us for a night cap but knew I’d be in for in with Gramps. I am sure that the gentleman that signed up to be a one man-crew knew his responsibilities but probably not the shallowness of his boss. I hope he is well paid. I could never have crew-mates; I would be serving them coffee! Enough of the soap box…

Leaving Vathi, we motored for a bit, enjoying the warmer weather and admiring the ever changing coastline. Once, I noticed a small black car driving along the road heading to a magnificent home at the end of the point, overlooking the water. The contrast of the salmon colored house to the azure water stunning. I wonder what someone does all day in a home so isolated.

Our day ended in Poros, the site of the first naval base in modern Greece and still in use today as a training facility for naval personnel.

We anchored again to a quay, right off the waterway teeming with power boats, sail boats, super yachts, and packed passenger ferries. The town itself was beautiful, pristine, and bustling with tourists from everywhere. We have been asked several times if we are from England! Like the other towns on a quay, the nightlife was hopping with loud, energetic chatter and even louder music.

Poros was a lovely surprise. It has a maritime museum, lots of boutiques and shops brimming with beautiful finds, restaurants offering fresh excellent, although rich, cuisine, loads of side streets to explore, several old churches, and a soccer field right on the waterway. Markets were plentiful as well as butcher and fish shops, your needs cut to order. It was certainly worth the stop!