No delays, no overbooking, no turbulences… this time our trip did not get threatened by anything. We were lucky enough that the weather was not too hot and that a gentle wind joined us almost everyday. I really suggest this time of the year, still not too crowded, not excessively warm and people are friendlier that usual, probably because they are preparing and look forward to the season to start.

I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but our idea of tourism is maybe not the most common one : we had 5 days in Athens but we did not visit a single museum, we don’t necessarily follow a guide or a book, we do not reserve restaurants beforehand and we do prepare an itinerary 5 months before nor not visit all the recommended places. It’s just that we like to take it slow, day-by-day, depending on the mood, the weather and our will to rest.

Did it ever happen to you.. that when you go on holiday, you come back even more exhausted than when you left?

Here I was literally in heaven… Just found some fresh camomile, lavender and other dozens of spices. I’m trying to smile while next to us a mother and a son were trying to sell garlic while shouting out loud in Greek. It must work… otherwise they would not risk their voice every day.

These days was a chance to blend in, work, walk, observe the city, graffitis, little streets, find some tasty bakeries, handcrafts, while discovering different neighborhood, different temple (from outside) and interesting vibes.

Stefan and I practically only walked around the city because that’s how we do the “tourists”. When we walk, we have that spontaneity to just turn right and left, following where our senses, instincts and smells take us. We do not look for museums but we look for hills to hike and admire the view from a different perspective.

About perspectives… we look for views that you don’t get to admire everyday.

The Acropolis seen from Mount Lycabettus is one of these. I’ve heard that Mount Lycabettus appears in various legends one of which suggests that this hill was walked by wolves another that Athena (ancient greek goddess) made this mount by dropping a stone… who knows. Anyways, I like to think that temples where built so high to connect and disconnect from at the same time.

After meeting a greek friend and strolling every corner of the center it was time to take the road and drive to VAGO, who’s been waiting for us the whole winter. We did not take the motorway and decided to take the slow and longer way through the mountains, countryside and stunning views.

On the road we stopped in Galaxidi which was built on a natural double harbor on the west coast of the Gulf of Itea. A small village that felt a little asleep, beginning the season at their pace, not rushing into anything.

It was unplanned but we still had one day left, before meeting with VAGO’s former owner and we decided to spend it here. We found a little hotel where we could spend the night, rest and continue driving the day after.

We found a little hotel where we could spend the night, rest and continue driving the day after.

Galaxidi was built on a natural double harbor on the west coast of the Gulf of Itea. A small village that felt a little asleep, beginning the season at their pace, not rushing into anything.

We quickly continued the ride to Preveza knowing that a lot of work was waiting for us.

As soon as we entered the marina, upgrades and normal maintenance started at full speed. During the day we agreed on doing the work and during the evening we would relax and go out for a well-deserved dinner. And that’s what we did, during the day we worked and during the night we took baths, walked at the beach and went to eat outside.

Solar Panels, Antifouling, Logo, Cleaning…

I enjoyed every minute working on VAGO, getting my hands, hair, clothes dirty to do what was needed.

I know it’s not recommended to do this stuff dressed like this and I admit this was not the best protection to paint the hull but surely next time we will do differently. We are learning through every experience. Stefan had been looking forward the solar panels’ upgrade for months to make sure we have enough sustainable energy to live aboard.

And here he is, happy to learn, unpack the panels, find solutions to make them fit and really climb the boat to put them up.

Another moment we both waited long enough for was putting the name on the boat. A name that came on the way back to Switzerland last year, while driving back home. We discussed and draw the logo during the 10 hours ride from Ancona back home. A name that would talk to us, reminding us where we come from and what we stand for.

It took us time to first handwrite it on paper, design, vectorize it and finally find the printer that would make bring it to life ! I found the service at STICKER.IT very professional, a great follow-up with explanations, details and a dedicated person who would answer all my questions.

Also from this order we’ve learned how we would do it or not do it next time. It was a pain in the ass to cut the letters but… voilà.

After all the work, it was time for us to free VAGO and let her go where she most belongs :

July 10th, at 8:30AM the staff was ready and so were we to witness this moment. They were efficient, as always and so were we doing the final touches on time but without stress.

We quickly stopped for groceries and at our favorite wooden-oven-bakery in Vonitsa before sailing forward to a place not too far from Preveza but still in the middle of nowhere to enjoy the peace we deserved after so many days locked in the Marina.

That night Stefan cooked a delicious “Rösti” with a Sunny Side Up Egg and I remember that a “Strawberry moon” had been announced for that night.

Starting from 7PM an open-air cinema started for us until the moon appeared. The boat, us, the sea, everything and everyone was silent, calm. From time to time a bee would come to drink from our glasses but rather than that, we stayed present, in awe, quiet, peaceful and admiring the beauty of life at sea.

We spent few more days sailing around, testing the water-maker, checking that the upgraded panels would do their duty…

We simply lived slowly, entering that blurry space where time and space itself feel and flow differently and preparing ourselves mentally for our adventure to come.