Meganisi to Ithaca (31.1km, by boat): we had an early departure and a two-hour motor south from Meganisi to Ithaca, with breakfast en route.
leaving the marina and its tiny church (and the beach where we swam yesterday evening) |
the sun says it's early |
some places have lenticular clouds, the Greek islands have attack clouds |
houses on an island |
green hillside |
grey hillside |
mountains and sun |
bikes are shipshape |
heading into the passage between Meganisi and Lefkada |
uninhabited island Nisída Thiliá |
very picturesque, but not our destination at this time |
this road up a mountain on Lefkada is also not our destination, but it shows you where all the climbing comes in on our bike rides |
another day, another dramatic oceanside cliff face |
Kris and Tom, conferring |
leaving a number of islands in our wake |
a solitary bicycle in front of a vast ocean |
a boat that is larger than we are |
ladders and lines |
David and Gina have joined the conference |
water, rock, trees |
wake and islands |
did i mention coffee? |
an interesting boat and a very steep road |
more nice islands |
spray on the coastline |
Ithaca! |
houses on the hillsides |
not our route, actually, but you can't blame me for thinking it |
presumably Odysseus's boat |
i can't think of any other explanation |
the tower where Penelope hung out |
confession: since taking these photos i have learned that the current archaeological understanding is that Odysseus's Ithaca is not the same island as modern Ithaca |
around Ithaca, part 1 (28.6km (428m of climbing), by bike): our major bike ride for the day was a scenic there-and-back south along Ithaca. The faster riders took a higher route and joined us at the southern end, so we could ride back together and stop in Stavros for coffee and obligatory Odysseus tourism. Then we returned to the boat and had a late lunch there.
Gina, testing her bike |
bikes, boat, coastline |
a shadowy island |
rocky hilltop and sky |
white and green house |
water edge and mountain, in Frikas |
it is go time, but we are not going |
close-up: anchors |
we are going! David is in the lead as we ride down a pastoral lane on Ithaca |
this tree is trying very hard |
a small stone building on top of a mountain |
trees in a valley |
road up a hill |
a few pomegranates |
Odysseus-relevant locations on Ithaca |
locations around the Mediterranean |
rest stop at this church |
town of Stavros |
discerning cats prefer clipless |
a good cat |
view back to the bay |
blue water, blue sky |
this is pretty |
a swimming pool |
seeing this view while we rode was pretty great |
the road ahead above the hillside |
the road behind |
more blue water and mountains |
boat under sail |
view back along the coast, with houses below and our route above |
the water is very blue |
the coast below |
sure, if you go right there's 8km of climbing... but don't forget the heliport |
across the water to Kefalonia |
Beth, enjoying the view |
the road behind, as we reach the turnaround point for the low-altitude contingent |
road and mountains ahead |
Gina, enjoying the view |
remember the view? it looks like this |
the view east, towards the southeast segment of Ithaca |
a boat not under sail |
the road back north |
Gina and Beth on the road |
houses down there |
David, stowing water |
an interesting tree |
Tom and David, riding |
houses on the hillside |
back in Stavros, we find a diorama of Odysseus's Palace |
the Homeric past which keeps the island imprisoned in a myth |
Gina, looking at the Odyssey exhibit space |
sign for cafe in Stavros where we stop for drinks |
self-explanatory |
a tree of significant size |
more Odysseus stuff |
base of the large tree |
a variety of graffiti on a building overlooking the valley |
this coffee experience was enjoyable |
another sign for the cafe |
Gavin, ready to head out and/or making shadow puppets |
cats! |
the group, heading out |
leaving town |
Gina back at the boat |
several bicycles |
water and shore view from the boat |
Minecraft villager David |
egg lunch! |
fish lunch! |
around Ithaca, part 2 (8.6km (166m of climbing), by bike): after lunch, we had a short bike ride east along the coast to a recommended beach for a swim. Dinner was back on the boat.
the sky |
coast near the boat, with bench |
after a brief bike ride and a steep path down, we arrive at this beach for a swim |
it looks nice, right? (it was nice) |
mountain view from the beach |
closer hills, with house |
my bike, contemplating the walk up |
this tree is trying very hard |
cliff next to path |
more cool rocks |
definitely walking my bike up this |
soil storage? |
somewhat unclear |
building and ruin further along the path |
some of the others went into town, but we headed back to the boat |
water, hill, big mountain, clouds |
statue of a mermaid |
hey, it's the boat |
acorn with fuzzy cap we found along the route |
steep hill with many trees |
maybe a beer |
view from our window (there's a nice moon, but i don't have the camera for it) |
tomorrow's schedule... for now |