VATHI

We left Preveza early Friday morning and headed for one of our favourite ports, Vathi, on Meganisi Island.  Our impressions from last July were not changed. The town is a picturesque sanctuary for boats, protected from the strong northerlies with all the services and amenities you could wish for.

The esplanade near the boat

It was disappointing to discover the electricity had been discontinued because of an unpleasant dispute between the private ‘Odysseus’ marina and the local community. Apparently the town marina’s provision of electricity and water at a very reasonable price 5E-10E as opposed to the 40E charged at Odysseus was uncompetitive.

The solution, close down the town wharf!

Hopefully they’ll sort things out before we return next year.

This trip has been far less stressful than any other years.  The weather has been kinder, the wind more able to be enjoyed (not blowing in our face all the time) and we’ve had more adventures in the small towns adjacent to the ports. 

 

Hiring a motor scooter was a real plus. We zoomed up and down the valleys and mountains like a couple of teenagers, wind in the face, sharing the country lanes with mountain goats. 

Spartakori harbour

A tiny church in the middle of nowhere

Our road trips took us through the small lanes and villages of the island. You still find old women dressed in black, walking the streets carrying shopping or even sitting weaving and spinning. 

Although probably for tourists, the images and experiences were wonderful.

Meganisi is an absolutely beautiful island, yet to be exploited and spoiled by rampant tourism. The only problem for this and many of the islands in the Ionian is the temptation to allow the kitsch culture to take over.