My son Thorben arrived on Samos and in Ormos Marathokampou Marina on May 20th, 2024. After some nice lunch in the great Trata restaurant right next to the marina we left for Patmos.
It was a rather windy day – the gust forecast from the ECMWF was about 25 kts of wind so we left with reefed sails. Good decision – as the maximum gust recorded was about 30 kts, almost 7 bft.
On that day we anchored West of Makronisi – a nice, wide, sandy anchorage to relax. On Tuesday it was a short trip to Patmos, Paralia Pikri Nero. Thorben worked with my tiny “laptop power-bank” and we enjoyed the quiet there.
The trip on the following day started rather slow and continued rather relaxed with the exception of some tiny gusts around a passing shower. Wednesday afternoon we arrived on Fourni, in front of the nice Aspa beach. Spending two nights there was very peaceful again. The first night alone, on the second evening a Canadian boat joined. Aspa beach is one of my favourite places to stay in the Dodecanese. In front of two nudist beaches which are difficult to access from land – even in summer only very few people find their way there.
On Friday the winds were calm enough to pass the Fourni channel (between the Northern end of Fourni and the South-Western corner of Samos). Wind was from the NE and we had a smooth ride after motoring to the North of Fourni. Our next anchorage was Limnionas at Samos. Not knowing whether the outboard engine would work, we inflated the SUP, mounted the kayak seat and Thorben practiced a bit. He needed to be fit as a water taxi driver – his friend Mai-Lin was due to arrive at the beach on that afternoon in order to spend two days with us on the boat.
All worked great, all her luggage fit in a waterproof bag – and she even brought a chess-game as a present. So now, chess can be played on the Fortuna Princess!
The next day we mostly spent at Ormos Marathokampou Marina, enjoying that little town and the hospitality of Stephan and his family. It was a great week with my son – and Mai-Lin! And I’m looking forward to welcoming them back on board!
