The Reluctant Sailor

Cefula Sicily Our first stop as we arrived in Italy was in a marina in the city of Reggio Di Calabria.  Our plan was to stay for a few days to recover from our two day sail from Greece.  Knowing nothing about this city, I consulted our trusted Italian Water Pilot book which informed me that, “Reggio is not the most attractive place but it is the safest and most convenient harbor of the East side of the (Messina) Strait.”  Sort of the way one would describe a pair Birkenstock sandals or a homely cousin you are trying to fix up on a date. (While Biff may not have it in the looks department, he does have a steady job, isn’t a drinker, has his own teeth and is thoroughly reliable and available. One could do worse!) Brief history of Reggio-invaded, pirated throughout history, heavily bombed in WWII, and lots of earthquakes. The most destructive occuring in 1980 which pretty much leveled the place. For us cruisers, Reggio’s most notable feature is a native named Saverio who is a taxi driver

  Heavenly view from restaurant on island of Kefalonia  We departed Greece on June 22nd as we began our 48 hour non stop cruising up the Med to our next stop, Italy.  Reflecting back on our six weeks touring the Northern Ionian, it is easy to see why so many tourist flock to Greece each year and many of them, specifically, fellow Europeans decide to give up their homeland and settle in one of Greece’s many idyllic islands and quaint towns on the mainland.  I would consider such a move if there was a chance that a T.J. MAXX and a Dunkin Donuts franchise opened up somewhere there. I miss them both so much! Just an observation about the Greek people....damn nicest folks I have ever met! While I enjoyed meeting my Croatians, the yelling really scared me! The Greeks are chill and go out of their way to make you feel at home. They are also amazing cappuccino drinkers-hot, cold, with froth, no froth.  They drink it while sitting for hours in cafes or while on their motorbikes zipping up and