Taste of the Meltimi

The Meltimi is the name of the strong wind that blows from the Black Sea to the north down over the Aegean islands of Greece.  It is relentless and blows 30-40 knot gusts for days at a time, with periods of dead calm betwen episodes.  The typical months for the Meltimi winds are June through early September, so technically speaking, we should be out of Meltimi season.  Not so.

Just 10 days ago, the kids and I were swealtering in Navpaktos at temps near 100F.  The just like someone through a switch the wind started blowing and the temperature is dropping.  I remember Amy commenting that this is how it happens.  The kids dont care, though, just being around these beautiful water is fun, it doesnt change their motivation to swim.  Even the the air is cooling, the water is unbelievably clear and just as warm as a calm day. 

We moved from a tiny town called Aliki on the SW side of Paros to Livati on the eastern side. It is a cute little town (with those white houses) with a ½ dozen or so taverns and trinket shop or so.  Frankly, I love the look but I find all those white houses to be confusing!  I am a landmark person, so it really messes with my head to remember to turn at the white house.  There is a beach nearby where the kids played until after sundown.  Watching them be so carefree playing in the sand and surf assures me that this trip was the best thing for us…and for them.  I feel like we are giving our kids the kind of childhood that the kids were meant to have.  I hope that we can figure out a way to bring this home with us rather than keep it as a memory of a far away place.

Tomorrow we move to Naxos, the island to our east and the largest in the Cyclades, on the North West side.  It is just a 12 mile crossing, but we will be headed almost directly into the wind.  That means maybe we go 2-3 knots, and Code really hates to go slow.  I dont mind so much, as in general I am more of the turtle and he is a hare, however, I have to say it is a whole lot of work to go 2 miles an hour.  It feels like we are literally pushing the boat uphill, and walking (or swimming) would be easier).  We will have lots to do on Naxos, including taking a ferry to other islands, possibly Santorini, since it is too windy to sail there.