When we left Pilos and headed for Katakolon, there was still a residual lumpy sea from the 4 day blow but it flattened out and the wind filled in. Infact, it was such a good breeze that we didn’t want to stop! We sailed past Katakolon and altered course for the southern Ionian island of Zakinthos..which we also sailed past on a new course to the next island of Cephalonia..and finally when the wind fizzled, motorsailed the last 2 hours into Vathi, on the island of Ithica. We arrived around 11 pm into a very full anchorage, but dead calm conditions. After wandering around for 30 minutes, we finally nudged our way to the head of the bay and anchored in 6 feet of water. It was a lively night in town and we enjoyed jazz and blues music coming from a few tavernas on shore. It felt like a different place and quite festive, since our first visit in May, and definitely busier on the water and ashore.
We left the next morning after sun up and headed North towards Manganisi island. There were charter boats everywhere, and even though we could have squeezed in and stern tied to shore in one of the bays, decided against it. Instead, we dropped a lunch hook in a pretty little bay around the corner, and enjoyed tranquil swims in clear water. It was a good spot to finish filling the water tanks before heading on to Vlikho Bay on the island of Levkas.