Shamballa Cruising Yacht Club: Fournoi

I really liked the little island of Fournoi. It had a very cheerful feel to it. The streets were neat and tidy and the community of 1500 seemed close knit. We tucked into a bay just south of the main village. It was just Three Sheets and Songster there. After we got settled, I hopped in the water to check the anchor and do a bit of snorkeling. The water is still a bit cool for me and I must wear a wet suit. The snorkeling was great though and I saw the best display of fish yet in this fished out Mediterranean. I loved watching the flounder scuttle after a cat fish like bottom feeder getting the scraps stirred up in the symbiotic relationship.

Three Sheets in our private bay

The night was a bit rolly so in the morning the four of us climbed into the dinghy to check out the other little bays and main village for a better spot. Bob has been cursing our dinghy ever since we first put it in the water as being too big and heavy but at times like this it has come in very handy and we had a lot of fun zipping around in it.

When we reached the main village there were quite a few official looking people milling around. Then a boat came on the dock to much fanfare. There were representatives from all 4 services, photographers and little girls carrying flowers to greet the politician who arrived from Athens. No one in the village seemed to know who he was exactly or why he was here and just rolled their eyes at the mention of him.

Service representatives to greet the politician. Check out the heels on the Navy uniform. Can this be regulation?

While the politician was in the restaurant next to where we were having a cold drink a big procession came down the street. At first we thought it was some political protest and got quite excited at the prospect, but it turned out to be a funeral procession. An orange flare was lit on the water and the mourners, all in black, walked slowly from the church to the graveyard to say goodbye to the 54 year old fısherman.

Funeral procession

Flare in honour of the fisherman

We explored the town a bit and checked out some potential spots for dinner then went back to the boats to move them into a more sheltered bay a bit closer to the village.

Neat and tidy streets of Fournoi

The harbour in the main village was strictly a working fishing harbour and there was no room for pleasure yachts. I went snorkeling again and this bay was filled with fish as well. The little taverna in the bay told us of a nice pathway along the cliff face that would take us into the village. It was a wonderfully maintained walkway with fantastic views.

View from the path into the village

We found a restaurant in the village square that had various cuts of pork, lamb and chicken roasting over an open spit. The smell was fantastic and tasted even better. After a delicious meal topped off with Ouzo we walked back along the cliff face and were treated to a beautiful sunset.