Hydra: In search of Leonard Cohen

With our wandering dinghy firmly attached to Songster with two lines, we went to bed excitedly anticipating the arrival the next day of our friends, Colin and Wendy.  It was so great to see them and I don’t think we stopped talking for the whole 8 days of their visit.

Approaching the harbour of Poros

Wendy getting off the ferry

After a delicious Greek lunch we went to the boat, up anchor and motored about a mile to Russian Bay for a cooling swim then back to the anchorage at Navy Bay near Poros port for sundowners – a luxurious prototype of how we would be spending the next week.

Another beautiful sunset

The next day we were up early to catch the ferry to Hydra (Υδρα).  We had been told that the harbour and anchorages on the island were too small and crowded for yachts and it was best to take the 30 minute ferry ride to the island.

Arriving in Hydra

What an idyllic Greek Island.  There are no cars or motorbikes.  Supplies and people are transported by foot, boat or donkey/mule. 

Transporting supplies by mule

After enjoying the busy waterfront we decided to walk south along the coast.  There we came across a German woman named Dagmar who was setting up paintings for sail.  The artists in Colin got to chatting with Dagmar and it turned out that she has a farm in Bellingen and many mutual acquaintances.  What a small world!  What are the chances of walking along a cobblestone path on a small Greek Island and meeting someone from your hometown!

Dagmar selling paintings

  

Beautiful views around every corner

We walked on and found a lovely beach where Wendy had a dip and the rest just got our feet wet and then all had a cold drink before walking back and finding a tavern for lunch.

Wendy having a dip

The beach from the cliff

Our mission in Hydra was to find Leonard Cohen’s house.  Cohen lived in Hydra in the 1960’s with his muse and lover, Marianne.  The house is still in the family and Cohen has become a favourite son of the island.   We asked directions to the house but still managed to get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets above the harbour.  At one point we lost both Bob and Colin but finally regrouped and found the house near the Four Corner supermarket.  

The cobbled streets of Hydra

Bob and I sitting on the doorstep of Leonard Cohen's house

Humming Leonard Cohen songs, we made our way back to the port and headed north to the little village of Mandraki for a swim and beer.  The water was delightful and the setting superb.  On the way back to the town we came upon an art exhibit which had several paintings of the donkeys of Hydra.  This brought on many reminiscences of the Shamballa’s donkeys, Zack and Molasses.  Colin and Wendy struck up quite a rapport with the artist.

Art exhibit - Colin and Wendy with the artist

We watched the sunset over the island – a perfect end to a perfect day.