14th June - Ponti - Porto Katsiki
After looking for a relaxing breakfast at the restaurant across the road (all closed - seemed they were all still asleep) I wandered down to the local mini-market and picked up a pastry and some fruit and went for a walk along the back of the beach. I noticed a sign to Club Vass and it promised being open all day and providing, food drink and internet access.
I walked into Club Vass, which is a windsurfer focussed accommodation and recreation establishment, and stepped up to the verandah overlooking the grassed area where the windsurfers were prepared and onwards to the beach, and asked about WiFi. There was a confident yes from the staff. I relaxed for a brief period with a cappuccino before heading back to Altina Apartments to plan the day ahead.
I decided I would do some washing, have a swim and work on the website offline throughout the morning and head to Porto Katsiki in the afternoon.
Vasiliki Bay
Again the water was fabulous and it was a lovely little swim in the clear, shallow water.
I worked on the website, in preparation for a later upload, while enjoying a fresh salad for lunch.
After good progress on the website I decided it was time to head off for Porto Katsiki Beach.
Porto Katsiki Beach is consistently voted one of the best European beaches and can be very, very popular. The road out of Vasiliki Bay winds up the hill to give some spectacular views back towards Vassiliki Bay. Once towards the top of the mountain the road winds through several small villages before it reaches the west coast of Lefkada. The road along the west coast of Lefkada to Porto Katsiki is on the side of the steep mountain that eventually drops down to the water's edge. Again the road runs through several small villages before the turn down to Porto Katsiki.
The steep coastline north of Porto Katsiki
Looking towards Porto Katsiki
As a result of the fairly strong winds the sea had whipped up a bit of swell that was washing more strongly against the shore and disturbing the white sediments. Although this created a beautiful colour the water was rather murky.
Porto Katsiki
Porto Katsiki
Porto Katsiki - it is not sand, they are smooth rocks.
Porto Katsiki - the quiet end of the beach
Porto Katsiki - the stairs.
As I was approaching my parked motorcycle I noticed four other people getting dressed into jeans, boots, jackets etc next to their motorcycles. The two couples were on a (relatively) short break and had stopped off at Porto Katsiki for a quick swim similar to me.
We all readied ourselves to return in the general direction of the eastern coast together, out of our swimmers and back into the motorbike acceptable hot outfits.
I followed them for a short period (after I collected my wallet and camera from the road…..I should remember to put them in my pocket). My unloaded and individual GS was happy to go a little quicker that their 2-up cruisers so I soon tooted bye bye.
By following the signs the route back was slightly different to the way over so I was able to see some different villages and landscape.
Before dropping all the way back down to Vasiliki Bay I took a quick image…..
View towards Vasiliki Bay
After the reasonably quick trip and brief swim at Porto Katsiki I returned to Ponti to confirm the internet and dinner situation at Club Vass - I was also was happy to cool down a little with a nice cold beer.
Back at Altina Apartments I was rather hot and sweaty after riding the bike (despite the swim at Porto Katsiki) and hopped in the shower. I had let it run for a while and hoped it would get hot soon……(not that I needed a hot shower). The water was OK although definitely not hot - I didn't mind because my core temperature was hot enough after riding in the heat. I accepted the lack of noticeable hot water and moved on (still sweating).
I returned to Club Vass with the necessary IT resources, found a seat nearest the strongest WiFi signal, ordered a beer and set about finalising an update…..this process took ages, with multiple shutdowns, restarts and stopped uploads. Throughout the process I had some beers and pizza and chatted to some of the staff at Club Vass - it seems most are British, interested in windsurfing and come to work the summer and improve their windsurfing as work permits.
It went on forever trying to upload the update. I had to stop and start several times. Eventually the software program said all was done - thank goodness. As a result the quick update ended up being a rather drawn out affair and resulted in a fairly late night….and as mentioned above ore than 1 beer.
15th June - Ponti
I was late to rise (after the lengthy website update) and it was another warm and wonderfully clear and sunny day at Vasiliki Bay and I was happy to be staying.
I had a shower, although it didn't seem hot. The weather was rather warm, I was beside the sea so I was OK. When I went to mention the hot water nobody was there.
I went downstairs and across the road where I had pre-agreed to have brekky - bacon and eggs. Since I hadn't had a shower, and was probably out earlier than anticipated, I had a short wait until the staff arrived and then again for the bacon and eggs.
After brekky I was ready for a swim. After a quick swim and a rinse I decided I would enter the grounds of Hotel Grand Nefeli (their WiFi had been occasionally strong enough to connect to in the restaurant near where I was staying) to see if legitimate use of their WiFi would be OK.
Hotel Grand Nefeli had good WiFi, good food, good drink, good surrounds, good Stand Up Paddle Boards and pretty good hosts. I settled in for the rest of the morning, and then the afternoon to work on the website.
Some working on the website at Hotel Grand Nefeli
After the lengthy process the day before I managed to type-up and upload a couple more days much more quickly. It was a productive day.
To celebrate I rented a stand up paddle board for an hour. The water is amazing and the wind is much less of an issue close to the mountains so I went a fair way out along the mountain shoreline. The whole process is more exercise than excitement since the water is so still. The bay is so clear it is not unit you can no longer see the bottom that you realise it must be getting deeper.
After an hour of SUP flat water I returned and showered by the beach.
I returned to Altina Apartments, checked the hot water which wasn't working, and was thankful I wasn't actually dirty…
I dried off and went downstairs and across the road to one of the restaurants for another fresh and tasty diner.
The view across Vasiliki Bay
16th June - Ponti
I awoke and tested the hot water, hopeful I could get a lovely, hot shower to start the day…..not today…..
I waited patiently for the staff to arrive at 'my breakfast place'. Once again I enjoyed bacon and eggs and cappuccino after they arrived. Gotta love the relaxed approach by some Greeks …..
This time I didn't accept the lack of hot water - I simply didn't shower. When I went for a swim after breakfast and found the hostess out swimming too…..I mentioned the lack of hot water - I am pretty sure she understood and gave the impression she was on the case…..She indicated that the hot water would be there by around midday….
I spent the remainder of the day working this website - with a brief check on the hot water status around 1pm.
The work on tis website was much more successful than the hot water…..
I checked the hot water in the afternoon and it wasn't working - the hostess shrugged……as though that's the way it is and said something about him coming soon….
I went back to Grand Nefeli and continued on the website.
After working on this website and another SUP session by the time I returned it was around 7pm…..I had previously been given an assurance that there would be hot water around lunchtime - there wasn't and again later and there wasn't. I asked on my way to the room and was given the assurance that everything was fixed……………
anyway (already long story slightly shorter)….no hot water (it's coming…)…….. complain……offered a new room at hotel next door that has hot water (get that room free and still pay for room without hot water - even if I don't stay there…..)….view room with hot water….it has hot water shower. So I use that room for a hot shower and a shave, then leave the place wet and go back to my room.
Another wonderfully fresh seafood dinner at one of the restaurants across the road from the accommodation and an 'odd' drink in a cave nearby…..
By now I was looking forward to leaving all that was good about Vasiliki Bay tomorrow.