Sailing Journal https://www.southpacificengagement.com “S/V Beautiful Swimmer — 1984 Dufour 35 Tall Rig Now available in Guaymas, Mexico | $35,000” Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:09:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.southpacificengagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/cropped-IMG_1338-scaled-1.jpeg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Sailing Journal https://www.southpacificengagement.com 32 32 no“S/V Beautiful Swimmer — 1984 Dufour 35 Tall Rig Now available in Guaymas, Mexico | $35,000” End of cruising 2025 : Stopped by Lipsi and Arki before heading back to the boatyard  https://www.southpacificengagement.com/2026/05/05/end-of-cruising-2025-stopped-by-lipsi-and-arki-before-heading-back-to-the-boatyard/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=end-of-cruising-2025-stopped-by-lipsi-and-arki-before-heading-back-to-the-boatyard Tue, 05 May 2026 16:15:11 +0000 https://www.southpacificengagement.com/?p=40779 This post is a continuation of my previous journey…

We sailed from Vathy to lovely Lipsi before the wind got strong and will stay docked for a few nights.

October 30th, 2025
Vathy → Lipsi

Sailing to Lipsi in November—and having it almost to ourselves…
The dock wasn’t crowded, though we still had to stern tie. Someone comes by for the dock fees, and a truck collects the garbage in the morning.
Lipsi does a great job keeping the island clean and well managed.

The next morning, Andreas and Les walk to Platis Gialos Beach, while I go by bicycle. The roads are empty, with stone walls.
I rode my bicycle and had to push it up some steep hills. Along the way, I saw cows, donkeys, and horses. 
At the beach, the water is clear and turquoise with a white sandy bottom. With no crowds, it feels quiet and open.

Platis Gialos Beach

The quiet season in Lipsi

Next day – It’s likely a sunny but windy day. Les and Andreas went ahead to Monodrendi Beach. The name means “single tree,” referring to a lonesome pine tree growing on the flat, sloping rocks at the edge of the beach.

I biked there later and was stopped by cows near a church, didn’t risk passing… and missed the famous lone tree.

November 2nd, 2025
Lipsi → Arki

We departed Lipsi and made our way to Arki, a small and quiet island in the Dodecanese.

You may be interested in reading this column.
: Greece’s last island paradise? – From the BBC

Arki

Sunset Over Arki

In November, it feels strange at first—goats are everywhere on Arki Island, moving slowly across dry hills and stone paths, yet goat meat is almost impossible to find.

It’s a quiet seasonal shift. The animals are not part of a constant food supply here; they are part of a living cycle. Through winter, they are kept for milk, breeding, and cheese-making, not slaughtered for meat. What looks like abundance in the landscape doesn’t translate into what is available to cook.

So the idea of preparing something like lemon goat becomes more of a memory than a practical plan. The island holds the animals, but the season holds back the dish.

November 4th, 2025

Arki – Leros

We sailed from Arki to Leros, docking at Lakki Marina.

We came in to allow Andrea and Les to depart the following day by ferry. While at the marina, we had a lovely surprise—meeting Theresa and Paul aboard S/Y Iduna II again. We had previously sailed together in Montenegro the year before, so it was great to reconnect.

During our stay, we also arranged a haul-out appointment.

Not ready to head back to the boatyard yet, so we’re just going to hang out in Lipsi a bit longer.

Leros – Lipsi – Boatyard

The cat who chose my hat
A Beach Cat Sleeping on My Hat at Panteli Beach

Lakki – Lipsi

You may be interested in reading this column | Why a trip to Patmos and Lipsi is the best of Greek island living – Written by The Condé Nast Traveller

Lipsi – Staying on

We returned to Lipsi, docking side-tied on the quay. (Middle sailboat) It was November, and the strong wind came again.

On the same day, Philippe, a French man, came by to say hello. He had just arrived on the island to take care of two cats at a house owned by French owners. He invited us for dinner, and we spent the evening exchanging stories and experiences.

Back to The boatyard

Phil is still working on his boat. He has done a great job fitting out his boat with equipment imported from Australia.
The cats at the boatyard always make it more fun to go back. They each have names.

Hard to leave the boatyard cats behind….Until we meet again.

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