Kefalonia
Greece

15th - 29th June 2003
Kefalonia, Keffalonia, Kefallinia, Cephalonia. Well however you want to spell it, its only the Western European equivalents from the ancient or modern Greek alphabet. It is the largest of the 'Seven Islands' (Heptanesa) in the Ionian sea. Its area measures approximately 780 square kilometers. As the crow flies, some 45 kilometers from north to south and 43 kilometers from west to east. However travel can be slow due to the high mountains. To the north east and separated by a narrow chanel is the island of Ithaka, (or Ithaca), some 23 kilometers in length.
After a long journey we eventually managed to join up with our friends Dave & Jackie who had sailed their yacht into Agia Evfimia with Sue & Derek on board. We were terribly thirsty after our long journey but they helped us to catch up with litres of beer.
After the beer some of us managed a swim in the beautiful clear blue Mediterranean sea.
Then it was time for Gin on Dave & Jackie's yacht before more alcohol with supper.
The next day we explored the North of the island and found Myrtos beach which those who have seen the film "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" will surely recognise.
The northernmost town is Fiscardo. Here we stopped for lunch sitting just by the sea side watching lots of little fish in the water.
On our second day we explored the south east of the island and had lunch here at Poros.
Another view of Agia Evfimia. We loved it so much we went back today for more photos and another swim.
We were staying at a small village called Karavomylos which is just two kilometres north of Sami which is a major port in the middle of the island on the east side. Sami is a pleasant town and full of restaurants.
The capital is Argostoli which lies in a natural harbour. In 1812 the British built a bridge right across the lagoon, nearly 900 metres long. The arches were high enough for rowing boats to pass underneath. However in 1953 the island was completely devastated by an earthquake that destroyed 70% of all buildings, and the bridge has now sunk to just above water level.
To the north west is the very beautiful village of Asos, situated on a peninsula. Beyond the village is some high ground and the remains of an old fort. To get to the village the road goes round hairpin bends down to sea level.
The village of Asos is a must for all visitors to Kefalonia ka54.jpg (36176 bytes)
We travelled with our car on a boat to the neighbouring island of Ithaka. A journey of about an hour and a quarter as the boat went from Sami right round the southern end of Ithaka and back into the capital of Vathi on the eastern side.
The capital of Ithaka, Vathi is very well protected, tucked well back in a natural harbour. Very lovely little village full of boats in the harbour.
At the northern end of Ithaka is a tiny village called Frikes where we had a long slow lunch washed down with much beer.
Our hotel, the Athina Beach Hotel at Karavomylos which is about two kilometres round the coast, north from Sami.
The hotel is run by Makis Filippatos who speaks excellent English and is always ready to help anyone. He is assisted by his mother and his sister.
High in the mountains above the town of Sami are the remains of the old monastery. Like so many of the buildings it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1953. A new church has been built alongside.
A return trip to Poros we found this lovely bit of coast line.
And the harbour at Poros.
The Kipourian monastery is perched high on a cliff on the extreme western coast of Kefalonia out on the Lixouri peninsula. The original buildings were all destroyed in the earthquake but very pleasant new buildings and gardens have been reconstructed.
Standing in the monastery gardens you can look over a low wall to the sea below.
The small town of Lixouri on the western peninsula is the second largest town after Argostoli the capital.