Since leaving Zakynthos some days back, we´ve been running from the weather; strong to gale force SE winds forecast. After just a one night stop-over in Poros. we headed for Sami where we would be sheltered from the SE blow. We were only here one night when we both experienced something none of us had before: earth tremors. Not one tremor, but two, the whole boat was shaking. It took us a while to register what had happened. Rushing outside to take a look at what was going on, no one seemed to have taken any notice, everyone seemed to just get on with life as if nothing had happened. People are used to tremors in this part of Greece, it wasn't long ago that Sami - as well as other parts of Cephalonia - was flattened by an earthquake, so just like the rest of Sami we also just got on with what we were doing. It turned out that the centre of the tremor was just outside Poros, where we were the day before.
Sami out of season is a nice quiet town. The ferry arrives almost empty four times a day, a few trucks and cars plus some foot passengers are unloaded, then it sits quietly for what seems hours before leaving agai n, w hich is very different from the summer time when these ferries are packed with holiday makers and as soon as everyone’s off, they shoot out to the next port.
Sami being an all year inhabited town, unlike many of the other towns and hamlets on the islands, there’re still plenty of shops and restaurants still open. The harbour which is normally packed with yachts is almost empty, just two abandoned boats left here for the winter and a few small local fishing boats and a Dutch guy living on a small motor boat. Being side moored to the harbour wall, which is not possible in the summer, people are forever passing by and looking at us, puzzled looks on their faces. They can't work out what we’re doing here so late in the year.
Out of season is when you get the best out of Greece. People are a lot more friendly, the greedy season supermarkets and tavernas with their overpriced products, overcooked food and drinks have closed down and left are local shops and tavernas who cater for the locals.
We have less than two weeks now before our planned date to arrive in Lefkas and with only some 40 miles from where we are here, there’s not much rush for us to move on. We enjoy another day in Sami and give the weather some time to settle before visiting a few more anchorages and harbours where normally you can't swing a cat for boats.
Sami out of season is a nice quiet town. The ferry arrives almost empty four times a day, a few trucks and cars plus some foot passengers are unloaded, then it sits quietly for what seems hours before leaving agai n, w hich is very different from the summer time when these ferries are packed with holiday makers and as soon as everyone’s off, they shoot out to the next port.
Sami being an all year inhabited town, unlike many of the other towns and hamlets on the islands, there’re still plenty of shops and restaurants still open. The harbour which is normally packed with yachts is almost empty, just two abandoned boats left here for the winter and a few small local fishing boats and a Dutch guy living on a small motor boat. Being side moored to the harbour wall, which is not possible in the summer, people are forever passing by and looking at us, puzzled looks on their faces. They can't work out what we’re doing here so late in the year.
Out of season is when you get the best out of Greece. People are a lot more friendly, the greedy season supermarkets and tavernas with their overpriced products, overcooked food and drinks have closed down and left are local shops and tavernas who cater for the locals.
We have less than two weeks now before our planned date to arrive in Lefkas and with only some 40 miles from where we are here, there’s not much rush for us to move on. We enjoy another day in Sami and give the weather some time to settle before visiting a few more anchorages and harbours where normally you can't swing a cat for boats.