AHOY, M' MATES:
IS THIS CRETE?
By Patrick van Osch

       
  In the very first edition of The Ko-Go Khronicles we welcomed Patrick and Natasha Lieftink and their family, who moved from Holland to Kokkini Hani and became partners in the Cafeteria Wuiby’s. In that story we mentioned that Natasha’s parents also will come to live here. Well, they have arrived – by two completely separate routes!

Natasha's father, Johan Muller, thought he'd be a bit adventurous and make the trip in his Elan 33 sailing yacht, Thor. He quickly shanghaied a crew consisting of his brother, Peter, and friends, Sjaak and Hans, and was ready to set sail. Well, almost. First, they had to get to the Mediterranean Sea.

Captain Johan checked his maps and decided to begin the adventure from Slovenia. They arrived there by plane in late June – the boat arrived a day later by truck – and in the early evening of June 27 they hoisted the sails of the Thor and the adventure began.

For the first leg of the trip, down the Adriatic Sea, the long arm of the Med, the weather forecast was not good. In fact, a heavy storm was predicted. No sweat for this crew of able-bodied seamen! The first stop was scheduled for Croatia, where, unbeknownst to the Captain, they were required to register at the first Croatian port they came to. However, since it was the middle of the night they sailed on to the next port, and docked at first light. First stop, first troubles.

They were met by the local authorities and issued a citation for not reporting at Croatia's first port. After some negotiations with the friendly police, the fine was reduced from 300 Euros to 150. As they sailed from Croatia, the earlier predictions of a storm came true and for the next three days the crew battled heavy winds and rains. Only when they approached Corfu did the weather change and the sun appear.

After a short stop on Corfu, where a very grateful and energy-drained crew was able to relax and catch its breath, they set sail again and headed directly to Crete. This time the weather was too good – for sailing, at least. For the last leg of the trip the winds were so gentle they had to drop sail and motor part of the way.

Finally, nine days after leaving Slovenia, the crew of the Thor docked at the marina in Gournes – completing a journey of 930 miles, about 1,700 kilometres – where the captain was greeted by his anxious daughter and a classic Cretan sunset. With a combination like that, this sailor knew he was home!

And, what about Natasha's mother, Merie? Well, she was less adventurous and flew over. Or, considering the problems of flying these days, perhaps she was really the more adventurous one!

Johan and Merie, both retired, now reside in Kokkini Hani, renting a house next door to their daughter, Natasha, and her husband, Patrick, and their grandchildren.