All together in 2002 we have sailed 276 days on 30 yachts. The sea being unstable and unpredictable, we had no serious bad events except this main sail torn on Alain's OCEANIS 461 at SYMI. The skipper Anne Marie succeeded to fulfil the whole cruise anyway. 

The feedback from you was very positive; That encourages us to keep on the same options. 

Already one year passed since the 2001 report! This year confirmed the last year good increase of our cruises.

Servanne and myself who hold your holidays in our hands did our best to manage even the unpredictable. 

Rhodes May 6th 2002: The team of LEXIS NUMERIQUE http://www.lexis-numerique.fr/  came to GREECE to shoot part of their future interactive CD ROM. We became then players with the real actors in a mini-cruise in the islands on a super BAVARIA 47. The encounter of virtual and  real.

Meanwhile, François, Stephane and the others discovered the DODECANESE archipelago on their luxurious 60'. All these High tech items that make your holidays more 'civilized'. 

Fred and Gauthier back in the area! One cannot be bored of our islands. The topic was while surfing on the waves back to Rhodes. Gauthier controlled the whole thing and we could guess that he had a tremendous time looking at his smile!  

Back to the earth is the reward of the sailor. It was celebrated at the French restaurant  'LE BISTROT' http://auberge.bistrotrhodes.com  with the LEXIS NUMERIQUE team about to move to FRANCE.

A few days later, Eric was inviting me to share this cruise on a beautiful white seagull called ATHENA. ATHENA is a catamaran. Great feeling while planning at 15 knots of speed between NAXOS and PAROS towards the SMALL CYCLADES. The ladies were discussing inside looking at the scenery through the wide windows, the crew standing outside, well protected by the roof, hands in the pockets. The stability of this type of yacht make it an ideal raft for holidays. Benoit, who sailed this type of yacht in TURKEY with Ester won't argue with me.

What a great idea to have a sailing cruise in the country of the gods as a honey moon!  Patrick and Chrystel realized their dreams totally. Eolos and Poseidon were favorable to the young couple sailing on this BAVARIA 37. And such a beautiful nuptial suite in only 11 meters!

The other side of the border, Steven and Helen jumped from the US to discover TURKEY by sea. They managed easily to sail their small yacht through the gulfs starting from GOCEK. GOCEK is a wonderful port settled in nature, close to the airport. 

In TURKEY again, Pierre, Dominique and Alice on another beautiful seagull had the most relaxing time with Yann (the other Yann) and Ester, their expert guides.  

Meanwhile, mid-July, Anne Marie crossed again the sea to meet Philippe and his family at ATHENS. They first discovered the CYCLADES and ended in the quiet waters of AEGINA, in the SARONIKOS GULF.

Here is Jean-Pierre's son Pierre trying to imitate his father, an Air France pilot, taking off.

This year, Arnaud took advantage of the catamaran by beaching at night. 

There are other advantages as an average speed of 9 knots. The girls enjoyed it, but enjoyed also being quick to their swimming, fishing area, and to discover the land around. 

 Here is Adele at KITHNOS.     

We have been particularly active in August when 9 yachts left almost together. BELGIUM was specially represented by Charles and his friends. They sailed the whole DODECANESE and even part of the CYCLADES. This is a long trip, but very little for these travelers of 'Doctors without borders. Congratulation to all of you, especially Bertrand who was a great skipper, Charles said.    

In the same time, Henri and his family discovered with Francois the BAVARIA 38 capabilities under sail. Henri wishes to buy a yacht but we hope that he will be able to enjoy our seas again... One does not forget the charms of the AEGEAN SEA, especially when the sun plays with the sea. 

 Jacques, who has a very good sailing experience by now, decided to re-visit the CYCLADES that we crossed through too quickly some years ago.  Now we started from PAROS, the center of the archipelago. The good old GIB SEA 444 gives confidence to his host. Her performances lead us to the most remote bays in the area, where very few yachts already dropped their anchors. By chance there is always a tavern by an oar range in GREECE...

That leads to serious sailing courses and docking maneuvers  with Jean-luc. Here in SIFNOS. 

At DELOS, in front of the island of the gods, the 'man over board' maneuvers took us some time; the gods must have been disturbed. 

End of August, Ester lead Doris and her friends of the desert in CALIFORNIA, through the DODECANESE archipelago. A OCEANIS 47'3, 14.30 meters for 5 persons, that is quite comfortable. Ester reports that, even under 35 knots of wind, 10 knots of speed, the books were outside! Sport and culture.

In September, Anne Marie always on the move, went to SKIATHOS to meet our friends from BELGIUM: Jean Noel, Mimi and their friends.  once again Anne Marie was a big part of the success of the cruise.

On our way we happened to reach SANTORINI. The view from the steps over our yacht was impressive. 

But the view from the sea was even more impressive...

SIFNOS mid-September offers typical Greek scenery. From the village of CASTRO.

Escapes on earth to discover ancient history, medieval history and the actual live of the natives. Here is a marble quarry in NAXOS and Jean- Luc on the bike before he ran out of gas...

Then Bob and Kaye decided that the climate should be better in GREECE than in ALASKA in November. They were absolutely right! The above photo was shot on November 22d between HYDRA and SPETSAI. The program: long walks to discover the islands, the monasteries in the morning; sailing, swimming before lunch. The air was 21/23 Celsius, the sea the same. How is the weather now in ALASKA, Bob? I learned that it is not that bad there as soon as you live close to the sea.   

We shot all the photos ourselves this year. Those who do not find them in this report, we do not forget them as they had their part of adventure with us, but they didn't send photos!  Jean Jacques, well known from the  DODECANESE to the SPORADES, Hillel, Yves-Constant, Dominique, Pierre who faced the wind MELTEMI the first day of his cruise, Alan who could do it this year at last from far WASHINGTON STATE..., Antonia and her family, Bruno with Thierry, we thank you all for your confidence.    

Looking forward to meeting you under the sunny Aegean for a new adventure!

All the best for the new year!

Yann, Servanne and little assistant 'Microsoft' still thinking much about life...

and our friends skippers/guides Anne Marie, Ester, Yann, Francois, Bertrand, Thierry, Jean, Helen, Daniel.

Report 2001