Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent

Isaac Asimov

History is an interesting thing. Humanity is also rather interesting, confusing but interesting. We left the town of Kas, on the southern coast of turkey and crossed maybe 3 kilometer of water arriving at Greek island of Kastellorizo (Megisti) and went through customs, having to leave our passports with the police there

After World War I the islands in the Mediterranean were granted to Greece. Seems funny having these islands just off the Turkish coast belong to Greece but the world is funny. And there is a large military presence on the Greek island, apparently half the island is military land. There is a large warship loaded with cruise misses and such at the village. As there was a military ship at Kas, which Charles and I toured. All over there is military presence. I guess falls into the category of if you hate me I will hate you, despite being neighbors. Humanity? apparently the Greeks here can buy perishable items in Kas and get a local customs permit to cross back and forth without problem, but non perishable items have to come from the isle of Rhode’s, a distance of 150 kilometer. There is a 10 year wait list to build a house with the backup of supplies.

The town of Megisti is a quaint town currently resident population of about 360 and double that if you include military living here. Used to be 14000, but the town was bombed in World War I by the Germans.

A short drove to west side of island brought us to some limestone cliffs which one tiny area has a small entry into a cave. The blue cave. 2 kayaks and paddle board went in, but did not think entry possible as a bit of wave action. Some tour boats outside with people swimming in. But we took the dinghy and started in having to lay completely on floor as only a meter at most clearance and wave action changing height constantly. But entry then was amazing. At first I thought “wow, they have lighted this cave”. There is an iridescent blue color. It is all natural light from the entry through the water.

I started to swim back to our ship just motoring a hundred meters off the cave. Too deep to anchor. A tour boat in little runabout stopped me saying too dangerous, despite our crew granting permission for me. Tour boat made me get in their boat and wait until his tourist boarded. Our dinghy arrived but tour boat operator said do not go there, but I jumped in anyway. Enver said when back on board, to not listen to people I don’t know, but the tour operator kept blocking my way. We figure the tour boat did not want to set a precedence of swimming. Oh well whatever.

Back to town others wanted to hike the hill to castle and church, but I just wanted to sit at sidewalk cafe, have a beer, and absorb the town life. Ned joined me and we had a delightful time, which 4 beers helped. Jeanne joined us, and the proprietor thrilled us with various answers to various questions. His English quite adequate. Another beer enroute to rendezvous with rest of group.

A delightful meal Enver had a giant pork chop which one can’t have in turkey,due to Muslim no pork rule. I had thinly sliced raw sea bass, covered in caviar, jeanne-4 apparently delicious big prawns, and squid as an appetizer for all along with fried sardines. Absolutely delicious meal.

Slept on board boat in harbor, walked to bakery in am for morning bread, and breakfast. Then off again to this uninhabited island (except military) for snorkeling swimming, kayaking etc delightful

Now approaching Kas, Turkey again where will spend night. Hoped for a quiet anchorage, but alas punched hole in dinghy on the limestone so will spend night to repair.