May 19
Please watch my Relive video here: https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPQA5nV26
We rode 30 miles, 4,235 ft climbing.
After riding around Nisyros, we lunched and then cruised 4 1/2 hours to the island of Simi.
The port town on Simi is down a wide channel but to access it, the boat had to come through a fairly narrow passageway. Top left photo below shows the narrow entrance.
Cruising through these Greek islands was beautiful, white rock against the brilliant blue waters of the Aegean sea.
Genuinely unbelievable riding in one of the most idyllic Mediterranean Island settings. Climbing up out of the stunning Venetian-influenced town, we had the road to ourselves. With views across the Aegean as far as Turkey and switchbacks to enjoy both up and down, this was an ootnbak I will never forget. 
This ride may have been only 50km but it packed a punch, being essentially two 9km climbs, each gaining around 500m of elevation. However it was more than worth it. We rode over to the Sacred Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael
the Panormitis for a coffee and then back.
Lunch was onboard on our return and from here we will cruised to Marmaris (25NM – 4hr) in the early evening to explore the town before dinner.
Life is good in Simi
We got back onboard the gulets for our last cruise and night. Tomorrow we dock back in Turkey because the gulets are Turkish with Turkish crew, and will clear Customs again.
One more island to ride and conquer!
Symi
Beautiful Symi is guaranteed to evoke oohs and aahs from ferry passengers (let alone private gulet sailors!) before they even get off the boat. The first sight of Gialos harbour, framed against an amphitheatre of pastel-coloured houses rising on all sides, is unforgettable. It’s all thanks to the Italians, who ruled the island almost a century ago and established the neoclassical architectural style that Symi has followed ever since.
Although Symi is far from small, it’s mostly barren and the only settlements are Gialos, the old village of Horio, which sprawls over the hilly ridge behind, and Pedi, down in the valley beyond. One road runs all the way to the monastery at Panormitis, near Symi’s southern tip. The rest of the island is largely deserted, but it’s surrounded by blue coves and small beaches.
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