Sailing to Lemnos part 2

Sailing to Lemnos Island, part 2

 

When Sail Boats got Engines

 

A Turner painting of steam and sail



The Mavrellis Family Coming to Lemnos

Takis grandfather George and grandmother Ephterpi become wealthy enough in Egypt to hire their own boat once a year to bring their many children and servants to Lemnos for their summer holidays. Evidently they also brought two cows with them as well. One was slaughtered immediately for meat, while the other was to be killed half way through their stay. Perhaps this was because there are few grasslands on the island and beef and dairy products have rarely been on the menu. The few cows that were kept here in those days were used for farm work and were too precious to kill for food. In Lemnos only the oldest cows were traditionally slaughtered. Still today beef is rarely eaten and chicken and pork are the more typical meats on offer in tavernas.

 
The First World War, Lemnos and Gallipoli


A boat on its way to war

Each May the islanders still remember the 1915 attack on Turkey by the allies. Before the invasions of Gallipoli Lemnos had sheltered more than 30,000 soldiers and Moudros had over 300 ships anchored in the bay. Among those camped along the shoreline at that time were many soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. The injured soldiers were ferried back to Lemnos and housed in temporary tent hospitals set up along the shoreline.

Some boats in Moudros Harbour before they sailed for Gallipoli

 

In Australia commemoration services are held for the hundreds that were slain in that war on April 26, with dawn services and marches all across the country. Not many of the old Anzac soldiers are left to join in the marches now, and it’s their grandchildren who walk alongside today’s soldiers wearing their grandfathers’ medals.

 

One of two WW1 cemetries in Lemnos





Hard to decipher, but shocking to read.







Those who come are struck by the peacefulness of this place





The Anzac story is one that touches the hearts of many younger Australians, and today a growing number of youth make the journey to Turkey for the commemoration service at Gallipoli. Next year is the 100 anniversary of the 1915 attack and it is expected that many will journey again to Lemnos for a remembrance ceremony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charter Yachts

Many tie up in the Myrina port, others in Moudros harbour. Many, as their flags tell you, come from England, Turkey, France and even Australia.

  







A typical harbour for charter vessels

But in harbour you have to watch out







A holiday vessel in the Aegean











 



 



A holiday village offering sail boat experiences





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tourist Trips

Our grandchildren love
Trips on a local wooden boat around the island of Lemnos,
or even to a nearby island called Ayios Efstratios.

 

This boat is called 'Anemos'
                                                                       daily trips,

                                                                                    bookings
                                                                                              6946212294
                                                                                              6945132163

Catching a Local Ferry

The main ferry service Nel Lines who arrive from Thessaloniki once a week and from Kavala more often. From Lemnos you can catch ferries to these ports, or to Lavrio port near Athens, or to some of other Aegean islands such as Lesbos, Chios and Samos.



Some shipping lines from lemnos

See Nel Lines

Pravlis Travel, Online Bookings: www.pravlis.gr