The Big Blue

Kayaking off Milos, Greece

Ramming speed: Stu and Henrik face- on to the wind

As the plane flew out of Athens there was a sensation of flying through an infinite blueness. Blue sea, blue sky. We were headed to Milos for some kayaking with Aussie geologist-turned kayaking supremo, Rod Feldtmann.

It's dark in there..photo: Rod

As we landed, we could see it was quite windy. White tops whipped across the bay as the taxi sped us to the hill-side village of Triovassalas. A few hours later, we met Rod and the sea kayakers already salty and wind blown from the days' paddling. They'd spent the day in a Force 5, and they looked very alive.

Milos boathouses

Not knowing what to expect, it was a pleasant surprise to find that we were enthusiastically hauled into this group of amazing people from the word go. About as different from each other as you could get, but united in this love of getting close up and personal with the sea in these funny little blobs of plastic. It just worked.



Each day, taking off with a trailer load of plastics, we clambered into the sea to paddle. Each day, a different coastline, and each day a different set of skills. By night, a rapture of food at tavernas hidden in white back streets and Metaxa-fueled discussions about Kayaks, the Universe, and Everything.

"I believe in the elements..." one of our number said, staring into his glass.

Indeed it does



Having had a wet winter, the whole island was knee deep in flowers

Cormorant-filled skerries

Dave admiring the seascapes to rival Fingal's Cave

Stu rockhopping



Looking back on this trip, it's hard to know where the horizon lines are. The boundaries of my paddling experience and skills have been well and truly pushed. I've spent time upside down in the big blue, and upright on the surface, and learnt to enjoy it whichever way up I am. We've looked at amazing rocks with a skilled geologist, and pieced together a volcano in our minds. And I've had my faith in human nature re-plumped, and had a good laugh all the way.


Heavy clapotis, anyone? Photo: Rod



As the plane flew out of Milos, we flew through that intense blue again. Blue sea, blue sky.