Gouvia Marina Ski Trip

From Marina to Mountain

Setting sail repairs and antifouling tasks aside, Gouvia Marina went Skiing. A group of happy sea lovers, left Corfu to seek out the snow and try their sea legs on skis. Snowboarders and skiers of all levels took to the slopes for a weekend of fun.

The North of Greece is a magical place in the winter, the highest mountain peaks glisten with snow. The ferry ride to the mainland, followed by a 2 hour coach journey, flew by, thanks to the nibbles, refreshments and high spirits.

Lanoi Hotel - Samarina

http://www.lanoi.gr/index_en.php
 
We arrived at the hotel and were greeted with a extremly cosy atmosphere, open fire and warm welcome.
The rooms did not disappoint either. A warm cosy room, traditional but modern decor, The bed was wonderfully soft and overy comfortable. The Duvet was the really heavy kind that pins you to the bed and devours you.
This is then crowned with the most picturesque view you could hope for.

Beautiful surroundings, Wonderful atmosphere, Welcoming family, Fantastic facilities.
A truly fantastic hotel. 


Vasilitsa Ski Resort

The North of Greece is home to a wide variety of ski slopes. The Metsovo Area now has 5 impressive working slopes. However, Vasilitsa remains undiscovered to a certain extent.

Sat within the Pindos Mountain range, nearly 2000m at it's highest altitude, Vasilitsa Ski slopes snake through gatherings of beautiful black pine trees. The picturesque setting not only has the perfect conditions for the advanced snowboarder or skier, it is a wonderful untouched area.

Home to Wild Boar and Brown Bears, the beauty may fool you. The chance of meeting a bear is slim, but you may be lucky enough to witness wild boar in their natural habitat.

You will also find on location, bars and a cafe, to warm up, chill out, recoup, spectate, or to simply soak up the atmosphere, while the DJ spins his tunes, all day long.
Ski Hire and Toilets are also onsite. The neighbouring villages all contain accomodation for rent. You will find a fantastic choice of Hotels, Villas, Rooms, Apartments and Chalets.


How to Get There?

• Ferry from Corfu - 1hr 45mins
• Drive/Hire Car - Approx - 90Euro (total cost inc fuel) - Approx 2hrs 30mins drive.
•  Locate local Accommodation
• Ski

*Be aware there are no Banks or Cash machines locally!

Weather Forecast 

Link - http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Vasilitsa

This is simply another reason, why Corfu is such a superb location all year round.
From sailing in Summer, to skiing in Winter, Boredom is impossible. 

Water Toys and Gadgets

 Fun NEW products on sale this season

  Perusing some of the Superyachts in Gouvia Marina, you would expect them to have everything you could ever imagine. 


  This is true to a certain extent, some even have their own Garages, filled with some of the most exciting water sport gadgets around.

 However, new technologies are being created all the time. So, I have compiled a list of some of the coolest fun nautical products I have discovered online. 

1. Bounce Splash Water Trampoline

http://www.yachtdiver.com/bounce-splash-water-trampoline.shtml

The 'Bounce-N-Splash Padded Water Bouncer' offers bouncing trampoline fun on the Water! 

2. The 'HotTug'

Link - http://www.hottug.nl/hottug_en.htm

The HotTug is a wood-fired hot tub, that floats and cruises while you enjoy a a warm jacuzzi.

3. Hydro Bike

Link - rdrmarine.com/products/plasticWaterToys.html

The HydroBike is a bike with a twist. Propel yourself along the water on this great new aquatic sports gadget.
  Don't miss out on this fantastic product.


4. Inflatable Water Toys

LINK - http://rdrmarine.com/products/inflatableWaterToys.html

Pack maximum fun and excitement into an easily manageable package with these fun inflatable water toys.

5.Hydro Bronc

LINK chinesewaterball.com/product/detail-362-.html

The water walker, for land or sea. Ride the ocean waves. Hydro Bronc is human powered and great exercise. 

Earthquake Shook Corfu

Today, at 10.04 am, An Earthquake measuring 4.5 hit North of Corfu. Everyone paused as the ground shook and objects rattled. If you were on board a yacht at the time, you would have felt nothing out the ordinary. (Or if you were fast asleep like myself, you missed it completely) 

As we sit surrounded by fault lines, there is a guarantee of some reasonable earthquakes being felt throughout the year.
Poseidon, God of the Seas, also known as 'Earthshaker' is pertinent to the Island.
Lover of many. Father of an array of children. Pursuing, conquesting and kidnapping women were his traits. Both Godesses and mortal women were on his list.
Corfu is named after one of his conquests, korkyra. 
Regardless if you believe the myths or not, the Earthshaker was definately present today.

JUICY FRUIT OVERFLOW!

OUR ISLAND IS DROWNING IN JUICE.....

EVERY SAILOR NEEDS AN ORANGE...

CORFU AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS A SEA OF ORANGE AND GREEN.

THE TREES ARE LADEN WITH SO MUCH FRUIT, THEY STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT THEIR OWN BRANCHES.

LEMONS, GRAPEFRUITS, BLOOD ORANGES, NAVEL ORANGES, CLEMENTINES, SATSUMAS, MARMALADE ORANGES,  ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE JUICY VARIETIES THAT FLOURISHES IN THIS ENVIRONMENT. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUICY. RIPE. ORGANIC. FRUITY.
FULL OF FLAVOUR. DELICIOUS.
TASTY. SUN RIPENED. RICH IN VITAMINS AND MINERALS.YUM. BURSTING WITH VITAMIN C.
HEALTHY. 100% GREEK. FROM
CORFU WITH LOVE. PEACE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNFORTUNATELY, IF YOU ARE VISITING THE MARINA IN THE SUMMER, YOU MISS OUT ON THE EXTREMELY GENEROUS, ORANGE GROVE ECOSPHERE WHICH COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE ISLAND. 
ENTWINNED WITHIN THE OLIVE GROVES THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF FRUIT JUST WAITING TO BE PLUCKED FROM THE STRAINING OVERTIRED BRANCHES OF THE FRUIT TREES. ONCE YOU HAVE THAT MINIATURE SUNSHINE IN YOUR HAND, IT'S UP TO YOU WHAT YOU DO WITH IT. 

SQUEEZE IT. DRINK IT. MARMALADE IT. FREEZE IT.
PULP IT. JAM IT. CURD IT. SORBET IT.
MIX IT. BAKE IT. SAUCE IT. JUICE IT.
OR JUST EAT IT! 

LETS NOT FORGET THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SAILOR AND THE CITRUS! WHILE SCURVY IS NOT SO POPULAR THESE DAYS, IT IS WORTH REMEBERING THE QUALITIES OF THE ORANGE AND THE BENEFITS OF CONSUMING FOODS HIGH IN VITAMIN C.


LOOK OUT FOR 100% GREEK PURE ORGANIC FRESHLY SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
HOPE 2013 BRINGS YOU EVERYTHING YOU DESIRE. 
PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS! 
XXX