Traveling to spiritual boatyards

At first I imagined it's going to be just another industrial experience.

Manmade machines clustered in a compound with more men working to cater for their needs.

But it all turned out differently, quite the opposite.

Beautiful boatyards

Forest of sailboats masts under heavy sky. Aktio boatyard, Greece

A red-white ATV navigated this boatyard like a toy in a maze. Driving it was a Greek man with a long and thick gray-white beard and a ponytail. His round face always shining red and blue eyes sparkling quietly. We named him 'Angel'. I never heard him speak but I felt there was a permanent, true smile under that beard.

He knew how to control this puzzle. His ATV would suddenly appear coming around a row of boats, stopping occasionally to whisper instructions to his men on the ground. Then he would zoom out of sight. And so these large and tall yet delicate objects moved around the boatyard, in and out of the water.

Sun is coming up above the water surrounding the yard. Aktio boatyard, Greece

The Boatyard I just entered was busy. Boats were moved rapidly out of the water and onto supports, while others made the reverse trip.

That scene, 'Angel' running the show silently on his ATV, played on the first hour of my early boatyard experience in Aktio boatyard in western Greece. A few hours later nature took over and everything changed. Serenity, beauty, introspection and...exhaustion
I love boatyards.

The view from the deck in Aktio boatyard. Preveza, Greece

Why? What is so cool about boatyards?

Real stories, mesmerizing

Some yards have 1000's of sailboats. Each boat has the most amazing stories to tell

Passionate people

Most are truly passionate about sailboats. They are part of this international boat nation

A boat's paradise

It's a sailboat museum, a comprehensive catalog with such great diversity. All possible materials, designs, gear, looks and feel, can be found here

Relationships of the true kind

Between the two, between the boat and the person who sails her, loves her and nourishes her.
This is one of the most fascinating aspect of boat life. The way a boat gives back to her sailor. This affair is very tangible in boat yards where the boats gets treated like princesses. At least most do

Sailboats washed in golden light. Aktio boatyard, Greece

If you are a traveler looking for stories, boatyards are the place for you.

I was lucky to live in three boatyards so far. One in Aktio, Preveza on the Ionian sea, west Greece, one in Faro, south Portugal, and one in Hierro, the south-western most of the Canary islands, a young volcanic island, black lava.

Each was an intimate and specific experience. All were very satisfying.

My day begins with the first sunray. Too good to be missed. Aktio boatyard, Greece

Aktio boatyard

In satellite view, the place looks like an island forest of masts. There are probably a thousand boats here at least.

Aktio boatyards bird's view. There are 3 yards here. It is the largest yard complex I had ever seen. Preveza, Greece. Credit: Google Maps

Aktio is a penninsula on the shore of a channel separating the island of Preveza from the mainland. Preveza itself is a charming place where Ouzo is still prepared the traditional way by a local family. There's a new tunnel running under the water into Preveza. The tunnel is a treat for photographers as it provides super cool compositions, light play and movement
Aktio is also the site of the great Roman naval battle, a seminal moment in the history of the Roman Empire and a dramatic narrative for itself.

Catamaran on wheels. Aktio, Preveza, Greece

The Aktio yard is immense. Luckily, 'Angel' placed me and the boat by the water on the edge of the yard by the fence. Amazing sunsets, nesting seabirds around and...some heavy yet photogenic weather.

Sun and mast. Aktio, Greece

Most of the boats' owners are away but those who are unique people. I met people from all 5 continents, some have already circumnavigated the world on their boats. Others have been taking it easy, sailing the Greek islands. Nearly all are extremely helpful. One sailor helped me figure out how to maintain and repair some critical boat systems, lending tools and parts. Another told me the story of his boat and the adventures they both had together. But this is a completely different story.

Deck, shore, water. Aktio boatyard, Greece

But I'm just going to tell you - go to a shipyard, get in touch with a boat owner and ask them to take you for a stroll, to tell you about the boats. You'll have more stuff to write about than you have ever imagined. Try it.

Shipyards are a treasure trove for content creators

She's been around to the other side of the world and came back. Aktio boatyard, Greece

You can also rent a boat in a boatyard, maybe even via AirBNB, for a few nights stay. Just remember, a boat is not an apartment and if it feels too much like an apartment, find a differnt boat to stay in. You gain so much more by moving out of the traditional shelter you are used to.

Waiting for 'Angel's' angels to pick her up. Aktio boatyard, Greece

Coming up next:
Faro, Portugal shipyard
boatyard in Hierro, Canary Islands

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