Can answering such a question be named either obsolete or cool? Well after a conservative and reluctant approach few years ago i cannot admit that i have turned to a true believer.

Ok, theory is great and online approach on the matter seem cool, how about getting to know things in a hands on approach then? Having the chance to step on a sail cargo ship nowadays is not something found often hence you cannot miss it once appearing. Recently the unique Brigantine ‘TRES HOMBRES’ called at Boca Chicca in Dominican Republic to load her last part of organic cargo bound to Europe, a chance to visit her could not be lost whatsoever.

The 32m wooden hull, built in Germany back in 1943 as a minesweeper and converted only recently to sail cargo, visited Dominican Republic as her last one of Caribbean Ports on her annual round between North Europe and Caribbean. Captain Artur Petrie and his crew were happy to brief us on this different cargo ship and show us around how can cargo be moved across an ocean under sail only.

She can carry up to 50m3 or 40MT of dry cargo on her sole cargo hold that once in view of stuck barrels, sacks and boxes cannot but find yourself in a Hollywood movie scenery or a live museum if you prefer. Can cargo be moved across an Ocean alike in 2025? Yes it can and seen it differently, why couldn’t it?

In actual terms she is a respectively small cargo ship, sailed by 15 men and women half of which are being paid as a permanent crew and half of that pay for training themselves in real traditional heavy sailing environment.

She has her proud dedicated partners to collaborate with, that book her cargo space to move their products in the most efficient environmental wise way and this is not marketing view but a true belief in values. She is ran sustainably and traditionally all along, without any electric run device onboard apart of the bridge electronics and an emergency pump. No autopilot, no propulsion engine, no pumps, no gear, It is all hand driven..

 

And is she profitable? well it seems that she is if she continues to run this business for the last 18 years completing the 16th round across Atlantic while as well moving cargo internally between European ports in the meantime.

Returning back to my Mediterranean background and reality i once again consider the option to run such a thing in my home waters as my grandfather did half a century ago.

The difficulty level presume would be multiplied as apart of the special sailing wind related restrictions met in Aegean Sea, someone would have to face the monster of bureaucracy and hostility against anyone, that Greek status is famous for.

So what could we conclude after this special visit?

Firstly a huge bravo and hats off to those unique people that dared to turn this in reality succeeded to the ones running her under such conditions, it is pure seamanship guys.

Then the dreamer’s decease hits and somewhere there typing has to stop if you don’t want to remain in history for promises made and not turned to actions.

For the time being, TRES HOMBRES is underway to the Azores bound to Amsterdam, fair seas Capt Artur, may we cross routes again in sight one of another..

A personal strive to make it in a hostile world

Captain Nikos Chalaris and the Yin Yang Concept

Introducing myself and the Yin Yang Concept after 4 years of existence in the business seems challenging and interesting the same time, reading back the first intro I wrote by then in my BlogSpot seems like yesterday while on the same time it feels like that a decade has passed already. It is one of those unique times where you make a pause in time and realise that so many things, events, incidents etc have happened that you cannot even recall them all. All in all, trying to consolidate it in few words this would be, adventure, thrill and struggle like any voyage at sea, nonetheless for sure I can tell after all that if I knew in advance what would I go through, I would never dare to try it as it would seem impossible to my eyes. Well as I am here still and going on I can tell it is not, however the courage and drive that emerged from inside me to make it still seem daring and more than hard, even for myself.

But first things first, so to make the reader familiar with the Yin Yang Concept, I am Captain Nikos Chalaris a Greek Shipmaster in the Merchant Navy specializing in Cruise shipping that in the age of 44 decided to become an entrepreneur. Before that moment in 2018, I had spent all my adult life almost solely within my profession and I would dare to say with success that fulfilled the most of my dreams up to day. So if a successful career was there what could be the reasoning behind it for someone in his mid-40s to quit and decide to walk the troubled unknown fearing path of entrepreneurship someone would reasonably ask. Could it be the financial reward or the chase of a dream to become rich? Not in my case to be honest.  Could it be a personal motivation behind the surface reasons to prove that there is more to be done and that I am able to achieve higher goals or could it be just a mere disappointment of existing life route that made me turn my back to an industry that I devoted more than 25 of my best years? This could be a part of it I admit.

“I can tell after all that if I knew in advance what would I go through, I would never dare to try it as it would seem impossible to my eyes”

Even though there might be seeds of truth in most of above reasoning I would supress it in a combination of a huge disappointment from the development of profession in this modern technological world that does not need Captains of the type that I was trained to be-and eventually became-with a strong will to try developing myself throughout this complicated world in an independent self-sufficient individual that can make his living by himself doing what he loves and tasting the fruit of success from the tree he watered. Being disappointed by giving the most of my outcome for people that did not appreciate it and realising that my ability to start something from scratch and make it grow, motivated me to try and work harder than ever to see it thriving, did I manage it after all? Well that is a good question indeed.

Briefly I was raised between the Cycladic Islands of Syros and Paros, fascinated by staring the ferries manoeuvring in the ports daily and being attracted by the sea, I never ever thought of doing anything else but making my way to the sea onboard a ship. So at the age of 17 I firstly joined a ferry sailing my home waters and after graduating the Naval Academy at the age of 22 I made it officially as an Officer of the Watch while progressing through the ranks and experiences. I first time took command of a local daily cruiser at the age of 27 and eventually at 31 after obtaining Master’s unlimited Tonnage Certificate of competency I commanded my first ferry. Ever since there passed more than 28 ships under my command and here we are after all trying to be my own boss for the first time. After an unsuccessful attempt with 2 more body friends to purchase a small sailing cruiser in 2018 and being hampered by a hurricane that hit my personal life the same year I found myself looking for the ever desired own floating home to reside at, this was found and surprisingly came with a commercial licence to operate in Greek waters and somewhere there it all started shaping in my head. Was it the time to make the move? The Yacht was called Yin Yang and to match it up, I admire Taoism philosophy, inspiration by default.

For persons like me that took life seriously since their early adulthood, after years of endless devotion and belief in a profession that in the end proved not worth the sacrifice, difficult decisions that involved risk seemed at the time as a promising jump in the void, dangerous but appealing it appeared and so I did it. Various calculations seemed to do the math and make it viable, but when humans make plans Gods laugh the old saying goes, so I quit my job but made one more contract to ensure cash flow and full of passion and energy I returned to Syros Boatyard as of preparing my yacht for the upcoming season. All was by the plan except a minor unexpected element that came to stamp my inaugural season, it was Feb 2020 and COVID had opened the door without invitation. I laughed after all and said to myself, if the whole world was expecting me to start my first ever business to fall apart then this is an honour worth the challenge, so if I manage to survive this I will survive anything.

When July 2020 came and I realised that I was supposed to have commenced operations from May and not even a penny was in the cashier, shiver started shaking my backbone, it became a fever when in mid-August local lockdown measures were applied to Paros island due to virus spike that I realised things were totally off plan despite my optimism.  To make it short, first year was a disaster that only was saved by a 5 months’ winter contract back at sea onboard an old ferry that dispatched the troubled waters with cash injection. I hopped that 2021 would pay off and so I went again full of passion and belief to start a new season, Covid measures, delays and the like stuck me back once again hence it was June this time to kick off, attempt to make it work was tremendous and until mid-September we managed to roll it off enhanced by creating a reputation in the Island. But an unexpected technical issue along with an inevitable call to return in command of ships made me end the season in September 2021.  2022 season started in May and things went up and down, from extreme adverse weather to Covid illness in July, made the most out of what we could, gaining excellent reviews along the way and keep looking forward with dreams and hopes for better days ahead.

If there is something that I should be really proud of, this is the reputation that the Yin Yang Concert has managed to make through those 4 years, our unique yacht that makes heads turn as she makes her way under sail or docked at Pisso Livadi, the onboard dining experience along with our perfectionism looking on every detail of the experience onboard come to pay off after all. We try to take care of our guest from the time they contact us until they return back, we promise an experience like no other and we deliver it. As competition is strong, each one decides strategies and plans to make his way through, in our eyes quality cannot be compromised for any reason hence our costs spread would be balanced differently than usual therefore while others invest in easier channels of sales we had to reduce this cost that apparently and subsequently came with its own impact. On the other hand, we managed to make synergies with few but like minded professionals that share our vision for quality products and fair business that benefit the end client. In other words, our dealers believe in us and we trust them to promote us, our clients left all satisfied the yacht after being treated professionally leaving us excellent reviews and feedback. Our moto is ‘serve not sell’ but this is not easy as a business model and somehow off course from mainstream trait, it often generates wonders as of ‘is this what will make this business succeed or should we follow the easy way like everyone’, but cannot do otherwise after all as our life view cannot be changed at this age.

Endless hard work that surprised even myself still is the norm of the day, ups and downs come to shake the ship never allowing me to rest or relax and if there would be one thing to cry for this would be some rest and relaxation urgently. Should I be ashamed of something? Not for sure.

Should I celebrate it after all? It proved far harder than I ever imagined while on the other hand I survived so yes I should be proud of my hard effort. What have I gained so far? For sure not the monetary profit I was expecting for, nonetheless a great knowledge in various fields as of business, technical stuff, personal development and much more yes are things were I truly succeeded at and cannot but celebrate my way through.

Could I consider myself eligible to give business to others like me? I do not think so, I am still in the beginning line and my experience remains poor but I work hard to learn. On the other hand, 2 days ago I travelled with a ferry commanded by a friend of mine that informed me on his will to follow my example and start something similar in his island. After describing all struggles, mishaps troubles and adventures that I had gone through I advised him to try it but remain very very cautious and vigilant, if he would not try how could he ever find out if this would work for him?

What have I learned from this up to day? That you will never answer the question of how things are if you don’t try, therefore go for it but be careful and prepared for the worst (even if it can go far more off the plan as Covid did in my case). If you are open to learn then you will-at a cost of course but so is life isn’t it-so catch the opportunity and give it a go, be prepared for failures and disappointments as they will come for sure, friends will let you down, others you counted at will do as well and safety circle and comfort zone will be breached for sure. On the other hand, there will be happy surprises from unexpected people and situations that will assist your optimism, hard work pays off at some point sooner or later as long as you remain vigilant and determined the same time.

What has proved to be the most hardship of all? Surprisingly for myself that proudly carry the reputation of highly successful commander and beloved leader among international numerous crew members all my life, the staff to work with. Maybe my passion for perfection in service and customer care, maybe my overall experience from cruise industry or maybe my character makes me demanding and perfectionist. If you place this against a generation that globally refuses to work the way my generation learned to work, result is a difficult equation to solve that money alone cannot buy.

And what could be a trap I never expected of but presume that all start-ups have as common? The inevitable one-man show which will only make it happen and materialise from scratch a vision to reality. So what is wrong with that? In my case Captain Nikos and Yin Yang Concept are the same thing and as long they co-exist it works great, however if for any reason I wish to withdraw myself out of it no concept seems to be there. This is something that acts a trap and I am working on ways of being able to disengage my person out of it should there be such a need without this equals as disconnecting power source from system.

Will I continue going on? After such a hard commitment and results already growing up can I let it all go fall apart?

So follow your dreams and do not give up, one or the other way life pays off, in the end if you do not try you will never find out how this could turn to be.

Your Capt. Nikos

My adult life dream was and remains to sail around the world onboard my sailing yacht, remaining reasonable for the time being this does not seem doable in near future however this should not obstruct me from enjoying sailing expeditions in my home waters until my circumstances turn favourable towards my ultimate life project.

Yin Yang is a Formosa 46’’ Ketch that came in my hands in 2019 and since 2020 we have been offering high quality daily cruises off Pisso Livadi Paros with great success, and even though I enjoy serving guests and showing them my Island’s waters, I cannot relax and enjoy my special boat as in my mind job is job and fun is fun.

This fall, after 3 years of hard work I grabbed the chance to sail her for myself on adjacent waters and came to conclude that my life has certain traits to follow from now and onwards.

The first chance came in September 2022 when a forecast for SE gale brought me in front of making a decision, Pisso Livadi is exposed to SE winds and remaining moored there is a game of compromise with safety. As there were not any bookings secured for the next 5 days, I did not think of it a lot, packed few things and provisions and made my way to the South East. The tour lasted 5 days, I overnighted at Koufonisi, Aegiali and Katapola in Amorgos, cruised along Antikeria Islands and Schinousa to finally pay a visit at Naxos and return back full of relaxation and joy.

The tour was superb, had a little bit of everything as every sea trip that respects itself has, but allowed me to relax and enjoy, to spend time with my self and to explore ashore, even to cook. It was all captured in a 20min video that can be found here .

Being fascinated and fully inspired by this first experience I was only waiting for the timing to move on and sail even further away, Aegean Sea is full of uninhabited Islands and Islets that are rarely visited and even though their landscape is not ideal for usual cruising, they host superb vibes and pure bold nature to explore. After concluding commercial season by mid-October, I prepared myself and casted off on October 20^th to the South Aegean aiming to make it all the way to Kasos and Karpathos Islands in far South and then start making it back to the NE all round Dodecanese Islands.

The initial timeline was set to a month in total with weekend stopovers in major islands that could safely moor the yacht and allow me the ability to fly to Athens spending time with my kids in regular times. It was all supposed to be doable and my will to explore was tremendous, nonetheless life had other plans. As my profession up to day remains the one of Shipmaster, I am regularly called on winter to fulfil openings in ship’s command and this time the plan was to take a mega yacht to Caribbean Sea. As up to the day I casted off said voyage was not secured and there was a possibility for the vessel to not make it at all, I could not wait anymore and set sail with the Yin Yang to the South.

My inspiration to visit those Islands and explore them came since my earlier days in the Merchant Marine where I was trespassing them regularly without the chance to step ashore (as ferries make touch and go calls in several Islands in a row) and get to know the places therefore my inspiration was fuelled even more now that for first time I had time available on my own yacht.

My favourite quote comes from an Army General that made it clear “No plan survived after first contact with enemy’’ hence only few hours after commencing my voyage from Pisso Livadi to Anafi and just before few seconds my mobile decided that it was time to leave its last breath, I received a message to join the Mega Yacht in 10 days as she would finally make it to the Caribbean. This was an unexpected turn in the plan as there was still some time to sail my own expedition and return back on time at some point to join the mega yacht.

A significant modification had to me made in initial plan though as I would now have to not make it more South but East if I wanted a shorter version of my intended tour to Dodecanese Islands. So, after sailing 50nm and spending 2 awesome days in Anafi I continued to my beloved Astypalaia Island where I combined touring with one day expedition to uninhabited Syrna Island.

As forecasts were not favourable to allow favourable winds back to Paros and under time running out for the next commitment I decided to return back only after one week with regret, there were things to unload from Yin Yang and she still had to make it to Syros Island for Dry Dock to winter. Last leg of this expedition can be seen here where I spend time in Heraklia Island with a friend and enjoyed the stillness of this fabulous remote island.

Yin Yang was eventually sailed to Syros Island by November 4^th and pulled ashore to winter, I made my way to the mega yacht right after and we eventually set off to Caribbean by end of November nonetheless plans changed again -sic-and we were advised to return back before we even left behind Med Sea, the old moto goes that Gods are laughing when humans make plans.

One major issue I face when I am sailing single handed in Aegean Sea is the lack of sleep, in contrast to solo sailors that cover significant distances in long periods, I struggle to do alike as sleep while sailing is not safe to my eyes in Aegean waters as done in open seas and oceans. This is supported by 3 major factors, the dense marine traffic almost everywhere around the islands as well as the very special weather pattern combined with the geographical distribution of endless islands and even more standalone rocks and shallows.

In other words, sailing and sleeping even for short periods is not the easiest neither safer thing to do in those waters, crossing vessels of all types, constantly changing wind that often intensifies in the leeward of coasts or funnels between islands along with numerous navigational hazards make this terrain a difficult one. On daytime with open eyes and adequate rest it is fine as long as you know your stuff, but letting her sail at night with you sleeping onboard cannot be my choice.

This restricts a lot the destination options to sail between and the voyage plan has to be carefully designed and implemented, it makes it interesting from navigational point of view however if you wish to do it alone your eyes have to be open whatsoever.

Apart of this issue though, life is great onboard the yacht if you are in search of relaxation and self-fulfilment. There is no rush to do anything and you can arrange your days according to nature’s pace without pressure or anxiety. For someone that has spent all his life up to now under such supressing conditions, sailing by yourself across those magic islands is a gift from heavens and I cannot but thank my luck of being able to live this experience.

If you love nature and are someone that works his way in various activities sailing and touring around is a serious choice to consider and if you may be self sufficient in cooking and taking basic care of yourself then you better start thinking of it .

Once you have the bliss to spend days onboard your beloved yacht, getting to explore and enjoy wonderful destinations in easy pace without rush, life turns nice and meaningful. And when you return to find her waiting where you left her to provide you rest, care and the cosiness of home then life becomes worth it.

Time flies and we are already close to the end of 2021 which in reality was our ‘normal’ start up first season under somehow what a named return to normality. Frankly speaking the season was not exactly like a normal one in terms of guests flow and regular arrivals as things kept changing while time was passing.

It also took us one more month than expected to commence operations as Tourism in Greece opened by the end of May and our first guests boarded us in June which was also a delay in the whole scene, nonetheless from there and on things moved somehow well, Greece and Paros saw a high number of visitors and respectively the Yin Yang Concept was chosen as a sea day trip in Paros by a decent number of them.

The feedback we received in verbal or written comments was more than enthusiastic and we cannot but thank them all for their kindness to acknowledge and appreciate our effort that in return satisfied and fulfilled them all. Guests from last year, others recommended by our previous ones or brand new ones boarded the Yin Yang for a half or full day at sea and only left fully pleased after a superb satisfactory relaxed day at sea.

We hosted all kinds of people from many different countries, French American Dutch and German families, British Italian or Spanish group of friends, honeymooners or even solo travelers that all wanted to spend a day at sea. It was fascinating to speak and host every day a different group of people that all hopped to see our magnificent shore and the close by islands from our deck.

What we decide to do and our guests come to enjoy is the result of a long difficult road of hard work, personal commitment and endless will to succeed. Our choices in every little thing that compile the overall outcome aim to make the Yin Yang Concept a truly unique one like no other similar experience. So when we return at Pisso Livadi after a day at sea it cannot but make us proud to shake hands with people facing us with a shiny deep smile full of gratitude and pleasure willing to return at the first chance.

By providing different options to choose from we offer our guests the choice to find what matches them better and respectively become not just an option to choose from but a special one that can adjust to many different preferences. In reality our mindset is made to not only offer a great product to potential clients but further moving with this to offer something much better than the average that goes beyond the anticipated. Sincerely speaking this is not a matter of competition with others but a self-development bet that never ends where the only one to compete with is our own self.

So what did we learn from our performance this season?

We were happy to conclude that our vision was one that proved to be properly focused and successful, our choice to serve our guests honestly with care and attention in a well-organized set up was recognized and worked while our constant adjustability to evolving conditions brought the desired acknowledgment. We came to recognize that by listening and trying to fulfill expectations and wishes we managed to not only satisfy our guests but gain their trust and appreciation, maybe one of the highest achievements a start-up can celebrate.

Our guests choose us not because we are the most cost effective ones-which we are not- but because we offer a bunch of quality elements in a unique combination that makes us something completely different from ordinary products. A sailing vessel like no other full of wood and varnish that distinguishes itself from any other and becomes an attraction to the eye generating dreams to sail with in a blue sea. A true sailing experience in privacy where the sun drenches its magnificent light while our guests enjoy relaxed on our deck the hiss of the wind and the smell of the open sea where altogether create an experience that cannot be described in words. A constantly upgraded lunch or dinner menu that has never let anyone down but filled up appetite in the highest of degree either in quality or quantity. Superb spots hidden by crowds that are only reached by the sea and customized schedule that adjusts to our guests taste in order to fully optimize the experience all hosted by highly experienced professionals in cruise and mega yacht industry  that do not compromise with nothing less but the best for their guests.

Looking back the months that passed it would be a lie to say that it was easy and smooth as it was not, unforeseen obstacles that popped up when not expected, last minute changes and requests that had to be dealt with, anticipated fatigue that had to be handled and many others, all of which surrounded by an ongoing pandemic created the scene where we operated at.

It has been difficult and took more than hard work to make it but we did it and it worked, even though we started late and had to seize our operations earlier than our will, we managed to establish the Concept in a demanding market with success, being recognized and considered as one of the highest quality choices in the island and this makes us feel that all this effort and hard work are being done for the correct reasons.

We have great plans for the future despite the odds and instable days we are still going through, we remain optimistic and positive as we truly believe that dreams visions and mostly purposeful endeavors come to pay off in the end, not necessarily in financial terms but higher ones as of serving the community with offering something that is worth its value which will make people’s life better while preserving the environment we live at.

2022 we are preparing for a year to thrive, see you then.

Diving in Paros is one of the most exciting activities you could experience while in the island. Our partner party Paros Divers offers private and semi-private dives in groups of maximum 4 divers, PADI & IANTD Certified Courses (taking place in private) and the prices include training material, all necessary diving equipment, diving insurance and certification. They are open March to November. Are you ready to discover more?

According to Greek mythology, Amphitrite was one of the fifty Nereids. They were the nymphs worshiped as goddesses of the calm sea. Amphitrite according to Hesiod, was the daughter of Nereus and Doridas, one of the most beautiful Nereids, and Poseidon the god of the sea of rivers and fountains fell in love with her when he saw her dance and marry her. After her marriage to Poseidon, Amphitrite became queen of the sea and was called Poseidonia. Triton and several nymphs were born from Poseidon and Amphitrite. The sailors and the statues of Amphitrite were adorned by many ancient temples. She was the female personification of the sea the mother of whale fish and dolphins. She was often depicted holding the trident, a power she acquired when she became Poseidon’s wife.

The Aegean region and especially, the area of the Central Cyclades Islands comprised extended land fields at 420,000, 340,000, and 20,000 years before present (during the ice maxima of the Marine Isotope Stages 12, 10 and 2), when the climate was cold and the sea level was lower. This means that the Amphitrite Cave was functioning as a dry cave at these periods with an active secondary deposition of speleothems. The cave entrance which lies at a small depth and the geotectonic regime (Central Aegean Sea) characterized by subsidence, supports the location of Amphitrite at the vadose zone, only during the cold climatic periods and up to the re-establishment of warm climate and the sea level regaining.

​The cave of Amphitrite is located on the SW side of Paros, amid a cluster of small islands. Amphitrite is the only known submarine cave in the Aegean sea and specifically in the Cyclades cluster. Its entrance is at -6m deep. Upon entering, there is a small cavern that reflects just a small fraction of the cave’s real beauty. Amphitrite has a very impressive decoration, with beautiful stalactite and stalagmite material enveloped in a delicate white sand veil. Amphitrite has 2 main lines. Line A is about 250m with a maximum depth of -24m and average depth at -17m. Line B about 150-180m and the maximum depth of -50m reaches. The cave has a steady temperature of 17-19 degrees Celsius all year round. In its depths, the diver will encounter a magnificent decoration, as the Amphitrite was a dry cave before 8.000-9.000 years ago. At -50m there are animal bone remains, probably from a turtle.

Paros Divers opened for its first season in summer 2017. We are a dive center that prides itself on offering safe, personal, and unforgettable diving experiences to our clients.

We offer only private cave dives & courses.

For visiting and diving in Amphitrite cave, please contact us via email: parosdivers@yahoo.com

amphitritecave.com

Amphitriti Cave (Line A) Paros, Greece

COVID Free Destinations: Will it be safe to travel normally this summer?

One of the main concerns during those weird days that we are living is how can we safely enjoy what we mostly love in our vacation and indeed until normality returns as a concept in our routine, the struggles arisen from pandemic will make our lives difficult the least.

It cannot be but a common assumption that what used to be the norm for the whole of our lives until a year ago seems to be rare in the coming and even deeper future, socializing been one of the most hampered of our functions and routines. This subsequently seen from a wider perspective influences the way we live apparently in a negative form.

Socialising even with close by friends and family has become difficult if not dangerous itself as even finding venues and sites to enjoy each other company appears to be a hazardous idea. Restaurants, pubs, bars or even public spaces are being focused as a dangerous place to be and this in return pushes us to remain restricted from living happily on top of other already banned norms we have lost from this unpleasant situation. So despite internationally massive vaccination there still seems to be a long way until this nightmare will be forgotten while living with the consequences of this horror will possibly be a thing that we have to learn to live with.

On the other hand no one can remain ‘imprisoned’ even if this might be the right thing to do at his own house forever. Clear skies, fresh air and the sense of free space around are essential for human beings, if it was not maybe imprisonment and deprivation of personal freedom would not be the punishment for the most of crimes throughout this world.

Travel to Greece: One of the safest destinations to visit in Europe in 2021

On the tail of this depressive year there seems to be a slight light in the tunnel for this summer, Greece as a famous and beloved destination has decided to open itself to tourism from mid-May therefore, we prepare ourselves to welcome all people who wish to enjoy our unique land and sea.

But is it safe to have a holiday at this time and in the coming future someone will consider, will there be safe corners to truly enjoy the restricted time given for a vacation? As a resident of the special island of Paros and someone involved in the hospitality business I can reply affirmatively yes. Paros with the variety of options to choose from can be a safe place to spend your holidays as there are safe while wonderful places to be and have a great time this summer.

Starting from residence options there are numerous sites to stay at from classy hotels to more budgeted options or nice villas by the sea like Yin Yang Villa or Guesthouse, there are options to choose from where protocols are being kept and congestions avoided. Paros offers a variety of beaches to choose from and this in combination with fresh air and space around cannot be but a preferred way to spend a day when there. Picturesque dinning venues around the island most of in open verandas and patios will provide the visitor with the possibility to enjoy local cuisine in our lovely landscape without being packed as in a crowded destination.

Covid-Safe Vacation with Sailing in Paros

But the safest way to have a great day in the island with your family and friends travelling with you is to take a private sailing tour at sea. The Yin Yang concept offers half and full day cruises around Paros south coasts and surround islands where your fellows can have the most of an unforgettable experience in comfort and style but most of all safely.

Without compromising your leisure and hygiene a daily sailing tour with us will offer you the most of an island day while enjoying local specialties and amazing views rejuvenated and refreshed on our deck.

Fresh air in the open deck under our sails and shinning Aegean light will make things much better than elsewhere, snorkeling in pristine waters and sunbathing afterwards will make you feel amazingly relaxed and pleased, we are here to take care of it all and have committed ourselves in delivering excellent moments at sea. With a maximum capacity of 10 guests on board and without any other contamination with crowds and potentially susceptible places to be, our deck cannot but be one of the safest places to be from every aspect.

Our professionalism and experience in hospitality at sea will be the booster to join us and offer yourself one of the most special experiences in Paros.

So if you are thinking how your days at Paros can be relaxing, enjoying nonetheless safe and fearful a day or more at sea with us will pay off and you can get an added value in your so desired vacation.

2020 Season 1 – How we have performed

So, as time moves and we are already in 2021 aiming towards new season, we would better have a look in our first year of operation and review our achievements.

After officially taking the Yin Yang Yacht in my hands and bringing her to new home back in October 2019, she spent a full winter in Syros Boatyard undergoing refits and preps for her inaugural season in her new role. Despite the inertia and endless optimism, the unknown enemy called Covid 19 shaped our kick off to a far different than anticipated and planned. Eventually whatsoever, we managed to get back in water in May 2020 and be ready to welcome our guests a month after.

Due to this unprecedented and unique timing that was waiting for us to start up, we delayed our inception until Mid-July when first visitors reached Paros while our first ever commercial sailing was made under strong Northerly winds but full of success. All the ones that followed until mid-October proved satisfactory alike with all of our guests having a superb day at sea full of memories and footage with them to recall. The feedbacks provided could not but makes us proud and honored as the tremendous effort made paid off and our target of making satisfied guests was totally reached.

For us the Yin Yang Concept is not a business aiming to net profits measured in numbers and depicted through spreadsheets. Definitely every commercial venture has as paramount aim profitability otherwise there cannot be survivability, however as Simon Sinek put it, profit should not be the primary target of a business but the vehicle to a higher purpose as to provide something to people or make someone’s day better, or differently but simply said by Bruce Kasanoff, ‘serve-not sell’.

Driven by such incentives, the concept was conceived, conceptualized and materialized in principle of offering a great time for our guests that on the one hand will have the chance to see sites and views not possibly otherwise, secondly get to familiarize themselves with sailing on wind in Aegean sea and feel what it is to be harmonized by nature’s laws, but mostly to experience the special unique moments that we have carefully prepared for them.

In other words, enjoying a day at sea onboard the Yin Yang Yacht was planned and proved to be a life time experience that is worth every penny spent and has been a highlight for our friends that sailed with us.

The odds faced and unforeseen issues that arisen made it challenging as every start up I guess but persistence and a constant will to succeed made it work. The endless hours of preparations, hard work and moments of tense, turned from obstacles to fuel a wider vision that turned this idea to reality.

2021 Season 2 Ahead – What to expect

One of my favorite quotes is ‘No plan survived after first contact with enemy’ where comes the Greek adjustability to constantly changing situations that maybe assisted us as nation to survive all those years. If I would recognize an element of survivability to myself this would be my ability to adjust in evolving and changing conditions, situations and environments (without bypassing my life’s principles and ethics however). On the other hand though, this cannot be a plan for life as it actually does not make a plan, and here comes the experience and knowledge gained through years in life mostly living and working abroad with multinational cultures and mentalities. Organizing things ahead, setting a detailed passage plan towards a final destination has to be the mindset behind actions and so is in our case.

So where we are standing today is in preps for new season ahead, while remaining optimistic that the pandemic will start to ease and vanish gradually at some point. Despite my agony to make it all perfect and even better than I would wish, reality keeps me grounded to sensible movements and decisions. Various projects that I have already conceived and been working on, will either be postponed or minimized until situation stabilizes itself and financial department gives us the green light to move on with further investments.

This nonetheless does not at all averts us from working hard on upgrading our product, re adjusting details, putting in line bits and nuts in order to offer an even better experience for our guests.

The Yin Yang Yacht wintered this season in Piraeus wider area, underwent upgrades in her electrical installations and hardware while some nautical – technical items were upgraded and maintained as well. She is currently ready to move to Syros once again for her annual dry dock where cosmetic, propulsion related and structural focused jobs are planned as well.

Without having any actual clear clue yet of how the season will turn and respectively position ourselves in this, in any case we are planning to be back in water by mid-April and await our new and not only guests to come aboard and sail with us.

Our base is in Pisso Livadi Paros, we will be venturing to Paros South Coast as well as Antiparos and Despotiko Islands for a half or full day in the leeward side. With 3 swim stops in pristine waters, enjoying superb beaches and breath taking views our guests will experience a special day under the sun, taste our famous cuisine of local specialties and mostly get to know what Greek hospitality is in first hand.

Alternatively we cross the Channel to Naxos and small Cyclades islands for the ones that wish to see the morning and evening views between the islands from a magnificent standpoint on our deck. Hidden coves and beaches, happy surprises weather permitting while this special contrast of a clear blue sky and deep blue sea will make you fall in love with our land, as we have done for a life time.

The Yin Yang Yacht will be there waiting for you, we will only consider ourselves successful in what we do if we only see you on the way off the yacht with a face full of genuine smile, your cameras full of great shots and footage and a promise to be back soon again, we remain sure that you will.

See you soon,

Your Captain Nikos

This is still happening

Few months ago I was wondering if this can be really happening, we are in the end of November and the mayhem goes on possibly in a worst magnitude than its commencement. Europe is amidst lockdowns again while the disease is reported to continue picking up highs along the globe; economies descend in the afterneath of lost lives while science still is not there yet to provide the so desperately needed vaccine.

Situation becomes more critical as our life obviously heads for constant changes on the status quo as we knew it. It cannot be but alarming to realise that in the name of an enemy, long time gained personal and social rights are being encroached and worst of all we are slowly becoming used to this new reality. Hoping to return in previous situation seems more and more as a figure of a distant sailing ship moving away from us hidden by hazes and blur horizon.

On the other hand pandemic has revealed our global vulnerability against such an issue, taking it further on should that be the start point of further exposures where we will prove again incapable to handle? Times like this can, and mostly ought to act as an alarm that will activate our second thoughts and considerations. Our exposure shows our weakness in total against nature, environment and the like and this has to be our new observation standpoint towards reality and the future. No matter how high technology has placed itself or is expected to become, our ignorance and arrogance when acting as solid owners of this planet will be getting kicked back harder and harder as the king here is not human.

Time to wake up

Association between environment and pandemic is neither irrelevant nor inappropriate, there are various scientific calls that associate Covid 19 and previous such viruses with our wider poor environmental attitude against rest of live forms on this planet. Poultry massive constant feeding aiming accelerated aging, cutlery feeding similar practices, pork’s pasture packing for same reasons  and massive forests extinction in order to provide animal’s land to be fed are now associated all with virus and other deceases generation and cultivation.

Human’s systematic invasion within nature’s pace and structure seems not being trespassed without consequences by the host of this unique planet, however we keep repeating our disastrous practices in an insane rhythm like we will be the last ones inhabiting earth and our children will not be here tomorrow or the day after.

That being said, there is hope as the environmentalist culture seems to gain room and wider masses of human beings get to understand that what we have been up to day cannot but be named but as paranoid, self-distracting actions against our own existence. More and more people every day appear alarmed and convinced that our probation period has run out long time ago and we are already face to face with the counter wash of our actions up to day. Sustainability is being mentioned and discussed increasingly while various teams, groups or individuals are taking action within their everyday life in order to turn the tide.

It is more than promising to see that such values, principles and life attitudes are now being communicated to kids on early stages therefore we have high chances that environmental oriented and sustainability approach will be their second self on their way towards adult life. I cannot be but proud when I communicate such content to my young daughters and seeing them respond immediately after getting the message, it gives me real hope that they, along with the majority of new generation will prove much better than ours.

The Yin Yang Concept on this

As an individual  and through the Yin Yang Concept as an extension of me, my will and aim is to contribute as much as I can towards a sustainable and environmental friendly living. The yacht by itself is a sail powered one meaning that our ecological footprint is vastly minimized by default, we are trying to sail as much as possible exploiting nature’s forces while we try to communicate our reasoning with our guests. There is no meaning to believe and preach anything if you do not follow it in first place and communicate the outcome. Irrespective to one’s political, national, sexual or spiritual believes, respecting the environment and trying to activate people around us cannot be but of paramount importance and priority.

I am delighted to identify more and more action groups and individuals who are actively moving on with various activities and events willing to preserve our land and seas, correcting and remedy our disastrous impact up to now and  work with the envision of a better tomorrow for all.

My  believe is that in due time we will be happy to announce collaborations and alliances with such teams so the Yin Yang Concept can actively and practically contribute more its part towards our common target. Further future plans could be of replacing our machinery and equipment with friendlier to environment ones, a much desired will that for the moment has to be halted due to financial restrictions. The aim however is there and will do our best to reach it should the situation allows us to become capable of.

For the time being the Yacht is relocated and wintering in wider Attiki region, closer to specialists that allow easier procurement and attendance. Due to lockdown the action plan has been stopped while we are awaiting movement ban waiver as to continue with our intended action plan. Existing electrical installation in particular is number one focus point while various other elements of attention that are being examined and leading us to respective decisions and actions.

What will 2021 be cannot be predicted for the time, realism on one side and optimism on the other are balancing in between them, for the time being we continue to look ahead and far in horizon patiently waiting for the sun rays to penetrate cloudy skies, storms do not last forever, at least that was the norm up to day.

Happy and safe winter ahead,

Your Captain Nikos