From Greek magazine Skafos

GOMMONAUTI ITALIANI IN GRECIA

Is middle of July 2007 and my friend Emilio with his wife Barbara, who I met via the Italian RIB forum Gommoni e Motori ( www.gommoniemotori.com ) that our common friend Luigi started sometime ago, were visiting Greece. Emilio and Barbara with another six RIBs all members of the largest RIB club in Italy CLUB DEL GOMMONE ( www.clubdelgommone.it ) visit Greece on their boats nearly every year.

 I did not miss this opportunity to see  my friends once again  and with Elizabeth we met up with them in Faliron Marina. This is the marina where they were stopping for the night before they start the second leg of their journey to the Aegean Sea and in particular the Cyclades Islands.

 The small armada of seven RIBs started their journey from Lefkas. They had arrived on a ship from Italy there. They crossed south the Ionian Sea stopping in various places and they entered the Corinth Gulf where they entered the Corinth Canal where they arrived in the Aegean Sea to explore many of the Greek islands and in particular the Cyclades.

In Faliron where we met, we went for dinner to a Café Restaurant that was near by where they had moored their boats. In the restaurant the President of the club Mr Virginio Gandini was kind enough to give some of his time and take a mini interview.

 In brief, the club was established in 1970 and now numbers over 140 crews. They organize many trips every year not only in Italy. They have organized successfully  trips in a large scale exploring the main parts of the Mediterranean sea including Croatian coat, north Africa like Morocco.

 Croatian coat  to a few places Africa including Libya. However, Greece is their favourite place, is the place that is deep inside in their hearts.

 An the President explain, they like to visit Greece on holidays because Greek culture is very close to the Italian culture, the food is similar, the mannerism the same, most Greeks are kind and polite people, always eager to help, caring about their neighbours even if they do not know them, the sea is very clean, access to small virgin coves and sandy beaches is easy and the islands in the Ionian and the Aegean Sea are so beautiful.

 The interesting discussion with Mr Gandini carried on under the very loud music that never stopped unfortunately.

 In general the group felt that Greece is like home. Una facia una razza said the President laughing. And we all agreed. We love Greece and the Greeks he said.

 I’ve asked if they have seen something that they didn’t like all these years that they visit Greece (over 15 years ALWAYS on RIBs) and if Mr Gandini wanted to comment on it.

 He said that in general he feels that the situation for tourists in Greece improves every year. However, the problem that they face is the unhospitability of some of the marinas that are based in Attica towards small boats. By the way their boats are from 7 meters upwards.

 In particular when they were coming they had asked two marinas that are next to Pisidonos Avenue to stay for the night and they refused. The only marina that accepted them was Faliron Marina where they over paid and they faced problems with the refuelling of the boats. Also the places they moored their boats were so close to the café bars of the area that it was impossible to sleep not only from the noise of the music but from the noise of the cars that were going up and down the small road with incredible speeds according to the wife of the President.

 Also on their way back they wanted to stop in Cape Sounion. They asked the marina that is in the area for a few spaces for the night and although they believe they had the marina refused. Fortunately they found safe mooring in Lavrion Port. And Mr Gandini continued. But one can forget all these because Greece is such a beautiful country with so much to give. We feel very happy to be here and even for such a small time to be a part of this place. However, if the authorities made a plan to accommodate the needs of smaller boats tourists who visit Greece may have had a more pleasant stay.

 The night passed quietly with many of jokes, laughter and exchange of views and opinions about RIBs but most of all exchange of information about places we all had or wanted to visit. We felt that we all were among good friends that we knew since long time ago. Strange but true. It is very interesting that via the Internet we have made friends that have the same passion about the sea, RIBs and exploration of the water world. I do not think that we would have made such friends if it were not for the RIB forums that exist on the net.

 We all walk together near to the boats where our friends would be staying for the night and we wished to all of the group a good trip, a great holiday, calm seas and safe return journey home.

 The President was kind enough to invite me to their annual conference in Milan in November this year, which I accepted gracefully.

 Looking forward to see you in November my friends.

This year their itinerary is to depart from Lefkas.

.In total are about 1000 MN

NOTE: More information about the clubs activities, trips and this itinerary you can see at www.clubdelgommone.it

The boats and the crews  were:

By Manos