When we approached Kythnos - with a force of 3 - 4 head wind - we couldn't land in the Virgin of Kanala as we could not sail close-hauled so near to the wind direction. A welcoming ceremony was going to take place there.

Thus we decided to go straight - which suited usto the other side of the island, to Mericha, as it is called. We had contacted the escorting ships about our change of course, adjusted our sails and started approaching Mericha when we saw a small fleet of yachts coming round the Cape of Kythnos straight towards us.

Each yacht was in full sail and was coming full speed trying to catch up with us. There were about twenty yachts coming up to us. Then, as we drew nearer Mericha, around forty or fifty fishing boats with schoolchildren from primary schools and gymnasiums chanting, bidding "Welcome" to us, showering us with flowers, etc. The people there were terribly moved. Though it wasn't the port we were to call at, a lot of people had gathered to welcome us. When we got near, the only road came into view. There were buses, cars, bicycles, donkeys, coming up the mountain, from the other side (because they had all gone to the Virgin of Kanala) and rushing towards us. And, though we had only expected to see about thirty people from the Municipality, the church, etc. we found ourselves surrounded by 1000 - 1500 islanders (I think all the people on the island were therel) shouting slogans, singing and thinking that we were going to liberate Cyprus! They were shouting 'Freedom for Cyprus'; "Welcome, ship of Cyprus'; "Turks, get out of Cyprus ". They were asking if we were all Cypriots. They imagined that we were all Cypriots on our way to free our countryl"

As told by GLAFKOS KARIOLOU