SwimQuest Mathraki Arrival

Last night we learnt via WhatsApp that the transfer has been brought forwards to this morning due to predicted rough seas. Lucky I was in town! I didn't need to plan a morning activity as the minibus was now booked for straight after breakfast.

Our minibus took us north, to the port, through typical Mediterranean scenery. Just over an hour on mostly winding country roads. If anything, the countryside is greener than I expected for such a hot country. The journey was an opportunity to start to get to know each other, inevitably limited by the seating layout.

Crossing the Ionian Sea from Corfu to Mathraki with our luggage

The motorboat journey was just over half an hour of bouncing across waves. Our luggage was balanced on the back seat. Most of the group were glad when we, and the bags, reached port safely. Then another short transfer, this time by a very tired minibus, along the partially paved coast road.

Hotel Paradise lies in a small cove, with a sheltered beach. The rooms are basic but everything needed, including a small fridge. Water and electricity are potentially limited on Mathraki but we only had one short period, this week, without tap water.

Hotel Paradise and Taverna adjacent to the sheltered beach

The guides and coach had joined the transfer but it was only on dry land that good introductions were made. The SwimQuest guides would manage logistics whilst Cassie would give a mix of group and individual coaching during the week. We were also introduced to the honesty bar system, many of the drinks were from Corfu Brewery, including a 0.5% beer, which proved popular at lunch times. It's perhaps worth noting that the prices for hot and cold drinks were very reasonable considering the tavern's near monopoly.

The unusual weather meant that it was cool enough to walk to the island's peak during the afternoon. Subsequently, I found that it would be too hot to do this although I had intended to explore further. Remaining group members arrived on a later, much rougher, crossing at the publicised time. Adaptation of the programme to suit weather and travel requirements would prove to occur most days. For instance, today's acclimatisation swim was cancelled due to the rough sea, even in 'our' enclosed bay.

The evening meal was plentiful with salads, cooked vegetables and something meaty for the non-vegans. It was pleasing that my menu request (I had enquired before booking) was noted without any fuss which is better than I often find at UK hotels. There was no choice as such to the meals, although the mezede-style presentation gave wide variety, and we were asked to pay a fixed amount. Ultimately, the cost of the food and transfers was less than the amount given in the documentation (which is best way for things to work out). In my opinion, it would be do much easier for participants if it were included in the holiday price. 

By now we'd learnt more about each other, a mix of ages from late 30's into 70's, and of first-time open water swimmers into very experienced sea swimmers and triathletes. I'd put myself into the older age range and lower experience. Most swimmers were from England however two were from other European countries. Our two guides, one form UK, one from USA, had spent the summer working for SwimQuest and already knew the island and the local team well.