Bye Bye Benko - Unser letztes Video

Hello and welcome to a new video from Sailing Benko Yes we're still here Many have asked which is really nice if we are doing well And yes we are doing well We had a beautiful summer and this time the camera was not so focused ad because we just wanted to spend time with friends and family And there it is Sometimes it can be a bit annoying when the camera is running all the time Therefore we're telling you In the video just tell what we experienced this summer and where went And we are also already at a place you might know I don't know if you've already noticed it in the background here Recognized The lagoon Because we are back in Messolonghi We arrived here a week ago We have arrived and have already taken our winter mooring spot And there is also No more all the other information in the upcoming video Yes and you have the title of the video Read it And there's one more thing we need to tell you I can only say so We have a lot to say beforehand It's not clickbait We are actually saying goodbye What exactly it looks like why And what it's all about you'll find out at the end of the video That's where everything comes together And now we wish you a lot of fun with the video I'll start off with a small one A look back at our this year's summer or our this year's season And for us was Actually our main goal which we set for this year was to go to the Northern Sporades Come and see the northern Sporades islands as well Many sailors have already recommended them It tells how beautiful it is there And it really is very beautiful there More about that later We wanted to avoid being just in the Aegean islands during the high season depend on whether the MeltiMi is blowing there That is the prevailing wind there And then it can also I would like to reach around 40 knots And also with the view that this is our first season now w We were on board we just wanted to get such situations hard to come ashore Avoid And so we decided on the way to the northern Sporades In the las We also showed you how we drove through the Kalkita bridge That is It was really a super cool experience If you're interested just check out the video Before that we documented everything Then you can look at it again After Kalkita we first put some distance between us during the night Then we eventually went to the They are the sources of Lutra Edipso It is really a super cute place It is a spa town There are hot springs and I also took a little dip in them with the Sapp watched The water is really very beautiful turquoise And the sand-colored stone that makes That's really a very nice picture even from the water And were there I think a few days located And it was really the only boat So we had the bay to ourselves And I am Of course I've also gone down to the hot springs They run down the stone And one It can be really nice to relax under warm showers There is one thing I have to say She didn't really like Rubo Small pools also arise through these sources Where you can really sit down And there really are 10 people sitting there from 6 in the morning 20 30 people in these small tanks I sat in once for a short time I just didn't feel very comfortable So I went back out But it is It is definitely a beautiful place You should take in the view along the way from the island of Olböa Don't miss out After the hot springs we then continued along the island of Olböa Made And I did some more research online And a nice little island group Found There are seven islands They are called Lichadounisia That island group And there We also wanted to make a stop Because it said online that these were the small Seychelles of Greece We were also naturally curious to take a look At the beautiful turquoise water and the sandy beaches We have to say it's really very beautiful there But now It doesn't remind me of the Seychelles The two of us have never been to the Seychelles But you know Truly beautiful beaches And we once sent up the drone And you can imagine your ow Make your own image It was definitely a pleasant stay It's really there at all Nothing There is a small beach bar And otherwise maybe a few tourist boats during the day Come by But really a nice stop Just to go swimming And a little bit of this o explore small island groups And those who enjoy diving and snorkeling In this corner There are also two shipwrecks as far as I can remember I'm sorry but it's not visible in the drone footage ot found But maybe someone will find the wreck and want to explore it whe Even there it's still the case Another tip we received also from other sailors is I must make an immediate stop In the large bay which I would now call Wollos The Gulf also has a name I think it is the Parga-Sightic Gulf It is a bit complicated But anyone who types "Wollos" into Google will definitely find this place And Wollos is also a good one We have learned that there is a place to charter and there is also an airport there so you can Very well And it's really a tip from us go in there for sure You will find There are really very beautiful bays there that are also not overrun at all We were there Even in the high season one has to say We found a bay called Nies Bay there We were really there I think for a week or even longer And maybe two Boote are seen You can also take really great walks there They are always isolated Again a few beach bars and some taverns but really quite pleasant And we We had a really good time And in the corner we also met some sailors with whom we spent some time in another bay that we really liked this year Spent It's called Amos Beach And Amos Beach is truly beautiful You ca It has a white stone beach where you can also take a nice walk The only thing you He must know that there are really no supermarkets or places to get water there get gas or refuel Also you really lie there quite often but you can get great experiences Walking through olive trees enjoying olive groves And it is truly also a place where and escape the hustle and bustle And we really have it there We really enjoyed it After spending quite a bit of time in the Wol-um-Wollos area We then went to the first island of the Sporades Specifically it is Skiathos I must say retrospectively is indeed the most touristy island for us There is also an airport there That's really great We can only recommend it if you have guests Whether you want to stop by the board or just fly there for a nice countryside vacatio Spending time There are so many cafes so many shops In the evening the city is really busy and you can let yourself be guided through the small alleys So it was definitely after of our time in the countryside I must say A nice change of pace And we have really enjoyed the hustle and bustle enjoyed for a few days but were also glad to go back on board and drop anchor again liegen There is a harbor a city pier where you can dock But we have always They decided on the option of anchoring and it all worked out perfectly with the dinghy to get ashore o come and as said collect our visit Maybe Skiathos is the one or other names for the approach to this island or this airport is quite difficult Spectacular And many also say it resembles the runway in Martinique There is the approach We had to take a look at it of course even though it was really just barely above the water I really have to say Ruwe and I had an adrenaline rush of 10 when you Under this plane and the one that flies so close above it It's really an experience You should definitely check it out when you are there I have already said that Skiathos is the perfect place to gather and we naturally took advantage of that I had my mom visit which made me incredibly happy After all we hadn't seen each other for a long time We didn't really see much time and it was a total spontaneous action We actually had two She booked her flight the day before and came on the boat and was lucky enough to join us Enjoying a beautiful sailing life here and also following it live and we had a wonderful week and she I was able to meet Uzo which made me very happy That was really a nice time and We soon had the next visit from a friend of mine with whom were We then also sailed to one of the next Sporades islands and we really did aga A super good time and it's just so nice to have friends and family on board and the time with whom to enjoy the boat After we left Skiathos we are We then went to Skopelos and Alonissos In Skopelos we used a mooring line for the first time It was also a very big experience but we managed to do it It took some time It took time but it eventually worked and we also had our usual success in this bay Friends of Sailing Amari met which was really beautiful Especially we have the whole Winter spent together the dogs recognized each other again and we had a very good time Time and tide were also definitely there for a week in the bay It's really nice you have there Even in a neighboring town there are small cafes and a few restaurants and we are really comfortable there Letting them go and spending time with them and after that we actually ended up with Amari We sailed to another island because we saw in the weather forecast that there would be thunderstorms and Rain coming towards us and then going to the island of Alonissos where we then found a spot were hiding there and weathered it Fortunately it wasn't half as bad as it seemed It was just a few rain showers over us but it was still cool to be with another boat o spend another week there After our time with Laura and Peter it was already At the end of August which is also a bit towards the end of the peak season and that was reason enough for we need to slowly start our way back because as you now know we have Messolong It was once again selected as our winter port and to do so there were ultimately two options Either one retraces the path we came from that is through the bridge from Kalkida or you just go around the outside The whole thing has the advantage of being a bit more Faster you don't have to take such a big detour and go back through the bridge but you You can just drive straight down which of course is also due to the prevailing wind The one coming from the north is favored meaning there is wind from behind It is naturally so a slightly rougher sea because naturally there is no coastal protection but exactly for that reason We made the decision and it was really cool We actually went 50 miles in a day Sailed which was really really nice and we had a lot of fun and the back again with short stops on the way to Athens and then in the one I'll call It was a nice day in Athens we spent a bit more time there and also had a few nice moments We looked at the bays because there is also a lot to see there and then we set off made to the Corinth Canal The Corinth Canal has been such a story this year those who They know that He did admit it last year because there was a departure from the country Then they opened for a few months in the summer of this year and it was completely uncertain When it will reopen and there were thousands of data circulating and we also didn't know it That's why we said to ourselves we want to go through we don't want to go around again from the bottom Peloponnese but we want to go straight through the channel because it's already been forever since we left we decided to do it because it was on our bucket list That we will go through there at the end of September to be on the safe side went through the entire process how it goes through the channel and how everything works It works so we also filmed it for you I will show it to you now We are Arrived here in Cala Marquee Bay yesterday so really just the cove in front of the Corinth Canal and today we are already going through it and we have already done a bit of research ow it works I will call the Port Authority or the Canal Authority right away Channel 11 and ask if we can go to the Pier They have here where we are anchored A pier where you can tie up on the side There you lie down to then pay the fairy I It is unfortunately very very expensive Also they seem to have raised the prices again What I have heard is that it is the most expensive channel in the world in terms of distance So there we are ervously wondering what it will cost in the end But you just lie there pay your fee and then go Back to the boat and then they tell you when the channel opens That is actually a One-way street It goes either from east to west or from west to east That's why you are there Dependent on the authorities who tell you when to start and when not to And we They are already very excited and very eager because it has been on our list for a long time and we are looking forward to it Yes I just paid the fee It was 202 euros for our size So we're just under twelve meters so you can get an idea And you pay directly here in this office It's right here right at the dock And now it's going to It's already going to start pretty quickly They said it could start in about 20 minutes And we are waiting Now regarding the radio license we can start driving Looking back it has also been the case The channel was definitely worth it It was a huge experience though quite expensive of course But it was worth it It was definitely worth it and we are very glad that we managed to do it in time There was amely a few boats that then well the canal finally closed on October 10th and somehow announced it a day earlier There were a few boats that didn't make it We were really glad when we finally got through But when you go from east to west It must be clear to anyone who passes through that there are not really good anchorages and good Protected mooring spots right after the channel And you really have to pay attention to the weather We had Even if you are happy now it might be that afterwards the wind hits you full in the face You have to You just have to be a little careful But as I said it was pretty good here and we then had a made a big splash after the channel and then went to Itea and there we had a A very special experience We anchored there next to the harbor as the only boat it was quite Calmly and then when were on land we found out that a major sea battle is taking place today It's attached And we thought they would just do a little bit of a climate change and in the evening went out for a bite to eat And what completely blew our minds was that o Once there was fireworks so distress signals so flares were fired and the whole sea was red and colorful and full of music and explosions And we stood up and looked out to the sea and truly the Benko was the only ship at anchor with her small anchor light and around Around us there were just small speedboats that had made a third We were really also just briefly the My heart stopped thinking something had happened to Benko But in the end everything was cool and it was Even a cool experience It looked pretty nice from the land And after that went when the After Tromborium was over were back at the boat and everything was cool And the next day We then went to Trezionia It is really an incredibly beautiful island in the Gulf From Corinth We hadn't considered that at all and it was more like no one had We had planned a stopover but we liked it so much there that we decided to stay Two more weeks because it was really very nice and we are having a bit of summer there now Let it fade out if one can put it that way And from there we are now back again our winter harbor to the well-known Messolonghi When we arrived again in Messolonghi here e entrance to the lagoon it really was worth it It felt like coming home That was a wonderful feeling and we ended up staying I went straight to the restaurant here to Mimi's and said hello to the guys And they welcomed us with a hug and a big smile So we have bee Welcome here felt truly good and it was a real good decision to come here to Messolonghi We came back again We also ran into our friends in town again so it was really a great time A wonderful welcome And above all it was somehow cool to be back again because We also adopted him last winter here found him And for him It's probably some kind of a way to be at home or was Therefore that was also Very nice And since I'm already on the topic of Messolonghi and Uso I thought give you a quick look back at how Uso's summer went Many have always asked how you do it with walking the dog and how you do it w Night trips or things like that We have to say we deliberately chose this season We decided not to take any longer strokes because for us it was all new o the dog on board And it has simply turned out that way on the route We usually traveled about 30 nautical miles In the end went a bit over but that was Uso That's really well hidden And 30 nautical miles is about our comfort zone so to speak of the hits And before that we just took him for a long walk in the morning and played a bit with him on the beach Wet and then in the evening went out again for a very long walk So like that we did it with the longer strokes When we are at anchor we are actually In the morning at noon or in the afternoon and then in the evening I went with him It should be said tha It was so hot in the summer in July and August and he was most of the time on the boat There he got to know Laid on the ground cooled and slept And therefore we are usually in the afternoon For a quick paddleboard ride or to cool off in the sea and everything was perfect Perfectly done We also noticed that Uso only feels uncomfortable on the sailboat when it's windy When Room and I say that this isn't our best weather today Above all when it comes to wavy seas or waves from the front Otherwise He was very relaxed spending most of his time sleeping or playing while sailing He was overall happy or gave a happy impression And I think it also shows that way That he oriented himself towards us And we really had a very very nice time with him We are on the board and would never want to be without him here as a crew member Yes and now We'll now get to the tough part of the video let's just call it that We've already covered it beforehand Announced so it's not clickbait We will actually leave Benko We have decided now in the summer and will also sell the Benko in this move This is a very difficult decision for us and it also hurts a bit to be honest One must say it honestly But the reason is actually quite simple Those who e ones who have been following us from the beginning know that we originally planned our trip for two and a half years We had actually planned it as a sabbatical for us just as a break and then with the optio Back to the original topic And that is exactly what our savings were intended for So you know that we financed our trip through our savings And one must now Just say that the money is almost gone It's simply the case at the end of the day And of course we still have a few euros in the bank This is also very important to us because we need also a little money to help us rebuild a little life I'm talking abou I believe it's for both of us We aren't the type to have zero euros in our account right now en come back again That's kind of silly That means we have a small Puffer which is also important to us And this is how it looks This is the current decision Yes what many of you probably don't even know is that we are now not moving into an apartment e property we have sublet or anything else back to Munich but we have to our Rebuild your life completely And since we still somehow fit this free lifestyle somehow We have decided on a very good solution or one that leads a bit further A very good interim solution We have planned to pick up a camper van in January or have the option to get one And through the sale of Benco we will hopefully have a bit more budget available and can live our lives w Drive the motorhome a bit further and maybe take a very slow way home To take part Yes and that has brought us many advantages Firstly the dissolution of Benco Easier if we can just move everything into the motorhome And also for Uso It is the easiest travel option simply being on the road in a caravan Therefore It is the best compromise for us now as we can still extend our trip a little bit can with Benco's budget then almost But it is obviously incredibly hard for us We just have to say it because we really enjoyed the time both with you and with them e people we have personally gotten to know here It was a cool time We've put in an incredible amount of effort You know that we've done a complete one This yacht has been refitted Therefore it is naturally not easy but it was naturally It was planned from the beginning and when one is honest one also knew that at some po This step will come But when it arrives it is naturally anything but easy Many of them You might naturally also wonder why you didn't find out right at the beginning I sailed across the Atlantic and why didn't you go further and ended up just in the Mediterranean on the way We have to be completely honest for us it was really just a matter of Gut feeling decision a gut decision and we had the start if you remember Yes back then with Corona and it wasn't easy to travel from country to country We had We also thought a lot about whether we should take the step while Corona was in the Caribbean o sail Looking back we have to say but we are incredibly glad that we took the time Enjoyed 100% here in the Mediterranean and especially Greece if you look back now For this season we have just managed to reach the northern Sporades and we love it Just enjoy the lifestyle on the sailboat take your time and be in one place for a week It was always a bit of the feedback from people we met who were o They had said "Oh people you have it so good you can just go out on a charter boat " Four days anchored and not moving and I have to say that was for us I personally value this break more than covering as much distance as possible Naturally Everyone is different anyone can do it their own way But for us it was really something special in retrospect Make the right decision Yes Ruben has already said it a few times you can probably tell o present that it is a rather tough decision The Benko is simply our little floating At home which has carried us everywhere and oh God those tears keep coming back But now it's time for us to just get money We want to earn money because we certainly don't want to give up life on the water so easily and so quickly and I think we both are water lovers we somehow belong on the water We have noticed in recent years and who knows perhaps in a few years there will be en a Benko 2.0 but now it's back to hard work and making money Exactly making money and we ow now what life on a sailboat is like We have made so many friends also in sailing Community made and yes you can definitely prepare yourselves If there are any news updates Are you the first to find out Yes we also appreciate you as a community so much I have a lot to be grateful for whether it's the support the comments or somehow the assistance Over the years that was really very nice and we wanted to give something back en if someone among you is interested in the Benko as A new ship which we would very much prefer to present online first Our plan is to maybe post the ad online in January but we want to inform you now The community would already have the opportunity to take a look at it beforehand And our idea is actually the following you will find a link below in the video description there you can a Register your email address if you have specific interests especially if you are genuinely interested in purchasing We will en create a short exposé in the next few weeks with all the important information abou Boot equipment price etc Also everything you need to know and then you just do it send these email addresses This means either if you are personally interested in the Benko If you or perhaps someone you know is interested in a really well-maintained long-distance hunt en they like to enter the email address We will send it out in the next few weeks and Yes then it will go online next year Now we will return to Munich after a long journey because these are things for example We are really looking forward to it We have been spending Christmas with our families for two years They have not been seen anymore and last year could only briefly go to Germany and also separately From now on we will be celebrating Christmas again for the first time in over two years Families celebrate and also New Year's Eve Therefore we have decided to talk about Patras here To take the ferry to Venice and then the night train so that we can also take the Uso with us We couldn't and didn't have to squeeze him into a plane in such a cage We thought that way This is the better decision Perhaps many are now wondering what happens to the Sailing Benko YouTube channel That has actually been our main channel through which we also communicate with you We will leave the channel as it is If anything interesting comes up in the Direction is happening a new sailboat you will find out about it on the channel first We also have Throughout the year we've also been filming a lot on Instagram short stories about what we do during the day We will definitely continue to do this and we will continue to take you along Even now of course when it comes to the sale with Benko and our trip to Munich You can also stop by our Instagram page We will mention your name here again And yes then it's time to say goodbye here on the channel and it was a great one Time with you Thank you for everything and without you Damn you keep going Yeah so I think Steffi wanted to say that it would have been only half as nice without you Thank you for your support and for those what were they now four years I think so Yes four or five years during which we raveling with you and as I said as Steffi already said the sailing life is He did not die for us We just need to earn a bit more money So that we will probably be back on the water with a larger ship and until then good luck