We leave Dubai and make one for stop before heading back to Australia for the Summer, to the beautiful Bali... and we have a big suprise lined up for the kids! While this Bali trip is a lot more slower pace and less extravagant than our previous stays, it was the perfect 5 day stop over to adjust to the timezone back home. We love the accomodation, the food, the people and especially our company. Our following two videos in Australia skim over our time there, and regular Smile content will be just around the corner. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

After two days at a more modest stay, we spoilt the kids (and ourselves) and spent our last night in Dubai at Atlantis, The Palm - a 5-star, 1,548 room luxury resort located at the apex of the world's largest man-made island. The resort is centred around a mythical theme based on the legendary lost city of Atlantis. No detail is spared, right down to the pillars and carpet and is sure to amaze any ocean lover, young or old. Adjoining to the resort, and part of our stay was access to AquaAdventure World - recognised as the largest water park in the world and holding many records. While we weren't able to take the GoPro on any rides, frights were had and even more fun! One night wasn't enough to see all it offers, so we plan to spend more time here on our way home after Season 2 on Smile. Ask our kids' (or any) and they will tell you this is the BEST Hotel in the world! Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

The Smile crew are leaving Smile and Winter behind, and heading back to Australia for Summer and to see family. We had flights stop over in Dubai before, but never stayed to explore, and I'm glad we did! We witnessed the world's largest building, shopping mall & synchronised fountains. Most memorable to us though was dune-bashing in a 4WD through the Arabian Desert. There were plenty of belly laughs and scenes that took your breath away. Followed by a cultural experience in the evening. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

Whilst it's still dark we farewell Smile, get ourselves & all of our luggage into the hire car & drive to the airport. What follows is a serious of unfortunate events (or silly mistakes) and after some stress we are on the hr trip to Athens. Here we explore the mighty Acropolis.

With the boat wintering almost wrapped up, we hire a car and go on a road trip to Olympia; where the Olympic Games originated. First while we have the car we 'pause the boat' and take the 3.5 hour drive South to look around this historical sight. Other cruisers had told us previously to hire some VR goggles and that is exactly what we did. They created pictures for us to visualise what the ruins we were standing in front of, actually looked like back in their glory and shared information on them. Home-schooling at it's finest. Honestly, looking back at these videos there is no way of capturing this site that would actually do it justice. We would definitely recommend adding this to your list if you are in the area. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

Into the extremely narrow dock for Smile to be hauled out & kept safely on landed for the Euro Winter. It is a nerve wrecking time seeing your home be lifted by a crane, yet astonishing at the size of Smile once of the water - quite impressive actually. Life on the hard we rip straight into the tasks at hand to get Smile prepared for the wet, windy winter ahead; from full surface wipe downs to avoid mould, Shane servicing the engines and more plus trades coming to look at some love for the sails and a new sail bag to be measured up. All while battling the weather. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

One last fried farewell and we head back North a little close to where Smile will be hauled out in the coming days. We pack, clean hulls, wipe every surface, and any other job we can think of while in the water, to make going on the hard easier. The seasons are definitely changing now and our time on Smile for this year is almost up. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

After a week of bliss we move ahead of a little wind. We fairwell our buddies for the season and head to a nearby island for one last anchorage for the season before we start to get Smile ready for Winter. We have some laughs, wander into town, swim and take in the last of the sunrises for the season. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

A planned three days turns into 10 when life is this good! If it's stunning backdrop and clear waters wasn't enough, throw in being surrounded by some of your best mates on the water, a beach BBQ, star gazing, hike to an old castle - all of this making this week one of my most memorable of the season, and giving me a huge sense of contentment. While we start off relaxing and just enjoying the spot, the days just kept getting better, so be sure to keep watching until the end. Some moments are slower like chats with the kids, or fishing at sunrise but these are actually a collection of our home videos are possibly some of our best memories. With just a few weeks left of Season One this stay filled our cups up. We are slowly preparing for winter in between living it up. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

On the move to find a swimming spot, we head South & wait out the front of Lefkas for the bridge to open. We are near the front of the pack and pass so many boats coming from the opposite direction. Lilah and I paddle over the the beach where goats have gathered and Hugh is surrounded by hundreds of fish off the back of the boat. A little hop to the next spot for some minor boat maintenance, ending with the kids celebrating Shane for Fathers Day. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We left one of my favourite anchorages (with the bluest water) as storm on the way & into the safe holding of Preveza to enjoy the lightning show. The following evening we go to a local sardine festival, only to find our dinghy fuel has been pinched while we were away. Shane has an accident in the stinky waters here, while Amy & Oliver have a good belly laugh at his expense. We head more inland to a little town called Vonitsa with our friends Melusina where we go for a wander amongst the gum trees and have a few quiet days. Back to Preveza, water pump work and one more storm, ready to move on to enjoy our final month of Season One. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We check out of Corfu and head to Albania for our visa (as we arrived a few days earlier than predicted to Greece). This anchorage quickly turned to one of my least favourites... As soon as we could, we left the chaos and made our way South. Stop 1 - a fish farm, but a protected scenic anchorage Stop 2 - we had a Blue Cave on our doorstep Stop 3 - the Bluest water I have ever swam in, and possibly one of my favourite spots to date. Nothing flashy but a huge feeling of contentment. I only wish we could have stayed longer... Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We cross a shallow channel, and tie up to rocks at Syvota. We relax by day, and once it cools off a little we visit town by night. It has a relaxed, holiday vibe to the town and a beautiful outlook for sunset. We leaving our anchor gets caught on another boats chain; we manage to release it then set sail for Corfu island. We spend one day far South, the following at Notos and Kez has her last swim in the Mediterranean. We head for Corfu itself next and anchor just below the Old Town. We wander the streets, take in the atmosphere and get lost amongst the stall and streets. We farewell Nanny who heads home to Australia, while we catch up with our friends from Montenegro before we set sail for Albania in the next episode. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We leave Preveza before the sun is up to head approximately 30 knm to a Greek paradise island; Paxos. First we moor up to the dock in Gaios, the islands capital & main harbour. Known for it's scenic sheltered river-like bay, it's colorful architecture, water-front cafes & restaurants, and it's mazes of narrow streets full of boutiques and shops. Our next stop was Lakka; crystal clear swimming, relaxed town but still plenty of atmosphere. Two nights here is never enough but we enjoy it while we are here. Next episode we head to Syvota, Notos & Corfu before farewelling Nanny off who is heading back to Australia. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

Since arriving in Greece the bridge (barge that moves out of the way at set times to allow boats through) has been closed due to maintenance. The fix? Send down a car ferry to sit between the island and mainland. With the re-opening scheduled for today, we planned our last nights stay for closer. Unfortunately for us, it did not go as planned which meant we had to take the long way round. Fortunately though, we were met with some beautiful scenes and had a safe passage up. We make it to Preveza and stayed 2 nights, before we move to the beautiful Paxos in our next episode. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

After a windy, sleepless night, we make a move at first light, arriving at Kioni just as other boats were leaving, which gave us great position in the bay - opposite the main dock and in shallow water to tie up and make for a perfect swimming space. Our friends 'Topo' (who we first met in Dubrovnik, Croatia) joined us and after spending the day catching up & swimming, we headed into town for dinner. What a delightful, character-filled town it was! From little stores, hand-made jewellery, local children fishing, to music and dining by the water. We shared a meal and laughs. After a few days and a deadline to be further North we set sail for an anchorage with high cliffs and crystal clear water. Unfortunately, being mid peak season, we couldn't find a space for us to tie-up and had to make a call where we would spend the night; either Vasiliki which is known for its wind, but a closer route for tomorrows trip, or the safe bet Nydri, with the bridge at Lefkas due to re-open tomorrow which would make for a shorter more protected journey. We opted for the later but found a spot on the way back for a swim to cool off. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We leave the dock at Lefkas and head straight for a swim spot, after not being able to for a few days. The water and full moon did not disappoint, and Kez finally swims in the Med. We have a special birthday party we wouldn't dare miss, then farewell our friends for a few weeks to go on our own adventures. The following morning we aren't sure exactly where we will end up, but pull into a bay called Filiantro, where we spend the day. Unfortunately the sea bed wasn't favourable, especially with the predicted winds, so with darkness approaching and out second option not a good choice, we settle for the third... In our next episode we go to one of our Top 10 villages in Greece =) Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

After pulling into Lefkas in side wind, the rest of our stay was really nice. There is a stark contrast between morning & night in Lefkas Village and a real locals holiday feel to the town. Our friends from Kaya join us the following day and we spend some quality time with them, before I hire a care and pick up my mum - the kids Nanny, which is super wholesome and made the kids so happy! Following this stay we have a bit of an itinerary trying to show her a lot of the Ionian including places we are yet to see ourselves. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

Leaving Nydri we hop across to a beach anchorage at Vathiavali. It is a busy little spot but we get in nice and close. The water a little fresher, but super clear, plus lots of friends to swim with! Our friends Simon Hendricks & Topo are close by and we spend an evening on the beach watching the sun go down together. Moving on we head towards Lefkas, where we have our first visitor arriving any day =) Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

Following on from a blissful week of meeting new boat families & enjoying everyones company, things took a turn of events... Following this we move on to a popular tourist town Nydri, where we spent the following days swimming in the pool, eating out and some land time. Which also meant we made the most of being near a chandlery & ticked off a few things from the 'to do' list that we had put on the backburner while we were too busy enjoying ourselves.