Patmos to Arki
Gaviota
Tue 25 May 2010 19:15
|
37:22.473N 26:44.464E
Tuesday, 25th May
Left Fourni Island Saturday morning expecting more
strong winds but they eluded us so perservered and sailed slowly wing on wing
most of the way to arrive in Patmos early evening and moored at the Town quay in
the centre of Skala, a really pretty town which lies below the imposing
Monastery of St. John which is perched on a rocky hill set in the middle of the
historic town of Chora. Sunday cycled up to Chora but biking gear not
really the right attire for serious religious visiting so left the Monastery for
another day and headed off to the beach at Petra. Patmos has some lovely
beaches and some of the first sandy beaches we have found. Monday (Lisa's
birthday) cycled the other direction to Agriolivadi Bay a beautiful sandy beach,
after several swims we had a meal at a Taverna on the beach, excellent Greek
cuisine. Tuesday morning cycled up to Chora again (this time with decent
religiously appropriate clothing!). Syd decided to take the steep extreme
route cycling up the rocky pilgrims way (complete with technical
sections and steps!) and finally visited the Monastery and its famous
museum of religious artifacts. The site is a World Heritage Site and is
visited by people from all over the world, making Patmos a stop off for the
cruise ships. After visiting the Monastery, which is a beautiful peaceful
place, we cycled back down the rocky pilgrims track to the Holy Cave of the
Apocalypse where St. John wrote the last book of the New Testament after he
heard the voice of God (talking from a rock that split into 3!). Left
Patmos early afternoon and motored (no wind, glassy sea) over to the tiny
island of Arki, spotted 3 dolphins on the way, mooring to a buoy in a
lovely bay at Nisis Marathos, then as it became busy with charter boats
decided to move onto a bay at Arki and watched a spectacular sunset with the
noise of hundreds of goat bells and little else, a lovely peaceful
place.
|