Overcast morning - spoilt, too cold for a swim!
Sailed directly to Patmos, mooring in the harbour at Skala. Great place to revisit, with the 'castle', Monastery of St John & historic settlement of Chora, above the town, architecturally stunning, & a great example of a Greek Orthodox pilgrimage centre. Potential raiders of the monastery were spectacularly unsuccessful, the maze of narrow alleys were purpose built in all directions but direct to the monastery, making it easy for the locals to get ahead of the opposition.
The Cave of the Apocalypse, where the disciple John hung out & is purported to have written the Book of Revelations in his cave circa AD95 is a simple, beautiful spot, with great views over the sea, an is now a world heritage listed site.
Both are worth the hike up and down the mountain on the old stone road.
Views are spectacular, and a bonus being here now is there are few tourists to contend with, of course we aren't, therefore few crappy souvenir shops open!
Back to the boat to find Toby & Jo, then Peter & Mary on 4 wheeled motor bikes that could barely pull the skin off a rice custard, but adequate to tackle the islands roads!
Dinner on shore, on the beach- see photos. Stunning evening, light breeze, fun watching the kids who finished their year at school congregating on the beach & having a ceremonial burn of their school notes for the year!
Fireworks over the Monastery announcing 40 days after Greek Orthodox Easter, when the Spirit of Christ ascends to Heaven, & is a time when spirits of your loved ones head the same way.
A beautiful night!