Last day today so we set alarm for 7, no need as had terrible night sleep (late food last night I think) and was awake at 6. I gave up at 630 and sat on our patio catching up with this. It was so peaceful, the sun rising, bells chiming and the sleepy villages on the hillside and port. I made coffee at 7, woke Russ and we were in the port for breakfast at the bakery by 745! The best donut and very large milky coffee and we were on our way to the
The Monastery of Hozoviotissa.

No wind today, very hot, glad we walked when we did. There were already cars parked and we geared ourselves up with trousers in my bag. There are 300 steps to the monastery and my goodness we felt each one in the early morning heat! We had a frozen bottle of water with us and it soon melted giving us ice cold water to drink.

It certainly is a sight to see, we entered, put trousers on and climbed the stairs to the first room. It was very busy with one of the 3 monks taking us all in for refreshments. He told me to put a skirt on so I wrapped my shawl over my trousers. There are clothes by the way if you forget even though I had read there were not. It was kind of funny, 2 rooms full,of people. Some tourist some greek ladies chatting with the monk, the tourists 6 of us, sat around wondering, well not quite sure when we should pay and what would happen next. A gentlemen sat next to me whispered, "we have been here 20 minutes, not sure what's happening. Do we wait for the monk to stop talking? Is there a guide?" I didn't know and as we had a full day ahead of us I asked the guy who was busy with refreshments. I asked if we could look around. He said yes and asked a young man to show us. So off we go the guy who had whispered and was grateful I had asked! We went down some steps and into the church. He stayed with us telling us why watches, a sword, a captains hat hung on the walls, together with old paintings and silver and gold carvings. This and the ones we had sat in plus the entrance room are the only rooms you can visit. I felt a little disappointed.

Top tips - take cold water for walk up
Steps are slippy be careful
Camera of course for views, not allowed inside.
Ladies cannot wear trousers it has to be long skirt, men just trousers ok with short sleeves

We headed very sweaty to the road down to the beach, Agia Anna, parked up and walked down several rocky steps to the beach. A lot of nudists carry on but we stayed at the first tiny beach having it to ourselves. We stripped off, swim wear on and straight in the refreshing sea. Here again the water very quickly goes deep but crystal clear and levels out with the rocky boulders on the sea bed rising above the water. We snorkelled and Russ read in the shade of the parasol whilst I snorkelled some more. I can't see the camera view anymore so I just point and film! I found a very pretty coloured crab hope I caught him.

We dragged ourselves away and headed to Chora to see the sights. Our map gives descriptions of Chora and street plan and Russ led us through the pretty tiny streets. We sat in the square next to the police station and had lunch, choc milkshake, Greek salad and toastie for Russ with Fix €20.

We continue our tour, up to the windmills and around to the old cisterns back to the Venetian Castle.

We next head for petrol to Katopla and had planned to go,to the Minion sights but couldn't find the road out! Well we did to want to go to Finx Bay first but took the wrong street twice and ended up on the road, well track following the coast, a dead end. I spotted the statue so we parked up, walked, took pics and decided the beach called so we drove to Agios Pavlos beach. A small stretch of whitish pebbles where you could take a boat or swim(if you are a strong swimmer) to Nikouria island. I was straight in, then Russ to get wet, all stoney bottom but very smooth. I snorkelled, the small blennies and fish that like to nibble me as I floated, very easily I might add watching the few fish at their business. They all seemed to be right in the shallows as you enter the water.

We stayed till around 6 and drove into Eiagilia for tea, a side street taverna just by the port. Russ had pepper pork, I chicken with feta and tomatoes. Vodka and beer came to €30 oh and stuffed vine leaves.

We caught up on blogs and at dusk drove back to pack. We leave this beautiful rugged mountainous island tomorrow on the 7 am ferry to Naxos.

We feel like we have been here 2 weeks, Santorini less than a week ago feels like a distant memory.

We have loved every minute of our 5 nights here. The 2 walks recommended to us were just fabulous, visiting the villages, love Amorgi Studios, Eagiali, ( sorry I can never remember how to spell it!).

Top Amorgos Tips
Walk hike 1
Walk hike 4
Hire a car for 2 days, driving is fabulous too.
Sunset above Chora (there is a lay by to pull into)
Stay in Aegiali
Don't eat or drink in the same place twice!
If you have a memory like mine, take lots of photos and videos!
Pebble beaches are better than sandy don't be put off!
Bring a snorkel mask