Amorgos is one of my favorite islands. It’s definitely off the beaten track, but you might have heard about it because of the great movie of the French director Luc Besson with the title “Big Blue,” filmed partially in Amorgos. So every time we have a chance to come here I’m really happy to share my “little fascination” with our guests. The main focus of the visit is the Monastery of Hozoviotissa. Every photo taken of the monastery in every guide book makes you want to get there, although it’s a hike of over 300 steps. The views on the way are incredibly beautiful so you can take it really slow and admire the “big blue” down below every step you take. The monastery seems to be not so far off, so you just keep hiking with more and more curiosity about the life of the monks inside, as the monastery is literally “patched” on the cliff wall so far from civilization. When you get closer you can’t believe that the building on the cliff has seven floors! The entrance is so tiny that we have to bend our bodies to get under the ceiling. Once inside, even more surprising is that there is a little chapel with the icon of the Virgin Mary found about 1,000 years ago in the waters under the cliffs. The monks have to be really patient with all visitors disturbing them in the silence of their prayers, but they are very nice hosts and serve us samples of rakomelo—a kind of honey liquor that they make themselves. Fortified after the rakomelo samplings, we hike back down back to the bus.
After a short drive we get off in one of the most beautiful “choras” in the Cyclades. Hidden in the hills, this is one of only three towns of the island. Bouganvillas, jasmine, small alleyways, and colorful cafes are seductive and inviting, as we emerge into the relaxing atmosphere of the town. It’s great to have a frappe sitting in the shade in one of the cafes and chatting with the locals. There are a few local artists living there, so we take a look into their stores and admire their creativity. The sky is bright blue and the sun is shining so some of us decide to take the earlier shuttle bus back to port and enjoy a swim in the clear refreshing water. Full of peace, joy, and calmness we go back to the ship.
Afternoon is calm and easygoing. We set almost all the sails as the wind is very light. That allows the possibility of taking a Zodiac photo safari to look at the ship from outside! The Sea Cloud is stunningly impressive under sails. She is beautiful when you are on deck, but being outside and looking at her moving slowly through the crystal clear and calm waters is an incredible experience! I can’t tell you how many photos we took: from the windward side, crossing in front of the bow, from astern and any other angle… But time goes by so fast and now we have to get ready for a Greek buffet dinner. Our chef is Cristian from Germany but wow, he can really cook Greek specialties! Fresh fish, grilled calamari, seafood salad, and eggplant with feta cheese are all delicious. And we finally learn what is the famous Greek galaktobouriko and how it tastes with ouzo! Continuing the big night, we wait impatiently for the Sea Cloud Shanty Gang. Here they come, and it is so much fun to sing shanties together in different languages and mingle with the crew on the lido deck. And the night still hasn’t ended…
