After weathering the gale-force winds of Tuesday, we were relieved to spend last night in the peaceful bay of Amorgos. Our first stop on this serene island was the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, one of the oldest monasteries in Greece. We followed the donkey path up to the foot of the monastery where we marveled at the gorgeous setting for our hike. The gleaming, whitewashed monastery clung to imposing cliffs that dropped to vibrant blue seas that were whipped by the wind into curious patterns.
As we continued into the monastery, we climbed the narrow, irregular staircases to the dimly lit chapel above, hearing from our Greek guide, Nena, about how and why the monastery was built in the late 11th century. The visit concluded with a taste of sweet psimeni raki, which is a local homemade liquor with flavor of honey, cinnamon and clove, and Turkish delight, both of which were served by one of the Orthodox monks in residence.
After we made our way back down the donkey path we traveled to the nearby village of Khôra, which proved to be the perfect spot for photographing the typical cubist architecture of the Cyclades. Some of us took the opportunity to enjoy a break at one of the little cafés lining the quiet main street, while others browsed the many small shops selling jewelry and other crafts made by island artisans. A few guests opted to take an early shuttle back to the port to swim in the pristine waters surrounding the island. All of us returned to the ship for a late lunch and a splendid afternoon of sailing.
Our day concluded with a rousing performance by the all-volunteer Shanty Gang, and we did our best to sing along with traditional sea shanties from England, Germany, and the Philippines.
