Amorgos, Greece
I had heard about the island of Amorgos many years ago when I watched a movie called Big Blue, filmed partially on this small and remote Cycladic island. I remember the blue sea and sleepy fishing harbor where we anchored today. But at that time I had no idea that one of the jewels of Amorgos is the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa with its beautiful story of an icon found floating in the water, and the message to build the church in the most incredible place you would imagine—“glued” to the cliff high above the water. You can get there only by climbing 300 steps surrounded by steep cliffs on one side and deep blue water a few hundred meters down on the other.
After the breathtaking view of the monastery and from its little terrace we stopped in a tiny cute “chora,” a bit sleepy and taking a rest after the high summer season. Refreshing cold frappes or a swim in the crystal clear water down in the port of Katapola made us ready for the afternoon. When the sails went up we took Zodiacs around the ship to see and photograph Sea Cloud in her full glory riding smoothly through the seas pushed by a warm little breeze.
After an afternoon talk about seafaring in the ancient Mediterranean given by nautical archaeologist Rebecca Ingram and a short break with afternoon tea and cakes, we listened to the fantastic history of Sea Cloud followed by the champagne reception in the original suites. The gentle waves rocked us to sleep dreaming about Marjorie and her beautiful yacht.
