Golden Sun Pátmos

... received his vision from God.

In town we happen to meet another couple from the ship that was interested in visiting the Grotto of the Apocalypse and afterwards the Monastery of Saint John. We joined together and rented a taxi that would take us up the hill to the Grotto and then further up the hill to the Monastery. Being on a small ship visiting a small port at the end of the season makes all the passengers feel like residence of a small town that are friends ...

... up the local turkish culture. We didn´t spend too long ashore today as though as we had to be back on board by 12 noon to set sail for Patmos. Again we docked in Patmos about mid afternoon. However this time the port was full so we dropped anchor somewhere in cove near the shore and waited for tender boats to come and collect us. We spent the afternoon walking to the top of on of the hills to get a look at the islands monestary and amazing views across the harbour ...

... lovely tour guide Heba (joy) and headed half an hour out of Kusadasi to the ruins of Ephaseus.
Since we were so quick out on the tender and our bus was first out we were first to the Ancient site of Ephaseus. We went down the pathways past the gate of hercules, the roman baths and the library to the massive theatre (ampithetre is 2 theatres put together). With some free time we walked around the ampithetre then out to the markets..Dan tried on some sunglasses that still ...

... it actually was for me, it seemed very touristy but Alexis and I managed to escape and get lost in some of the little streets and then find somewhere to watch a beautiful sunset before heading back to our home for the next few nights - The Aquamarine. Maybe it would have been a different if we had gone to the other side of the Island (the party beaches).

We spent the morning in Turkey at Kusadasi and ...

... Ephesus, John was banished to this island until the emperor's death and during this time he wrote the book of Revelations. By visiting the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, they were able to see where he had slept, prayed, and wrote.

The small Greek Island of Patmos was the most emotional experience on our voyage thus far. We actually visited the cave in Patmos where John was exiled and penned the inspired Book of Revelation. Words cannot express how special that was. Although photos and video are not permitted, we received special permission to tape for Travel with Spirit from the monastery. We were blessed!

... the time of the Romans, Patmos was utilised as an ideal detention centre for exiles, hence St. John's arrival on the island. He was banished from Ephesus for witnessing and preaching the Christian faith in AD95; he stayed for two years. By the year 1088, the island was more or less uninhabited during Byzantine years and was handed over to Agios Christodoulos of Latros, a monk who initiated the ...

... Supposedly this is where John, one of the Apostles of Jesus, received visions, which he recorded in the Book of Revelations, now part of the Bible. Interesting place, there is like this church thing built around it and then you literally go down into a cave. We weren't allowed to take any photos, so I just have some from the outside.

As a result of routine mass consumption of local fare, in Spain and Italy my waist and gut line suffered the most brutal and speedy onslaught of weight gain in 23 years. Spain took its toll with its chorizo and egg bocadillos, Italy was demoralising with with its pizza by the slice and pasta feasts with oil soaked bread, and let's not forget the sturdy influx of alcohol in both countries. Despite my best efforts to combat this inevitable expansion via additional ...

... fifty years old. When did that happen? The good part was that my ferry to Santorini didn't leave until 2pm so I was able to spend most of my morning falling asleep in the sun by the pool, making up for the sleep I didn't get the night before. There are benefits to being in Greece when you are sleep deprived... falling asleep in the sun is a very acceptable way to spend a day here.