Porto Scoutari Pátmos

... Aegean Sea. Like most Greek building the monastery buildings were white. The monastery is a complex of buildings that are all connected by walls and other structures. Small courtyards and passage ways are interwoven among the chapel, museum and bell towers. We wander around the monastery and pictured the daily lives of the monks that still live and work there.

All too soon it is time to again board our taxi and travel down the hill side to the port and town ...

... 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 ...

... back and we were on Tender boat 2! :) We got off with the intention of walking to the Grotto where John wrote Revelations..turns out a few of us wanted to go and it was a 20 min stiff walk..so with a stop at the Gelataria we marched off. It was not a stiff pace, so we probably walked half an hour, up a dirty great big hill. The pace wasn't too bad and it was hot..but it wasn't long before we were at the top of the hill and looking at the cave where John was exiled to. It ...

So, here I am in Patmos after visiting Mykonos and Kusadasi. Don't have long but wanted to let you know that all is going well and I am loving the Greek Islands, although the cruise id definitely just a taste test and I can't wait to get back here at some point.

After our Tour managers talk about Mykonos I have to say I was slightly disappointed, sure it was nice but she made it sound more impressive ...

... 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!

... process for the future monastery. Later in the century, work started on the monastery (monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos), and its power at that time extend over the island's borders, to such an extent that the island was never occupied by neither Turks nor Venetians. The only attacks came from pirates now and again. It has the appearance of a huge fortress, overseeing Chora. In fact, it ...

Very early start today as arrived at Patmos Island first thing in the morning. Took some transfer boats to Patmos then caught a bus to go to the Grotto of the Apocalypse of St John. It is the cave where St John got a visitation from Christ and wrote the Book of Revelations. They have built a church by the cave. As it was Sunday there was a ...

... 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.

... the tastiest for the day. Dear God they are good. Perched on a white, curved Greek roof at the edge of the lookout point on the very tip of Oia, Brooks, The Rev and I sat and took in the full magnificence of a setting Greek Island sun. As the great orb of gas turned a deep, rich pink, the sky followed suit and transformed into a technicolour canvas, with jet contrails lingering in all directions. It was the height of romance, and once again i was stuck with ...