We awoke after a peaceful night at anchor in the Bay of Katapola, on the western side of the Island of Amorgos. After breakfast, the ship’s Zodiacs took us speedily ashore, in two staggered disembarkations, to facilitaite our visit to the cliffside monastery and to accommodate the “non-climbers” and swimmers in the group.
Aboard island buses, we ascended to the top of the island’s mountainous ridge and had a beautiful view of Sea Cloud at anchor off the port town. Then, in crossing over to the island’s eastern side, we marveled at the vastness of the mountains, enormous rock faces, and the great blue Aegean below.
Arriving at the drop-off, all guests were amazed at the sight of Hozoviotissa, a monastery dating from around the 11th century AD, gleaming white above us on the side of a towering cliff. The majority of the group made the slow climb up the stone trail with some 300 steps—and the destination proved worth the trek. We explored the narrow stairways, small rooms, cells, rock-hewn chapel, and rooftop which is about eight floors high though only a few arm-spans wide. After a taste of the local spirit, rokomelo, the group hiked back down to the buses.
A short transfer brought us up to Hora, positioned there for protection from marauding pirates. Dropped off at the higher end, we made our way down the narrow pathway of this most authentic of Cycladic old towns, enjoying the tiny squares, gleaming white houses, bright colors, cafés, and winding alleys. Afterward, our buses returned us to the port town where guests could further explore and where many took a swim from shore before tendering back to the ship.
Once outside the bay, Sea Cloud crew set a few sails in the increasing wind from the north. Photography instructor Jose Calvo presented Photography 101 as the sea began to roughen in the infamous Meltemi wind. Due to the stiff breeze, itinerary plans were prudently changed, and Sea Cloud sailed on eastward, out of the wind and toward the island of Patmos.
