Onwards and Upwards

Monday 27 May (Day 34)

Amorgos is a hiker’s paradise.  There are lots of footpaths that crisscross the mountainous terrain.  The only problem is finding them!  We knew there was a footpath to the town of Chora somewhere but could we find it?  In the end we just walked up the main road which wasn’t very busy but it made for a hot walk with the sun radiating back from the road.  Chora itself was very quiet, we thought it was a ghost town to begin with but we did find a very nice café.

The walk back down was much easier because we managed to find the footpath.  The sign said it took 55 minutes but that must have been at mountain goat pace.

Tuesday 28 May (Day 35)

Another walk today, this time to the ancient Minoan town.  This time we managed to find the path but by the time we got to the town all the Minoans had left.  We saw a beach at the end of another long path so we ventured down hoping we could walk back to Katapola along the coast.  Alas, there was no way round so we had to walk all the way back up. 

Wednesday 29 May (Day 36)

Amorgos is also famed for its monastery.  The timetable said that the bus to left at 09:45 but when we arrived at the bus stop at 09:30 it was just pulling off so we only just managed to get on it.

When we alighted at the monastery bus stop there was still a long walk up lots of steps to the monastery itself.  We knew we had to wear appropriate clothing so I was in jeans and the climb was hot work.  At the monastery entrance the sign said that ladies had to wear skirts and that they didn’t have any spare clothing to borrow.  As Tracey hadn’t even packed a skirt she decided to wait outside while I went in for a look.  In the porch there were lots of skirts so I threw one at Tracey so she could come in too.

The monastery somehow clings to the side of the cliff 300 metres above sea level so it is very narrow.  There are only three monks left now and we only saw one of them.  When we got to the top a very nice chap offered us sweets, a drink of water and a liqueur.  Well worth the trip.

How many ships in this photo?

 The road from Katapola to Chora

 Chora windmills

 The Monastery

 "I'll throw you a skirt"

 300m down