Amorgos and Ios Islands
Today we set off to explore the most easterly of the Cyclades, the island of Amorgos. Approaching this morning, we came across a long, narrow and dramatically mountainous island with inhospitable coasts. Our impression changed as soon as we docked at the friendly port of Kalapola tucked into a bay below the hilltop Chora.
A short bus ride from the south to the north coast (mind you the island is very narrow) gave us the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the barren, wild, unspoiled and inviting landscape of Amorgos. Steep hills with terraced slopes were evidence of the persistence of the people to tame and cultivate this land and stay on their islands no matter the hardships. The purple flowers of wild thyme, the blooming caper plants and the red leaves of euphorbia provided beautiful colored dots on the brown background.
Our ride brought us to the spectacular monastery of Hozoviotissa which appears suddenly on a sheer drop of the southern coast. Its vast wall gleaming while at the base of a precipitous rock is overwhelming. The monastery was founded in the 11th century around a miraculous icon. The view from the church’s terrace is breathtaking. After our visit was completed we were escorted into a reception room and treated to a sugary loukoumi, a shot of rakomelo and a glass of water to round off our experience.
Then we moved on to Chora, a dazzling, pretty and unspoiled white village dominated by a rock plug with a 13th century fortification. It is one of the best preserved settlements in the Cyclades with a few cafes, tavernas and rooms with a laidback atmosphere. We returned to Kadapola for free time and we sailed at lunchtime to proceed to Ios. After a little afternoon rest we anchored off of the island of Ios for a lovely swim. An introductory geology lecture by Michelle set us in the mood for tomorrow’s visit in Santorini.
