Patmos II

The last leg of sailing to Patmos was done on motor. The seas were so calm.
I'm quite amazed at the lack of other vessels along the way. We always see a few sailboats in the distance and a ferry or a working boat. It had been one of my few concerns that we would be busy watching traffic all around us. Even the harbours have been relatively empty. Maybe the 'recession' has hit a few yacht owners.

Patmos has a lovely big bay and the town is spread all around it's edge and on up the hillsides.

I love the Greek buildings. They are basically white cubes built upon each other, with rectangular or arched windows and doors.
The richly coloured plants grow against the white houses, generally in pots, and are enhanced by the contrast.

The streets are busy, many motor scooters rushing to and fro. It can seem very noisy and not a little dangerous when walking along the roadways. Here in Patmos there are no sidewalks so you must be very watchful. Very few riders wear helmets and often you see a child on the front of his parent's bike.

We visited St. John's monastery which sits atop the highest hill. We rode a bus up to it, 1.50E. The initial building was built in 1088 AD. It is definitely Greek Orthodox in décor. The artifacts in their world class museum date at least as far back as the 6th century.
We looked at a book of Job, rewritten in the 6th century, and an illustrated Gospels rewritten in the 9th century. Incredible works of art and dedication.
There were many ornate pieces of service, blessing crosses, incense bowls, crowns, mitres, robes, jewels, icons. We had to buy a book so we can remember what we saw since no photographing was allowed inside.

Around the monastery is the old town. It is a wonderful place to wander. The pathways are made wide enough only for you and your donkey. You walk from building to adjoining building. Even inside this maze of streets you find a little flower pot or a grand bougainvillea adorning a wall. You never know quite what you'll see around the next corner. We loved it.
Bus ride back to town.

At 7 pm we rode the bus back to old town so we could see it in the evening light. We walked around a section that we had missed in the a.m. Jim and I have cameras and Dave has one so we are not lacking for photos.

Next morning we took the bus again, this time only up the hill as far as the cave where St. John lived while he wrote Revelation. He had a wonderful view of the bay and islands beyond. It's so interesting that his letter to the 7 churches are situated so near. (and mostly in Turkey, which is not far beyond where he could see with his eyes).
We went with the purpose of leaving a small stone we'd brought from Mexico. We laid it on a window ledge looking the same direction as St. John did. Our small stone is in honour of John Bennett, a family friend and a lover of great travels. He left this world too soon.

We walked down the hill and back to town through a pine and eucalyptus forest. Very special.

There has been lots of walking and climbing uneven stairs. Thank goodness we can still do it with ease.