Day 7 - Monastery tour on Sami, sail to Vathi on island of Ithaka Today are the only scheduled land tours. There is a cool cave that requires a taxi ride to get to, and a monastery along with nearby winery for which a van has been arranged. I wanted to do both but was under the impression the cave taxi was leaving at 9:30. Getting up at 9 I learn that the actual time for that was 8:30. So now I could only do one and decided to stick with the monastery and the winery visit.
A boat leaving the marina seemed to have trouble with snagging the anchor and required outside assistance to free it. Later I will learn there is a techniue to that.
The road leading up to the monastery is narrow and winding, offering some cool views.
The monastery itself dates back to the 1,600s but most buildings were destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt. I don't recall the year. There is a cave inside where the monk, who was later pronounced a saint, lived. The monastery itself is elaborately ornate, in stark contrast to the cave.
There is a ladder down to the cave which consists of two rooms connected by a very narrow hole through which one can crawl. Even with LED lighting the air is a bit stuffy. 400 years ago fire was the only source of light, so basically you had either light or air. Not a choice I would willingly put myself into position to have to make. What would make one want to live in a cave so desperately? Humans are weird.
I try the passageway. OK, now I can say I've been there. I suppose I could research the history (or ask GPT) - it might make more sense if I did.
Next to the monastery building is a larger and even more ornate church. No cave there.
An interesting experience for perspective. The natural cave that I chose to skip would have likely impressed me more but informed me less. So all good. Winery next.
We sat through a well delivered presentation on the wines, tasted four of them. I liked one and bought a bottle. Back to the boat and on to next destination which is Odysseus' home island of Ithaka. Whether history, myth, or a likely mix, it is fun to be sailing the same waters and walking the same ground. Poseidon grants us good winds so we do more fun sailing.
Then almost like a switch the wind is gone and we motor for a while, although looking at the water in the distance we can see where the wind is.
And win we find. This seems to be typical here. Odysseus didn't have engines (or ability to sail upwind, that I know of), so no wonder it took him 10 years :)
The formation below looks almost like a meteor or huge bomb crated. But looking at beach areas and caves, it is more likely the result of erosion of locally soft stone.
Tonight we are anchoring in a small bay, with no town or marina. This involves rafting the boats together, after setting anchor, and tying the stern lines to rocks onshore. Another good thing to practice.
Between the boats and the shore we create a local swimming pool. Water is perfect. Still no marine life. Just some seaweed and a couple urchins. This time I put the phone in the waterproof case and get a few pix from swimmer's perspective.
In the evening some congregate on other boats, I just chill with my liquid dinner and enjoy the moment. Thoroughly.
At night one of the boats turns on the lights so it looks even more like a pool. Except the color is real, not just some paint on cement walls. I contemplate a night swim but given the amount of wine consumed decide to skip it.
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