April 2024

Agios Isidoros Chapel: Located in the Bay of Gourna, the chapel of Saint Isidore on Leros was built on a cliff about 50 meters from the coast into the sea – a spectacular sight. It is connected to the coast by a narrow bridge, making it easily accessible on foot or by bike. Here, you can admire the most beautiful sunsets on the island - a purely romantic landscape.

They are many legends around this beautiful sea-chapel. One of them has it that the miraculous icon of Saint Isidore, now kept in the church, was caught in the net of a one-handed fisherman. From her rescue from the sea, the icon was so glad that she promised to fulfill the fisherman's wish. He wanted to have a second hand, which she made grow promptly. To show his gratitude, he built the beautiful chapel of Saint Isidore in the place he luckily caught the icon.

Today, this place is known as a romantic spot where many couples celebrate their wedding. If you are exploring Leros by bike, a visit of the Chapel of St. Isidore is worth it.

Launch date

Edit

Greece
April 1, 2024
24°

Launch is supposed to happen at 11:30. We are in the water tied to the dock. Whew. And all went very smoothly.

Leros

Edit

Greece
April 1, 2024
25°

April 1, 2024

Yay! All our hard work is finished for now.

The boat is in the water and we are sailing to Lakki Anchorage to see our friends Eva and Mario from SY Sagitta and go out for pizza, and pet some cats! 🐾🐾

Leros to Skala, Patmos- 20.9nm

Edit

Greece
April 2, 2024
24°

Sailed from Lakki, Leros to Skala, Patmos.

Gave our paperwork to an agent to check us into our Seaman book. 🤞🤞🤞🤞

A cruise ship comes in everyday so it was busy in town.

Patmos has a bewitchingly spiritual feel about it. That's not surprising given that it was here, in a cave that exiled St. John received the apocalyptic visions that formed sinister Revelations in the Bible.

Pilgrims from around the world visit St. John's cave and the island's monasteries, especially in the whitewashed labyrinth sanctity of hilltop Hora.

Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos

Edit

Greece
April 3, 2024
21°

We started by hiking up over the town to The Cave of the Apocalypse, the place where Saint John, the theologian exiled in 95 AC and envisioned and wrote the sacred up apocalyptic text lies on the north slope of the hill between the harbor of Scala and the medieval sediment of Chara.

A great deal of confusion and uncertainty surrounds the Book of Revelation. But don't worry, it's not the end of the world. Well, maybe some of it is the bits about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalyse, The Battle of Armageddon and the final defeat of Satan say, but biblical scholars broadly agree that Revelation should in fact be read as a denunciation of the era in which it's author lived.

St. John experienced his Revelation on Patmos at the end of the first century CE making it too late for him to have been either John the Evangelist the author of the gospel according to St. John or John, the Apostle or John the Baptist. Instead, he was simply a wandering Jewish/Christian prophet of whom very little is known. Though he has acquired the titles of John, the Devine John, the Revelator John the Theologian and most simply of all John of Patmos. His actual Revelation took the form of a letter to seven Christian churches in Asia Minor condemning the Roman subjugation under which they then suffered and predicting an imminent apocalypse in which the Roman empire would be swept away.

Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, Patmos

Edit

Greece
April 3, 2024

Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.

Immense 11th century monastery come fortress. It was pretty much all under construction. We walked around the outside but it was all closed up.

The entrance courtyard leads to assumptuously fresco chapel fronted by marble columns taken from an ancient temple. Daily worship is at 3:00 a.m.!!

Panagia Diasozoussa, Patmos

Edit

Greece
April 3, 2024

The holy icon of Panagia Diasozousa is considered miraculous and by patmian tradition was painted by St. Luke the evangelist.

Hora, Patmos

Edit

Greece
April 3, 2024
23°

With gorgeous views of the island from its hilltop eyrie enchanting Hora is more than just a whitewashed mountain settlement.

As you wonder, it's incense scented warren of 17th century houses wind gusting through the alleys the Boschian forms of St. John's demons scuddling behind in your imagination. It's easy to see why Hora draws people back again and again. Allegedly there are more monasteries per square meter here in Hora than anywhere else in the world.

Patmos Windmills

Edit

Greece
April 3, 2024
23°

The windmills of Chora

Built in the east of the Holy Monastery of Patmos, on the top of the hill with view of the sea, the three windmills of Chora gave their name to the neighboring district of Mili. From the moment of their restoration in 2010, they can be characterized as another jewel of the island, which was awarded by Europa Nostra.

Windmills (two of which date back to 1588, and the third was built in 1863) fell into disuse in the late 1950s, when the industrial milling replaced the traditional production. The mills in Patmos, as well as in whole Europe, were deserted .

The ruined mills, visible from the sea, moved the Swiss banker and yachtsman, Mr. Charles Pictet, a fervent friend of Patmos. He envisioned them with sails filled with the Aeolus like earthly sailing boats, contributing to both the landscape and the local community, as they had done for four consecutive centuries.

On his initiative and financing, as well as with contributions of individuals and of Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the project of restoration was assigned to the Greek architect Daphne Becket and was completed with the cooperation of people from different horizons, but with the same love and respect for tradition: local shipbuilders, French millers of the eighth generation, Swiss specialists of sailing sails and Greek and French engineers, responsible for the reoperation of the mechanisms. Everyone's purpose was not only to restore the building shell with traditional materials, but also to restore their utilitarian value, their "soul", for them to be dynamic and living organisms, friendly towards the environment.

Today, the first mill reopened as a flour mill, with the aim not only to offer its visitors the image of the traditional flour production technology, but also to assist in the revival of the traditional crafts of flourman and baker and the production of products of the past.

The second windmill, because of the replacement of the grindstone by a generator and the installation of a metal rolling beam with mechanical brake for the waterwheel, is able to generate electricity from wind power. Finally, the plan for the third windmill is water production.

The windmills of Chora are reasonably some of its attractions; they are, however, above all a living monument, a bridge connecting the past with the present and the future.

Another day of hiking.

Edit

Greece
April 4, 2024
19

Hiked to a little white church in the hills.

Skala, Patmos

Edit

Greece
April 4, 2024
20°

Hiking up the the ridge above Skala, Patmos. Its beautiful. More churches and a horse!

Sailed from Patmos to Lipsi - 11 nm

Edit

Greece
April 5, 2024
25°

Had wind so great sail - 11 nm

Decided to side tie to town quay because of the upcoming weather. Wind was pushing us off the dock, luckily a guy showed up to help us moor.

Located between Patmos and Leros, Lipsi (or Leipsoi) is a small island of the Dodecanese. Its remote location and small size have caused the island to remain unnoticed by mass tourism, preserving its unspoiled natural landscape, unspoiled seashores and traditional character of its main town.

The island has no airport. As the island is small and quiet, things to do in Lipsi are limited. There are no organized things to do in Lipsi.

After the mooring guy came, the harbour master came, so we paid him for 2 nights.

Then the owner/chef came from Manolo's to explain his menu and to say he would love to cook for us so of course we need to go.

Bike ride around Lipsi

Edit

Greece
April 6, 2024
21°

Bike ride around Lipsi. A couple of wineries- both closed. Most things are closed right now.

Nice beaches. Alot of churches.

Really not much here, Manolo's Restaurant for dinner. Really, really good! But don't feed the cats!

Walk up and around Lipsi

Edit

Greece
April 7, 2024
20°

Walking up and around Lipsi. Of course, we had to stop at the excellent bakery on the way back in town.

Panagià tou Chàrou (Madonna of Charon)

Edit

Greece
April 8, 2024
22°

Biked up to the Panagià tou Chàrou (Madonna of Charon) to come back during opening hours. No photos allowed. Panagià tou Chàrou (the Madonna of Charon or Virgin Mary of Death) is a unique and significant church located on the small Greek island of Lipsi in the Dodecanese, known for its rare icon and annual, miraculous blooming of lilies.

The Unique IconUnlike traditional Orthodox icons depicting the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, this 19th-century icon shows her cradling the crucified Jesus Christ. It is considered a rare artistic representation showing the mother's lamentation. The name "Charon" comes from the mythological figure (Charon/Haros) associated with death. Every year, a miracle is said to occur involving dried lilies placed on the icon.

Then around the top of the island where you have 360 views.

The Port Police suggested we not leave today it's so blustery. We plan to leave tomorrow.

Sail from Lipsi to Arki- 9 nm

Edit

Greece
April 9, 2024
22

Left Lipsi around 1030am. Wind was pushing us onto the dock. Ended up hitting the dock on our bow under the water shredding our black coating.

Wind was very gusty, it settled down after we past the end of the island. We put a reef in the mainsail.

Stern tied to the town quay. One gullet, us and one other Turkish boat came in around 4:00pm

Arki the Island has its own soul and spirit, which is caused by the 40 inhabitants and former customers, now friends from around the globe.

The small population means that there is no real capital, but most inhabitants live close to the main harbour with the rest living scattered around the island on higher ground. The majority of the population finds employment in fishing, goat herding or running one of the island's four tavernas.

The island is characterized by dry, rocky land with little in the way of vegetation apart from olive trees and some hardy shrubs. Fauna on the island mainly consists of livestock such as goats or donkeys, though herons can be spotted occasionally.

Walked to Panagitsa church.

Arki

Edit

Greece
April 10, 2024
20°

Hiking around Arki.

Arki is the biggest island of the outermost group of small islands located north from Lipsi island. It is a land with longstanding history and special, pure beauty. A solitary island with 40 residents of 6,6 s. km., ideal for those who seek absolute serenity and relaxation. The tradition and simplicity of nature and its residents is enchanting.

Arki island along with the neighbouring islets belong to NATURA 2020 network, as many species of biotopes have been recorded there and become an important area for birds of Greece. The calcareous rocks of the Aegean predominate at the scenery along with many sea caves. The wild fauna of the island group is completed by the hares and partridges, while Caretta Caretta turtle and the Mediterranean seal appear often in the island.

Tiganakia Beach, Arki

Edit

Greece
April 10, 2024
21°

Continue hike to Tiganakia Beach.

A scenic walk to bright blue, rocky bays. Tiganakia: the most famous beach of the island with its unique crystal clear waters and its surrounding rocky landscape. It is accessible only from a specific point by car and then by foot.

Beautiful!

Arki- hike over top of island

Edit

Greece
April 11, 2024
20°

Did a hike a across the island past Limnari Beach. Very rocky, lots of goat/sheep and their poo! Was accompanied all the way there and back by the very friendly and energetic goat herding dog.

Sail from Arki to Samos-Posidonio anchorage

Edit

Greece
April 12, 2024
26°

Very boisterous sail today. Had every type of condition possible. Practiced reefing. Saw dolphins and ended up in a very calm anchorage - finally!

Klima Beach, Samos

Edit

Greece
April 13, 2024
27°

Two other buddy boats arrived today. They wintered in Mytellini so know a lot of our Montenegrin friends. They contacted me on Navily to see about the anchorage so we had a chat with them once they got here.

Walk to Klima Beach

Wow, everything is either boarded up or closed or for sale. Every house we walked past seems abandoned.

First swim of season - April 13 - for Chris. Still too cold for me. 🥶

Chapel of Agios Nikolaos and Sildara Beach, Samos

Edit

Greece
April 14, 2024
26°

Hike past the chapel of Agios Nikolaos. to Sildara Beach. Military base around here. More delapitaded old buildings.

Sail to Samos Marina- 5.3nm

Edit

Greece
April 15, 2024
28

Had a great broad reach gentle sail. Too bad it was only 5nm.

When we arrived at the marina they wanted to put us on the outside wall and we would have been bashing up against the dock. It was horrible. I couldn't believe it.

We said we were not going to go there and he found us another spot and it took like 45 minutes for us to get in place as the bow lines didn't seem to be in the right spots.

Municipal Unit of Pythagoreio

Edit

Greece
April 15, 2024
29°

Pythagoreio- a quick walk from the marina along a path by the water.

The modern bronze statue of Pythagoras in Pythagorio harbour. 570-495 BC), mathematician, philosopher and native of Samos. The sculpture was made in 1988 by Nikos Icarus (Nikos Icaris, 1920-1994) from the neighbouring island of Ikaria.

The Pythagoras monument stands on a concrete jetty at the eastern end of Pythagorio harbour.

The triangular form of the sculpture is an obvious reference to the Pythagorean theorem, and the base and hypotenuse are covered with symbols alluding to scientific and philosophical theories attibuted to Pythagoras.

The town is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Samos (Astyplaea), founded during the 5th BC century. Astypalea was one of the most important and famous cities of antiquity and the capital of the island. At that time Samos became a powerful nautical state. This power led to richness and to the construction of great structures of the period, such as the great aqueduct (part of it is the Tunnel of Eupalinos), the temple of Hera one of the 18 monuments of cultural heritage in Greece, the theater, the Samos harbor and many more. The harbor of the ancient city, is described by Herodotus as one of the most magnificent structures of the island and is considered to be the oldest constructed harbor in the Mediterranean. Many of these works can still be seen in the modern town and in the nearby area. Archaeological finds from excavations around Pythagorion, show that the wider area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. The town has also retained elements of the traditional architecture and has been characterized as a settlement of special natural beauty by the Ministry of Culture.

Pythagorion, is a unique cultural jewel of the Aegean and has been declared as a Unesco Cultural World Heritage Site.

The Blue Street in Pythagoreio, Samos, is a charming, narrow alleyway famous for its vibrant blue-painted pavement, walls, and artistic, quintessential Greek decor. Located near the harbor and Basilicas ruins, this photogenic, car-free spot is ideal for quick, scenic strolls and photos, offering a relaxing, artistic vibe near the sea

Pythagoreio

Edit

Greece
April 16, 2024
24°

Our guests arrived!

Walking around Pythagoreio with Richard and Kelly.

The Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis

The Byzantine castle was probably built around the end of the 7th century, when the Byzantines realized they had to take measures to protect the population of the islands from Arab pirates who had started to raid the Aegean after their victory in the Balltle of the Masts in 655.

The castle was repaired often during the next centuries. The final renovation was by the Genoans (the Giustiniani family) around the middle of the 14th century. The castle was abandoned in 1475, after the Ottoman conquest. Actually, in that period, the whole island was deserted.

The castle was revived again in the 19th century when Lykourgos Logothetis used again the fortification in the fight against the Turks. Between 1824 and 1827 Logothetis rebuilt one of the Byzantine towers which functioned as the administrative center of the island. The tower, was also his residence.

Vathy and The Samos Wine Musuem

Edit

Greece
April 17, 2024
24°

We had rented a car for a few days as the winds are too high to take the boat anywhere and we want to tour around Samos.

Our first stop was Vathy.

The capital of Samos is called Vathy and is located on the north eastern part of the island, around the bay. It has a population of about 9000 inhabitants, most of whom are engaged in tourism. Vathy is built amphitheatrically on the hill slopes, overlooking the town of Samos, two settlements which are actually connected. It is one of the oldest villages of Samos displaying some old Venetian and neoclassic buildings as well as modern ones. The enchanting landscape where houses are built creates an attractive scenery.

On the other hand, Samos town is a lively place, extremely developed with many facilities, accommodations, bars and restaurants. It is the home of many neoclassical buildings that represent the traditional architecture of Samos. Some of them house the Archaeological Museum and Town Hall.

The port of Vathy is one of the three main ports of the island. Seaside taverns and cafes lie around the port and narrow streets wind uphill between the old houses with the coloured walls and well-cared gardens. Among the sightseeings of Vathy is the church of Agios Spyridon, the Byzantine Museum and the exceptional Archaeological Museum.

Visiting the Samos Wine Museum, includes a wine tasting! The Museum of Samos Wine is housed in a magnificent 19th-century stone building, which originally operated as a private winery and later as a warehouse and barrel-making facility.

Turned into a Museum in 2005, it displays artifacts of the defining history of Samos wine: old photographs and production records, vineyards and depiction of mountain terraces, manual labor, harvesting and manual presses, aging and vinification, cellars, collectible bottles, , barrel-making tools, old winemaking machinery as well as a series of awards and distinctions.

Its layout, a result of modern museum science, travels the visitor to the traditional vineyard cultivation of Samos. The exhibits tell the tale of the entire historical, social and cultural course of the Samian wine.

WINEMAKING FACILITIES

Traditional winemaking, tools, tanks, laboratory instruments, barrel-making tools, come alive through exhibits that go back over more than a century. Of particular interest is the depiction of the cultivation of the vineyards in dry-stone terraces. The huge wooden tanks, the most imposing exhibits, were in use until a few decades ago.

Vathy, Samos Hora

Edit

Greece
April 17, 2024
24°

It is a pleasant, though unremarkable place with shops, restaurants and bars, and an excellent open-air cinema. Since it is a busy traffic hub for the island, the main streets can get very noisy in Summer. More interesting are the old houses and churches in the narrow side streets, and the views from the hills around.

The name Chora means village, and on many Greek islands (for example Patmos and Samothraki) denotes the main settlement, usually built inland as protection against of attacks by pirates and other enemies from the sea. Chora can not be seen from the sea, although you can get a glimpse of the coast from the hills above

Pirate attacks and political insecurity forced Samians to abandon coastal settlements from around 1475, and those who remained on the island moved inland. It took over a century for the island to be gradually repopulated, and by the 17th century it was reported that Chora was the largest of the island's remaining 16-20 villages, and was referred to as "Megali Chora" (Μεγάλη Χώρα‚ large village). Its location was far enough from the coast to afford protection but close enough to access the harbour at Tigani (Pythagorio). It was also at the centre of routes to the north and west of the island.

THE HERAION OF SAMOS

Edit

Greece
April 18, 2024
20°

Luckily we arrived on free architecture day so all sites today are free admission!

The Heraion of Samos was one of ancient Greece’s most important sanc-tuaries. It was located 6 km from the ancient city of Samos (present

Pythagorio), with which it was politically and administratively connected. The faithful arrived at the sanctuary by traversing the Sacred Way or by sea. The Samian Heraion lies in a fertile plain formed by the silting of the river Imbrassos. Myth has it that the goddess was born on the bank of this river beneath a willow tree. Thus the willow was considered Hera’s sacred tree. The establishment of the sanctuary in this particular marshy area continually created static problems for the temples erected there. The ancient Samians’ insistence on building temples in honor of the god-dess Hera on the same site, despite the problems they encountered, was owing to the close relation between the cult of the goddess and the particular spot.

Eupalinus Tunnel

Edit

Greece
April 18, 2024
21°

Tunnel of Eupalinos

This site was so cool to visit. There were so many warnings. Kelly and I were almost tempted not to go but it was totally fine.

The tunnel drilled on the Aegean island of Sámos in the 6th century BCE, one of the major feats of ancient engineering. The tunnel was dug to carry water for the capital city of the tyrant Polycrates from springs on the far side of Mount Kastro. It was built, according to Herodotus, by the engineer Eupalinos of Megara. Two metres (six feet) in diameter and more than 914 metres (3,000 feet) in length, it was drilled through the rock by teams of enslaved people using hammers and chisels. Advanced from two headings on opposite sides of the mountain, it failed to align with precision, but the junction was achieved by making a U-turn in the middle. The aqueduct operated for more than 1,000 years.

Panagia Spiliani Monastery

Edit

Greece
April 18, 2024
22°

The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani in Samos: Northwest of Pythagorion in Samos, at an altitude of 125 meters above the sea level lies the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, or the Virgin of the Cave. This small church is dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary and it is built inside a large cave. The church hosts a marble icon of the Virgin Mary that is considered miraculous.

According to a legend, the icon was stolen by some strangers and while they were unloading from the boat, the icon fell into the sea and broke into pieces. Over a long period of time, the pieces carried by sea traveled back to the island of Samos. At that time the locals collected the pieces and the icon was put back to its original position. Behind the church is a spring with holy water.

Archaeologists believe that even in the ancient times this cave was a place of worship, part of an ancient temple that was found inside the cave. In fact, it is said that this cave might be the hiding and teaching place of Pythagoras, the famous mathematician from Samos. Moreover, in the Byzantine times, this cave was a Christian church. The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani is located on a hill and gives a remarkable view to Pythagorion. A number of 95 steps lead down into the big cave.

Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion

Edit

Greece
April 18, 2024
22°

Did I memtion that all sites are free today?

The Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion is housed in a newly built building in the center of the modern city of Pythagoreion, where the city of ancient Samos was located. Its collection consists of over 3,000 objects that present the cultural evolution of the ancient city of Samos and its rural surroundings from the 4th millennium BC until the 7th century AD.

Archaeological Museum of Vathy, Samos

Edit

Greece
April 18, 2024
23°

The Archaeological Museum of Samos is housed in two sites, a two-storey neoclassical building, built in 1912, and a new building that was constructed in 1984. The old building hosts finds from the Heraion of Samos, including statues and pots, as well as offerings made of bronze, ivory, wood, etc., while the new one hosts the museum's sculpture collection with significant sculptures from the Archaic period.

This museum host exhibits that were found in excavations all around Samos. The most impressive exhibit is a gigantic kouros (male) statue 5,5 m high. There are also other statues and friezes depicting scenes from mythology or daily life, pieces of pottery, small statues, tools of daily use and some weaponry.

The lady at the Samos Wine museum recommended a fabulous seafood restaurant so we went there for dinner and it was one of the best places we have eaten so far.

Kokkari, Samos

Edit

Greece
April 19, 2024
21°

Kokkari is a fishing harbour of Samos Island, which has now developed into a tourist center. Still, it preserves its old traditional face, with small houses and lanes full of flowers. Kokkari is on a small peninsula full of houses which climbs up to the top of the hill with a small harbour on one side and a superb pebble beach on the other. Surrounded by green mountains and the view out to the sea, it's worth a journey.

Vourliotes, Samos

Edit

Greece
April 19, 2024
22°

Vourliotes is an inland village, situated at an altitude of 300 meters, some 5 kilometers far from the main public road, leading from Samos to Karlovasi.It is located in the north of the island at about 300 meters in altitude.

Vourliotes is an old village which dates from the 16th century and the earliest inhabitants came from the village of Vourla in Minor Asia. Thanks to the scenic environment and the neighboring lovely beaches, the area receives numerous tourists.

Potami Beach, Samos

Edit

Greece
April 19, 2024

Potami is a large pebbled beach with crystalline waters located in the northeastern coast of Samos, about 34km from Vathy. It is a magnificent beach with rare beauty, situated 2km west of Karlovasi and close to the Monastery of Agios Ioannis. The region is surrounded by steep cliffs covered with vast vegetation and tall pine trees offering a wonderful landscape. The blue crystal water are a bit deep, but the entire landscape is marvelous.

Potami waterfalls hike

Edit

Greece
April 19, 2024
22°

These waterfalls form two small lakes with crystalline waters, ideal for swimming. If you follow the road west from Karlovassi that leads towards the harbor, you will end up in Potami beach. The area receives hundreds of visitors during the summer to admire the magnificent beauty. The access to these waterfalls is relatively easy through a nice path.

We didn't bring our bathing suits to swim to the falls but there was a set of radical stairs to a restaurant where we stopped for a drink. They were working the path to the waterfalls so we didn't get to see them in the end.

Cave of Pythagoras, Samos Samos Cave of Pythagoras

Edit

Greece
April 19, 2024
22°

The Cave of Pythagoras is the place where the famous mathematician and philosopher was hiding when the tyrant of Samos, Polycrates, was chasing after him. It is located on the eastern side of Mount Kerkis, the highest mountain of the Aegean, at a distance of 3 km from Votsalakia beach, and its access is quite difficult.

There are actually two caves, one close to the other. It is said that Pythagoras was living in one of them and used the other cave for teaching. One cave is flatter and therefore more appropriate for a living. It has three rooms but you can visit only the two. It ends in two gorgeous steeps and if you walk a bit more, you will meet a spring from where it is believed that Pythagoras used to drink water.

Close to the cave, there are two chapels, one dedicated to Saint John and the other to Panagia Sarantaskaliotissa. To go to the cave, you have to walk a path of about 300m. The path gets steep as you reach the cave. Great views of the valley and the sea above.

On the drive back we drove through a tiny village with lots of one ways, our car barely fit, and it was a Fiat Panda!

Pythagorean Cup. I had read about these cups that you can only buy in Pythagoreio but then we saw them at the little gift shop at the caves.

Pythagorean cup (also known as a Pythagoras cup, Greedy Cup, Cup of Justice or Tantalus cup) is a practical joke device in a form of a drinking cup, credited to Pythagoras of Samos. When it is filled beyond a certain point, a siphoning effect causes the cup to drain its entire contents through the base. The cup has been used to make statements about greed. Pythagorean siphons were originally introduced by Pythagoras in 6th century B.C.

Pythagorean cup looks like a normal drinking cup, except that the bowl has a central column in it, giving it a shape like a Bundt pan. The central column of the bowl is positioned directly over the stem of the cup and over a hole at the bottom of the stem. A small open pipe runs from this hole almost to the top of the central column, where there is an open chamber. The chamber is connected by a second pipe to the bottom of the central column, where a hole in the column exposes the pipe to (the contents of) the bowl of the cup.

When the cup is filled, liquid rises through the second pipe up to the chamber at the top of the central column, following Pascal's principle of communicating vessels. As long as the level of the liquid does not rise beyond the level of the chamber, the cup functions as normal. If the level rises further, however, the liquid spills through the chamber into the first pipe and out of the bottom. Gravity then creates a siphon through the central column, causing the entire contents of the cup to be emptied through the hole at the bottom of the stem.

And it actually works. Chris probably spilt 5 cups of wine this evening so we have put them away and not sure when we will take them out again😆🍷

Samos Marina

Edit

Greece
April 20, 2024
17°

After all the heavy rains last night, we noticed that the solar panels are still leaking in two places. Samos Marina, pretty much deserted and run down except for the one restaurant which we ate in tonight.

Sailed to Fournoi-33 nm

Edit

Greece
April 21, 2024
21°

Another boisterous sail. Side tied to the town quay. Ready for the next blow.

Thanks to its secluded position and incomparable natural beauty, Fourni island is ideal for alternative holidays. Especially hikers and free campers will fall in love with this island. Fourni Greece is perfect for holidays in the heart of nature, away from crowds!

The main town of Fourni is the island’s center of activities! Its beach is perfect for an evening plunge, while its romantic promenade is perfect for sunset walks.

Fournoi Korseon Municipality

Edit

Greece
April 22, 2024
19°

Walk around Fournai Island. All the way up to the top for magnificent views.

The road is in really good shape here and there are hardly any cars on the road.

Thimena- one of the Fournoi Islands

Edit

Aegean Sea
April 23, 2024
26

Dingyied over to Thymaina.

Its name is said to be derived from the thyme that grows throughout the island. Thymaina has two settlements, Thymaina settlement and Keramidou. The population of the island is 143 inhabitants according to 2011 census, 136 in Thymaina settlement and 7 in Keramidou and the area is 10 square kilometres. Thymaina is a protected area along with all Fournoi cluster and belongs to the network Natura 2000.

The remote character of Thimena is evident in every corner, with the low whitewashed houses that carry a traditional character.

We walked up a zillion stairs then to the top church and back to the harbour.

Petrokopio & Kampi Beach

Edit

Greece
April 24, 2024
24°

Survived the storm last night 48 knot winds max.

Walk to the ancient quarry. The ancient quarry is located in a small gulf called Petrokopio. You can see marble pieces as well as many architectural parts such as columns. We just looked from the top of the hill, didn't walk all the way down.

Next walked to Kampi Beach. Lots of garbage and lots of stray cats. I didn't bring enough food. Very desolate and deserted. Will things open in the summer?

Sail to Ikaria- Agia Kirykos-9.5nm

Edit

Greece
April 25, 2024
22°

Sailed to Ikaria.

Ikaria is particularly famous for one thing: the longevity of the islanders! The inhabitants live for many many years thanks to the nutritious local diet, walking, stress-free everyday life, and optimism! Excellent local wine, at the regular traditional village feasts that are organized every summer.

Ikaria owes its name to Icarus, the hero of Greek mythology son of Daedalus, both of which managed to escape from the labyrinth of Crete, due to the feathers and waxwings they made. However, Icarus flew too close to the sun, so his wings melted and he fell into the Aegean Sea, where he died.

When he was found, he was buried in an island that was given its name (Ikaria), in honor of the fallen Icarus.

However, apart from the legend of Icarus, Ikaria island has been known from ancient times due to elements, such as its thermal springs, east, and west of the main port of Agios Kirikos, and its famous dark red wine.

Ikaria is one of the greenest islands of the Aegean Sea, counting on a great variety of wildlife.

Ikaria Local products

The various tasty products of Ikaria are taken from the fertile soil, the rich sea and the abundance of first raw. Fresh fish, lobsters and all kinds of seafood are freshly fished and served in almost all the taverns of the island. The famous local dish of Ikaria is the delicious roast of wild goat.

Ikaria also produces fresh golden honey, fine quality oil and cheese products, such as the famous goat cheese called kathoura. The island of Ikaria is also famous for its excellent black wine which is still made according to the traditional way. Some artisans of the island produce fine ceramics which have a decorative or functional use.

Church of St. Cyricus and St. Julitta, Ikaria

Edit

Greece
April 26, 2024
19

Church of St. Cyricus and St. Julitta

Bishop Makarios had the church of Saint Cyricus and St. Julitta built in the 14th century as the inscription on the exterior side of the sanctum indicates. The temple was initially used as a stavropegic monastery as Patriarch Antonios informs us through his Epistle in 1395, while later on the monastery was converted into a parish temple.

The original temple belonged to the architectural type of the cruciformed incircle with dome and was the single sample of such a type of monastery. The dome collapsed over time probably during the 16th century and the temple was transformed into a single–spaced wooden roof core. Specific characteristic of the monument is the plentiful decoration that appears on the three arches at the exterior eastern side of the monument.

Nowadays, only a few samples of the fresco decoration on the scope of the temple are maintained, dating back to the mid-14th century and some at the exterior parts of the western and southern wall dating back to the 15th century. However, a large number of church frescos of the 16th century survive when the temple was painted again by lord Kostis in 1589. There is also a church wall painting of the 17th century depicts Jesus and Mary on their throne.

Therma, Ikaria

Edit

Greece
April 26, 2024
22°

Walk to Therma to sit in the hot springs.

Therma, situated 2 km east of the capital and celebrated since ancient times for its therapeutic radioenergic hot mineral springs, is the main spa town of Ikaria. It has a picturesque bay with a small inlet and a lovely beach for swimming. The white-washed houses, some lower others higher standing one next to the other with their flowery balconies, come into view only a few meters from the beach. All around are hills and in the distance on either side rise the rocks of the gorge at the mouth of which lies Therma. It is a secluded place overlooking the sea and on the waterfront all around the small square stand the traditional coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries. Nearby you will find the springs and further down the road the newly built church of Agia Anargiri with its beautiful stained glass windows built in 1966 to satisfy the religious needs of the holiday makers. The village feast is held on the first of July, the day of Agia Anargiri. Therma has 3 of the principle hot springs on Ikaria. The hot springs aid in the curing of a multitude of afflictions such as rheumatism, arthritis, arthrology, neuralgia, and infertility.

Therma takes its name from the ancient Ikarian town of Thermae. In bygone days the inhabitants of Thermae were known as Asclipians from the god of medicine(Asclipios) and in recognition for their miracle working hot springs. At a small distance east of the present day town at the location Xalasmena Therma stand the ruins of the ancient spa. It was a seaside town built on a small projecting peninsula and was one of the known spas of ancient times. This is proven by the fragments of broken marble bath tubs found in the area and traces of an ancient aqueduct partly hollowed out in the rocks. Unfortunately it is not known exactly when this ancient town was inhabited. However, from a marble Stele found in the area we know that the town existed and flourished in the classical era and was a member of the Athenian Naval League. Its disappearance, probably due to an earthquake circa 205 B.C., did not allow for more information to come to the surface about the life of the Thermaen people. Although no archaeological research has been carried out it is believed that the seacoast where Xalasmena Thermae is situated is the exact location of the ancient city of Thermae.

Page updated

Report abuse