Leros, Arki and Patmos

Leros

From Kos we sailed to Leros, where we have been a couple of times before. Our swedish friends, Ingela and Lars, was having their last days there for the season so we had a plan to be together for some days before the head back to Sweden. We met them first time on Zakynthos in September 22, then on Kos in April and Leros in May this year. It is always nice to met people again when you are sailing around.

They had anchored outside the yacht club in Lakki and we did that as well. It was wind coming from west so maybe not the best anchorage, but it was okay for us for a couple of days.

The weather forcast was a bit unsure, but we decided to have a walk together. Instead of walking around in the town and traffic we decided to walk south from Lakki to Cape Katsouni where you can see this place were a gun battery was located. Alistair MacLean was inspired about this large caliber naval guns and wrote the novel “Guns of Navarone”, which later become a movie. The movie was not filmed here, but mostly in Rhodes.

You can see why they put this gun station here, with this amazing view over the inlet of the bay of Lakki. In the distance you can see Kalymnos.

After two days on anchor in Lakki we went to the marina to fill water and do some grocery shopping. And we had a last gyros together with Ingela and Lars for lunch.

We sailed to the north of Leros, as Ingela and Lars was going into the marina there. But first we decided to anchor in the bay of Archangelos, a small island on the north of Leros. There we invited Lars and Ingela for dinner and they brought this delicious dessert.

It was time to say goodbye to Ingela and Lars as they went on the hard and we wanted to sail north. It was a pleasure to met them again. Hope to see you somewhere next year!

The calendar said November but it was still nice and warm weather. I could relaxe on deck while Astor was sailing.

On the way to the island of Arki we had a stop on a small island south of Lipsi. Incredable place for snorkling and padling.

Here is a video from this bay on Lipsi and a litle bit from Arki where we saw a turtle while swimming.

Arki

On the south of the island of Arki there is a stunning bay, like a swimmingpool. When we arrived there were three boats here, Siffrein and Starlight III, and a Norwegian boat. We met Siffrein in Lavrion in September and Starlight III in Kos only a week ago. Unfortunately we didn`t see that the third boat was Norwegian before they left the next morning (we arrived late in the evening)

Siffrein and Starlight sailed south to Lipsi and we were completely alone. It was so amazing to stay here. The water is still warm enough to have a swim.

When we stayed the night on the north of Leros, another sailor come by and asked if we wanted some fish he had cought the same afternoon. It was hard to say no and we gave him a bottle of wine for that.

In the afternoon we did a hike to the small village on the island. Here is the huge bay where we are anchoring, you can see the boat. Absolutely stunning place!

It is a nice trail all the way from the beach.

We met some goats. Some of them were so small and cute!

Who are you??

Not many people are living on Arki, I guess we met 3-4 people on our way to the village.

The village. Her you can moor along the dock, plenty of space in November. But I am glad we choose to anchor.

Not much activities here. It is not the place you go for shopping… There is a small supermarket, but only with dry food. There is a couple of restaurants, but I am not sure if it is open through all year.

One of the restaurants, with no guests.

White Bouganvilla

We just walked around

… and walked back to the boat.

The next day it was time to sail further on to Patmos. We had a beautiful swim in the morning before we left. Most probably the last one this year?

Patmos

The sail over to Patmos was not long so we arrived before lunch. After lunch we decided to hike up to Chora.

On the way up to Chora we are passing buy the monastery with the Cave of the Apocalypse. This is the Holiest spot in Greece. It is said that St John while exiled on the island heard God speaking to him and he then wrote the Book of the Apocalypse. We came inside the cave but a munk said it was closed and it was not allowed to take any photo… It was not that much to see.

From the monastery the trail continue up to Chora. It was a really nice walk!

Chora on the top!

The temperature is still nice so I got warm up the hill!

Two cats relaxing!

It was quiet around the streets, we only saw some people around the restaurants.

We walked over to the windmills and got this amazing view!

Beautiful windmills!

We made it a roundtrip and started the trail right below the windmills. It was not easy to see it from the windmills, you have to go down to the main road and then you will see it. It was easy to follow the trail down to the town.

Here is the track of our hike:

The next day we decided to walk to the church on the hill above the marina. From the boat it was many steps until we came up to the trail. But it was worth the view!

Further up the hill it was a nice trail. When we came to the farm below the trail it was not easy to see where to go, because it was three different gates. But a man came and showed us the right one.

Up in the hill, before you arrive at the church, there are some ruins.

So, this was our goal today, to take a photo including the cruiseship! Actually from our boat we could not see the cruiseship, because they anchored outside the inlet of the bay.

The town to the left, then you see Chora on the top of the hill, and the bay on the right side is on the west side of the island.

Many tenders bringing the passangers to the town.

This was also an aroundtrip and we walked directly from the church down to town. It was sometimes hard to see the trail, but follow the map on alltrails and you will see it. It was some places a bit slippery because of may loose stones, so maybe it is easier to walk up here, instead of walking down. You can see our boat in the middle of the photo, together with Starlight III which we met at Arki.

A lot of local fishermens used to fish from this quay, specially in the evening.

Here is the track of our hike this day:

The next day we wanted to walk up to Chora again, but walked opposite from the day before.

It is a nice area to walk with the view to town and to Chora.

From the windmills to Chora.

It is November but still some flowers!

Some leaves from the storm on the ground!

Still some nice colours!

On the way back to town from Chora we followed the old road. That was also nice.

Here is the track from this hike:

The day after it was finally less wind and it was time to say goodbye to Patmos and sail further west.

A beautiful day for sailing!

If you like to see more from Patmos, you can read our post from earlier this summer:

Lipsi og Patmos

The next stop will be at Donoussa so please join us next week!