Patmos - Apokalypsi Then!

Patmos, home of one of the most venerated beings of all time. Island of the Apocalypse.

If you're wondering why people celebrate doom & gloom, you haven't got the right handle on the Greek word 'apokalypsis.' More to do with revelation than Hollywood asteroids and Vietnamese trauma.

Anyway, we're staying in Leros and feel we should explore another island. Wandering around Aghia Marina one evening I spot the ferry-times and am excited to read that journey times to Patmos have been cut by a third by this new nautical mode of transport called the 'Flying Dolphin.' This new invention is a boat which transforms itself into a hovercraft by lifting itself out of the water and skimming at unheard-of speeds through Greek waters. We are sold and duly set out for Patmos a few days later. We'll have tons of time on Patmos to walk, swim, eat & explore. John the Baptist, here we come!

The boat sets off and soon we are out on the open sea. That's when we get the Captain's message. There's a strong northerly blowing straight at the prow and the boat cannot transform in such a gale. No Flying Dolphin then.

Rather a torpedoed turtle. Chugging along at the speed of death and inhaling the horrid vapours being emitted from the engines it was not the exciting swift voyage we'd anticipated. But we did reach Patmos and we did eat & swim and explore. I bought a nice blue hat there which I had for many years and treasured. Not many tourists have a Patmos cap!

There's a very busy yachting harbour there, with many foreign visitors putting in for a break from sailing or cruising. The monastery is a focal point for pilgrims. Quite a strange place.

While queuing for the return, we witnessed the biggest argument I've ever seen in Greece among some of the local passengers. How they didn't come to blows I've no idea. There was a happy ending, too. We had a tail-wind and the return took about 30 minutes, instead of an hour and a half. The Dolphin did get to fly and very impressive it was.