Last night, we arrived in the hotel in Chios long after midnight. It was only in the morning that we could really see how beautiful the hotel was. Our rooms were on a cliff right at the seaside. In the distance at the other side of the water we could see Turkey already waiting for us.

Yesterday's rest had soothed our tired muscles and today everyone was really eager to run. Our plan was to run across the island and visit the famous Greek Orthodox monastery of Nea Moni and the small city of Anavatos.

The island is so beautiful and at this time of the year is relatively untouched by tourism. Mother Nature just seemed to invite us to drink her beauty. For about 10 kilometers we ran with the whole team together, enjoying the run like anything.

The road wound its way up from sea level to about 900 meters - what a climb! Down again on the other side and the sweat was pouring off us like anything.

At about half past one we reached the Nea Moni monastery. Father Dyonisios was so kind to let us in although the monastery was officially already closed for half an hour. He was slightly apprehensive at first, seeing this group of sweaty young people enter, but when he found out about the World Harmony Run he gave us a warm welcome.

He showed us very self-givingly around the monastery and offered us some refreshments. In the small chapel he lit our torch with the fire that the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox church receives from the Holy Grave in Jerusalem at Easter. This fire is carefully kept alive and spread to all the churches and monasteries. There are many miracles connected to this fire and we hope that it will help the World Harmony Run achieve the miracle of miracles: World Harmony!

The monastery has been established at this spot since around 1050. Even before that time, there used to be a monastery there, but it was destroyed in a huge forest fire. When people later came through the forest that was now reduced to charcoal, they found one bush that was still completely green and untouched by the fire. Under the bush they found an icon of Mother Mary! The altar of the main church of the monastery is exactly on the spot where the bush was growing and also the icon is still preserved.

Outside the monastery we met two very nice people from Holland. They were born in Den Haag - only one kilometer away from where Mark, one of the runners, was born. It's a small world indeed.

They were very interested to hear all about our adventures and we made a nice group picture. When they heard all about the World Harmony Run they got so enthusiastic that they sponsored us with a nice lunch. Thanks a lot for your encouragement Mr and Mrs Janssen!

From the monastery it was about 7 kilometers to Anavatos. This city has some of the oldest houses from Europe that are still preserved. There are about 50 ruins of houses from the early eleventh century. They are situated on a sharp cliff deep in a canyon. The houses seemed to be glued against the wall of the cliff, originally built to protect the people from raids by pirates.

The silence and scenery in the canyon created such an ancient feeling, as if we were transported a thousand years back in time.

Anavatos was our goal for today - half an hour later we were enjoying a swim and a well-deserved meal on the beach.

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