Swimming Caves Adventure

In Lindos I met many locals when out painting everyday and they would suggest places for me to sketch and explore. One day I was asked if I liked to swim. Yes!! 

I was told to walk beyond the small beach area and keep following the shoreline. When I came to a place where it was impossible to continue I was to back up a bit, carefully get into the water (the volcanic rocks were very jagged and hard to walk on so I brought my swimming shoes) then swim around a small rocky point. They never really told me what to expect other than there were 3 caves to explore. I brought my underwater camera with me in case there was anything interesting to photograph. Am I glad I did!! The colours and textures were amazing! I swam into the first cave which was small with underwater rocks covered in colourful lichen that were very beautiful. 

Rock Reflections - Swimming Cave Entrance

Swimming Cave Entrance

As I turned around to swim out this is what I saw. Amazing!

"Azure Portal"

On the high distant point you can see where I had hiked to only a couple of days before. It seems like a dream when I look at this now.

I continued along the shore coming to the next cave. This one was a little bigger and had the most interesting rock formations inside. To me it looked like people coming out from the walls. 

"Sacred Spirits"

I could almost hear their stories.

The third cave was the largest. I'm not sure how to explain this other than I felt like I had entered an ancient cathedral. As I swam in many birds flew overhead and others sang their songs like a choir high in the lofts. The ceiling was vaulted with light so soft and pure it seemed to come from another time and space.

Swimming Cave Cathedral

Magical Turquoise Reflections

I was more than inspired swimming here - I was spiritually moved to new heights and depths. There is a richness to life that I never understood before. 

With each passing day we live, every new experience layers and melts to the ones before. It makes us who we are and with this new knowledge forms who we choose to become.

I will be painting and writing about these caves for many years. Life really is an amazing adventure!