Athens Arachova & Delphi Meteora & en route Tinos & Delos Mykonos & Santorini Naxos & Syros Crete Cats
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Tall pillars of rock sprout out of central Greece to make isolated hideaways for religious hermits, monks and nuns. Now, Meteora's monasteries are open to the faithful and general public. |
 Groves of olive trees were everywhere, as was wonderful olive oil. |
 The Greeks openly honor their dead, whether at this road-side memorial ... |
 ... or this actively tended cemetery in the countryside. |
 A quick shot of Mount Olympus, where the ancient gods met and decided the fate of the world and individuals. |
 We saw lots of Hooded Crows. |
 But our most exciting sighting was the resident storks that have been coming so long to this small village church, they have their own statue. |
 The parents refurbish the huge nest on the very top of the church's dome. Click here for second view, and here for third view. |
 These Collared Doves were also making mating moves nearby. |
 The view of the mysterious Meteora rock formations from our balcony a the Hotel Divani on the main street of Kalambaka. |
 A closer look at the Monastery of Saint Stephen, actually an convent, at the top of one of stone pillars. |
 We later got an even closer view of St. Stephen, when we visited the convent. |
 The pinnacles and caves were filled with monasteries and hermits at their height in the 17th century. Only seven monasteries remain, including St. Nicholas Anapavsas.. |
 Rags hanging on lines, whose meaning appears lost in myth, and wood structures mark some of the hermits caves, which may have been used before 1000 A.D. |
 Roussanou stands by itself amidst the eerie outcroppings. |
 We arrive at the Monastery of Barlaam (aka Varlaam) via a paved road and then ... |
 ... faced several flights of stairs. Click to see the view from the top (Photo by Kathie Beckman). |
 But it was nothing like the dangers faced by ancient monks, who were pulled up in a large rope net. |
 The rope and pulley platform is still used sometimes for food and other supples. |
 Perhaps that explains the need for this giant cask from the 16th century, built on the site. It held 13,000 liters. |
 This is not a tool of torture, but chimes used to call the monks. |
 Women must wear skirts to visit the monasteries, which will provide them (above) for those who insist on slacks. |
 From Barlaam, there is a great view of the Monastery of Transfiguration (Metamorphosis). |
 A final look at the spectacular rocks ... |
 ... and back to Kalambaka. |
 We head for the sea, and our ship, passing through a fertile valley cradled by snow-capped mountains. |
 A large statue of Leonidas marks the spot where the Persian army was delayed on its way to Thessaly. He and his brave Spartans eventually perished. Their actual graves are marked by an older monument on a mound across the highway. |
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Athens Arachova & Delphi Meteora & en route Tinos & Delos Mykonos & Santorini Naxos & Syros Crete Cats