Misty Mountain Hop

This was the first morning we were both woken by our wake up call, so it was a rush to shower and pack and get bags out in 30 minutes, but we did it. The travel jug has been a godsend for morning coffee as no tea/coffee facilities are provided in the rooms. A fabulous spinach pie was a great addition to breakfast and we both snagged some extras for the stray cats and dogs we will inevitably meet today.

8.30 on the bus. It. Is. Cold. About 3 degrees but not raining. Making our way up the Meteora area is surreal. The autumnal colours of the trees coupled with these unbelievably impressive rock formations, add monasteries sitting on top of some of these monoliths, makes for one of life’s most memorable experiences.

Get thee to a nunnery! Our first monastery was dedicated to Saint Barbara- how convenient. Her name’s day was yesterday. It was 140 stairs to get up there,  with the mist and cold the hand rails were welcome but freezing. We also had to walk across little bridges. Scary. So high, such an incredulous experience. Yet still stray animals around even at these heights. The women had to tie skirts around their pants but men in long trousers was of course fine. This area apparently inspired the Eyrie on Game of Thrones, and eerily the balcony sloped downwards. The nuns produce, honey, wine, and other delicacies.
There are 6 monasteries still running, many closed due to the increases in tourism and one of them was used in the Bond movie For Your Eyes Only.  The second monastery was St Stephen’s, a much bigger place and no stairs to enter. The chapels in both places were like small scale Sistine Chapels, all expertly painted and in the second monastery we actually got to see the artist at work as the chapel is yet to be finished. In the first chapel the decorations are 500 years old.

The views from the balcony here gave excellent views of the town below. Barb was lucky enough to have broken away from the group to get these shots before the weather moved back in.

So nice to get back on the warm bus, we were quickly back to sea level and the rest of the day was basically bus travel. Lunch was in a big highway stop, unimpressive food but these little mouths were fed with leftovers. They had 2 more siblings we met later, Greece seriously needs a better desexing program.

Lots more hours on the bus, we arrived back in Athens close to 6pm. Same hotel as before it is comfortable to go back to familiar territory. There was a farewell dinner at 7pm, with much repacking to do and some organisation that could only be done now wth decent wifi, we made an executive decision to stay in. Quick supermarket stop for supplies and a wonderful feeling of calm to have this time to relax and organise for our relocation to Rome tomorrow. Greece you have enlightened us both to your many hidden gems. Would love to be back! Efharisto. ❤️