Friday Kalambaka to Meteora
(Note: This entry had to be rewritten because just as I tried to publish it my internet connection card ran out of time-just figures!)
After visiting the charming mountain town of Kalambaka we took a short drive to the sheer rock cliffs of Meteora to see the monasteries perched on top of these rocks. We visited two of the six remaining monasteries (there were 26 at one time) that of St. Stephens and Rousanou both ran by nuns rather than monks. Fortunately access to these two monasteries was not as difficult as the others we’d read about. One was quite close to the parking area and the other took about 150 steps to reach. Unfortunately the gale force cold winds nearly blew us off the rock and only a few of us braved the cold to photograph the breathtaking view. We expected rather plain, austere buildings inside the monasteries but were surprised to find a church within the walls of that was one of the most ornate, gold gilded; iconic painted churches we’ve ever seen. The chandelier of gold, the intricately carved altar screen and walls which were covered every square inch with brightly painted saints and stories from the life of Christ were a feast for the eyes!
By evening we returned to Athens where we took the subway downtown for shopping and we found a wonderful place for dinner with a strolling guitar serenading us throughout dinner. The food was amazing-dolmathes and greek spaghetti!
Tomorrow it’s the tour of Athens and the centerpiece of the tour -the Acropolis and the Parthenon.