The Kalambaka Meteora Hotel is situated just outside the little village and overlooks the amazing rock formations that are Meteora. Many members of the group enjoyed a swim in the hotel pool before prayers on the terrace and then our fantastic multi course extravaganza of a meal.
 |
| Great Monastery at Meteora |
We woke early keen to see the sun shining on the monoliths on the other side of the valley. We were soon in the bus and on our way back up to the top of the mountains this time to visit the Monastery Valaam perched atop the monolith. This is the second largest of the monasteries and according to our guide the most beautiful. After climbing the 190 steps we were able to enter this mystical world of the Greek Orthodox hermits. This is a working monastery with a church that is almost impossible to describe. It is so beautiful. It was great to see the winching room, to spend time looking at the view, to visit the monastery shop and museum.
The most amazing aspect of the whole place are the frescoes icons artwork in the church, the narthex and nave and around the monastery. These date from 4-500 years ago and still retain great colour and clarity.
Our slow trip down the mountain and once again we observe the other monasteries perched high on their rocks. Meteora is surely one of the great wonders of the world!
We then travelled for a considerable distance to Thessaloniki having lunch in the village of Berea along the way. Cheese pie was the order of the day, and about all they had left in the shop. This was followed by an apple for everyone having purchased a case. This place is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles another stopover for St Paul in his journeys.
Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city and is located by the sea. On our arrival we took in a panoramic view of this great city with its ancient walls that pierce through the modern city. Below us we could see the Church of St Demitrius which was our last visit for the day before the short bus trip to our very smart hotel, Golden Star in the seaside village of Perea. Our hotel is situated right on the beach with deck chairs and real sand, not pebbles. We all hope to use this facility on our day off on Saturday.
The most amazing aspect of the whole place are the frescoes icons artwork in the church, the narthex and nave and around the monastery. These date from 4-500 years ago and still retain great colour and clarity.
Our slow trip down the mountain and once again we observe the other monasteries perched high on their rocks. Meteora is surely one of the great wonders of the world!
We then travelled for a considerable distance to Thessaloniki having lunch in the village of Berea along the way. Cheese pie was the order of the day, and about all they had left in the shop. This was followed by an apple for everyone having purchased a case. This place is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles another stopover for St Paul in his journeys.
Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city and is located by the sea. On our arrival we took in a panoramic view of this great city with its ancient walls that pierce through the modern city. Below us we could see the Church of St Demitrius which was our last visit for the day before the short bus trip to our very smart hotel, Golden Star in the seaside village of Perea. Our hotel is situated right on the beach with deck chairs and real sand, not pebbles. We all hope to use this facility on our day off on Saturday.
 | |
| View of the beach at Perea |
No comments:
Post a Comment