The amazing sights of the Meteora

We are currently wild camping on a marina not far from the ancient site of Delphi, where we will visit tomorrow - (N38.43150 E22.42129).  A drive of 140miles (225 kms) south from the Meteora.

Sonny, the motorhome parked up for the night.  You can just make him out on the far right-hand side!

Our window view for the night, watching the boats come in and out and me blogging!

Stopping in the mountains for the last couple of nights has had its benefits, the overnight temperature drops to around 14°C and it is so peaceful.

Eating at the Taverna, I had my first Greek ‘Greek Salad. It’s everything you get from a Greek Salad outside of Greece but the Feta cheese, olives, tomatoes and dressing were the best I have tasted!  Mel went for a Pork Souvlaki and some homemade chips, washed down with some Retsina!

Eating outside the taverna near Metsova.  We had to wear trousers and jumpers as it was that cool!

Europe’s last semi-nomadic people, the Vlachs have lived in the Pindhos mountains for centuries and many in and around Metsova. They bring their flocks up from the plains to graze in the mountains and you hear the sound of the bells around their necks before you see them.

Leaving the Taverna, we travelled along the Katára pass.  At 1694 metres, it is the only high-altitude paved road across the central Pindhos Mountains, linking the regions of Epirus and Thessaly.  As we entered the pass it said ‘Enter at your own risk’.  I gave Mel a worried look and he just said “it will be fine, it can’t be as bad as some of the remote roads we’ve travelled on in Morocco”.  So, we carried on and were so glad we did, the drive was fantastic and views spectacular.

The Katára Pass winding through the Pindhos Mountains

This centuries old route twists through the mountains and in places there were a lot of fallen rocks and patchy roads - a lot like Morocco and Italy!

Where's the road gone!

We only met a couple of cars on the road coming the other way, as most take the Via Egnatia expressway.  Approaching Kalambáka, the incredible Meteora rocks come into view.

The Meteora

We parked the motorhome up outside Hotel Arsenis (N39.708639 E21.654353), where we would be spending the night (an official motorhome stop) high up in the Meteora.  The somewhat eccentric owner came out to meet us, gave us a map of the Meteora and for the next 10 minutes told us how much he loved the English and Scottish people and how Alex Ferguson was his hero! He said we could stay the night for free if we had one of his 'mamma's' dinners that would be served at 7pm prompt, who were we to refuse!
We got the scooter off the back of the motorhome and visited the monasteries, perched on top of the Meteora.

To access the monasteries there are steps that have been carved into the rock in the early 20^th century and most have about 200 steps down the ravine and 200 back up to the top!  Until the 1930s the only way of reaching most Meteoran monasteries was being hauled up in a rope-basket or by retractable ladders.

There are only 6 that remain open to visitors and even then not all are open every day. The only one we didn't visit was Agios Stefanos.

Varlaam Monastery was our first stop - with the winch at the very top that they used to pull the monks/people up in the rope-basket. There are only a handful of monks left at this one.

Varlaam Monastery

Each monastery pretty much contains the same things so we just paid to go in the biggest and highest one.

Megálou Meteórou (AKA Grand Meteoro) is the highest of the monasteries – with a climb of about 100 steps down from the road and a further 300 steps from its entrance. 

Grand Meteoro

The pretty courtyard

The museum is really interesting, taking you through the Greek history with rare icons and costumes through the ages.  Just after taking this I got told off as you aren’t supposed to take any photos in the museum!

The Cellar

The Kitchen with its bread oven and soup-hearth

Roussanou – is a convent founded in 1545 with sheer drops all around and today houses about a dozen nuns.

Roussanou

Agios Nikolaos

Agia Triadhos famously featured in the James Bond 1981 film ‘For Your Eyes Only.

Agia Triadhos

Last night we eventually managed to photograph a Cicadas, we have heard them a lot in Italy and now in Greece.  The constant whirring noise on the trunks of trees can often drive you mad!

Cicades

Happy Weekend to you all!

Sally x