As forecast, it started to rain then snow gently.
Visibility was very poor. We packed up and drove to the monasteries
of Meteors. These 6-8 monasteries are perched on the cliff tops
overlooking the town of Kalambaka. Though only one can be seen from
the town.
Arriving
at St Stephens Holy Monastery 30 minutes before opening. So we sat
inside the cab reading our book. At 09:25 a bus turned up so we let
them go in first.
The
views would have been spectacular but we could not see much The
church had new or newly repainted fresco’s inside. We were not
allowed to take photos but the depictions were horrific.
Saints
being, beheaded, stoned, ripped by multi pronged hooks, legs and arms
cut off, being devoured by sea monsters and the list goes on. Quite
bizarre. This monastery was populated by Nuns.
Next we
wondered down a path and up 125 steps to a locked door at The Holy
Trinity Monastery. In the near past this monastery was only accessible
by ladders and ropes. In 1925 these steps had been carved into the
rock.
Next
the Holy Moastery of Rousanou Another walk down a path in the snow
and across two draw bridges to inside. This church was incorporated
in the building and could not be noticed from outside.The depictions
were equally as gory but not as “new” looking. We bought a jar of
Honey and a postcard for a friend in Wangaratta.
Onto
the biggest Holy Monastery of Great Meteoraon. But it was closed for
maintenance. By now we had our fill of religious relics and stopped
in Kastraki for a hot lunch of local sausages, eggplant and pepper
dip with boiled wild veges and a carafe of local red wine. An OK
lunch.
Now
towards the East coast and Mt Amos. Is supposed to stop snowing
tomorrow so maybe we’ll get to see it.
The
roads were clear of snow till we got to a little village of Karya,
there were a few drifts on the road and then I drifted. Stopped on
the corner for John to drive and she went a little sideways again.
Into
4x4 and John drove us up to 1180m altitude and over. The snow was only 4
inches deep.
Stopped on the side of a group of 28 switchbacks with a few of the ocean.
It
continued to snow gently.
163km
163km
