This particular post is slightly random, I'm trying to get ready to leave in the morning for BC (hurrah!!), make dinner, wrap gifts, and blog. Its not always the most effective way to do things, so multi-tasking. I did want to put the final Greece pictures up though. I thought we had some more interesting ones, but we didn't pull out our cameras as often as we should have!
On the the little train, on the way up the mountain.
We liked to think of this as "our" private beach. In reality we shared it with a herd of goats who had a watering trough up the hill. We caused the goats no end of anxiety since we they hadn't expected us, but once the first goat decided we were harmless, the next 200 did as well . . .
On the map, this road was marked as an "unsurfaced secondary highway". It was little more than a trail cut into the side of the mountain with steep drop offs to the ocean below. We discovered our rental car really wasn't made for off roading.
A few of the goats that also called the road, home. You had to slow almost to a crawl and beep the horn hoping they would move. Which they did, eventually. Animals on the road were a very common occurrence in Greece. Usually it was dogs or cats though. They will just lie down in the middle of major highways and everyone just drives around them.
Our first view of the Meteora, about a 2 hour drive from where we were staying. Absolutely worth the drive!
These Greek Orthodox Monasteries were built during the dark ages because at the time people believed that this area was exceptionally holy, and extremely secluded. Until this century, the monasteries were accessible by ropes, rock climbing, or the odd stair cut into the rock faces. They are still fully operational as religious places but are now attracting millions of tourists as well. They supplied skirts for all the ladies, and men in shorts to wear when visiting. An odd experience. These places were amazing. Most were still accessible only by long flights of stairs cut into the mountains. We did a lot of walking up and down that day, but saw so much history. They have not only been religious hideaways, but during wars were also refuges for the people because they were nearly impenetrable.
At the doorway to one of the monasteries. We climbed all the way up and then found out this one was closed for the day.
All in all we visited 7 of the monasteries. We are standing at the main one looking to its next door neighbor. These buildings just seem to grown from the rocks! I cannot imagine how they were built hundreds of years ago.
Looking from the next door neighbor, to the main monastery.
Us! Of course :)
Random photos from inside the buildings.
One of the many seaside villages we visited.
The very uncool little black car, that was ours. Didn't really mind driving it around though, because everyone drives ugly little hatchbacks so we fit right in. Byron was very glad to get home and get inside his big black beasty.
Views from our apartment.
We had half of the top level. The whole two weeks there was no one else in the other suite. The land lady lives in the basement with her family. Studios Madalana
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