Small trip in Hellenic Republic

Arrived around 9pm in Thessaloniki, I decided to keep towards Trikala, a small town in the heart of Northern Greece. First train from 11 pm to 1 am to Paleofarsalos then second train at 4:30am to arrive at 5:30 am in Trikala. I can not tell you how was Caillou at 5:30 am in the streets of Trikala, dreaming of a good bed while the Greeks are terraced to finish their night.

Chris, a resident of Trikala approached me and accompanied me to the hostel. After some discussions, we finally set off to visit the Orthodox monasteries named Meteora ('' perched in the air '). The bus takes us to Kalambaka, the town at the foothills of Meteora.

We keep on the road on foot towards the first monastery. After a few steps up you reached the monastery of Agios Nikolaos. We could visit the small building but main rule, women should wear a skirt! So they have a kind of wrap-around skirts you can borrow. Inside the monastery is beautiful and cozy with lots of wood decorations. The prayer hall is covered with paintings and kinds of standing prayer seats are present along the walls. In this monastery, one can find in particular the drawing of a dragon in the room mural. In addition, the views are spectacular from this nest perched.

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We keep on our journey through the forest to reach a monastery on higher ground. Along the way, we were fortunate to come across turtles and beautiful and very old trees, protector of this heaven of peace with their huge branches.

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The path is divided into two, one goes right to the monastery of Varlaam. Left to the Great Meteor. We climbed on the left and we arrived at the feet of this gigantic monastery (the largest of the five in activity). Again the visit is possible, wearing a skirt I pass a small museum on objects and clothing of war, religious objects. Other museum rooms contain old installations of the monastery or the kitchen and the cellar. We keep on our discovery to the third monastery. Tourists congregate on the road and it quickly becomes hard to circulate. We didn't visit the other monasteries, but we are amazed to see these nests perched in this lunar landscape. We took a break on a rocky peak overlooking a plunging view on this giant garden.

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After trudge into the forest and down to Kalambaka, back to Trikala. I go to the hostel and I met Juliette and Caroline, two French young girl with whom I spend the evening enjoying Greek food, Greek salad is a completely different concept there and my taste buds remembered.

Personnal mission : The next day, 5:30 am wake up! The idea of seeing the sunrise over the Meteora gave me the motivation. The ascencion took me an hour, even though I keep a good beat of walking the sun is faster than me !! Well I was almost there, but just having the site virtually to myself was my reward. Back in Trikala, and I confess that the rest of my day, I've only slept.

The next day, waking up at 4:30 am! (what could be better!) we leave with Najla (a Malaysian friend) to catch our train to Athens! We fall both in a deep sleep, only the tightness in our neck make us change position, we end up being slumped forward a headscarf on ourself, the situation was very funny, people were passing us wondering what was happening.. Arriving at the main train station of Athens, we take the subway, and it is quite a sport to go in and out of the subway, I can't explaint with a backpack how hard it was .. After struggeling and having to find a way out as a cork exploding from a bottle of champagne ready to explode, we arrive in the heart of the tourist district of Athens, a pretty little Byzantine church welcomes us, we could see on the right the hypnotized view of the Acropolis.

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Repas de spécialités grecques, on file ensuite faire un tour dans ces incroyables ruines. Certains temples sont encore sur pied et le théâtre est encore en bel état. On grimpe jusqu'à l'Acropole et nous découvrons de plus près le Parthénon et les vestiges des temples d'Athéna et d'Érechthéion. Une vue à 360 degrés sur cette mégalopole en récompense. Descente vers le temple de Zeus et le musée. Je vous laisse découvrir dans l'article tout spécialement écrit sur Athènes ce que nous avons eu la chance d'apprendre avec le guide du Free Walk Tour.

Greek meal, then ready for a ride in the incredible ruins. Some temples are still standing and the theater is still in good conditions. We climb up to the Acropolis and we discover more about the Parthenon and the remains of the temples of Athena and Erechtheion. A 360 degree view of this megalopolis in reward. Descent to the temple of Zeus and the museum. I let you discover in the article specially written about Athens what we had the chance to learn with the guide of the Free Walk Tour.

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My road continues further south I go to the port of Athens to take the boat to Crete.

Mooring lines for new adventures !!