Thessoloniki to Kalambaka

Under cloudy skies and mild temperature we left the Capsis Hotel in Thessaloniki.  The sky soon cleared to partly cloudy with a bit of fog and haze over the mountains in the distance.  We drove to Veria (Berea in the Bible), west of Thessaloniki where we visited Paul's Bema - the steps to the ancient synagogue where Paul preached.

The steps are all that is left, but there are beautiful mosaics to commemorate what happened there. 

 

As we travelled along, we were amazed at the farmland in the beautiful, fertile valley.  They grow rice, apricots, peaches, apples, cherries, kiwi and grapes as well as almonds and walnuts.

 

Soon, we were in the mountains again!

 We turned off the main 4-lane road to a two lane, curvy road up the mountains with lots of switchbacks.  It was a beautiful drive!

After eating lunch in Kalambaka, we were back on the road to go uphill again to the monasteries perched on top of the huge, high rocks.

If you look carefully, you see the monastery on top of the rock...that is where we are going!

 

Stopped for a photos on the way up!

It's incredible how far up you are and what a steep climb it is

The Varlaam Monastery

 

Originally, the only way up and down was by net on a rope...this device was used to pull up the net with the rope.

 

 Now they have a basket to get provisions up and down

 

This is the net people rode up and down in the old days.   Me?  I'd say, "NO WAY!"  I guess it took a lot of faith to trust someone to get you up and down.  Our guide said a monk was once asked how often they replaced the rope, he replied, "when God tells us to".

We saw this cross from the photo stop area on the road...it looked tiny!

 After the Varlaam Monastery, we drove over to the Saint Stephen's Monastery.  Also, very interesting and beautiful.

 Looking down on Kalambaka from the monastery.

 After a wonderful day of travel, information and beauty, we checked in at the beautiful Amalia Hotel outside of Kalambaka.  Just after arriving in our room and sitting out on the lovely covered veranda off our room, it began to rain.  The fragrance of the rain was fresh and the sound so peaceful.  It was a lovely way to end the day.  Evi, our guide, gave us volumes of interesting information, too much to share on the blog but so fascinating. 

I end today with a cross.

 In the churches we visit we see so many paintings, icons, statues, artwork, etc.  But above all, I like seeing the empty cross the best.  It reminds me of what Christ did for us, but also that He is no longer hanging on the cross...He is our risen Lord.  For that I am so thankful.

 

Tomorrow, we make our way back to Athens.  We stay at the same hotel as before where we probably won't have Internet access.  Friday, September 21, the tour continues with a three day cruise to some Greek Islands and Turkey.  We will blog at the next possible location.

Until then, Peace be with you!

Russ & Carol