June 16, 2015. We're in Greece!! Igoumenista, Meteora, Kalampaka

We got to sleep in a little this morning as our ship wasn't docking at the crack of dawn. It ended up being even less of the crack by the time we loaded the bus and and got on our way to Meteora (3pm). Greece is a lovely country. I didn't realize it was so mountainous. Mostly rolling green mountains, not super high or anything... but then we get into the Meteora area and BAM, suddenly these enormous monoliths explode from the earth.

I suppose that was a long time ago that they actually did that, but it was startling to suddenly start seeing these huge rocks just jutting up out of nowhere.

 HELLO GREECE!

 Beautiful countryside.

 I guess someone didn't want any neighbors.

 i think this might be the same building, only now it looks like a church... 

 and then came the rocks...

see what i mean?

  So thankful to God for the glorious weather!

Okay, so if the rocks themselves weren't enough, as we close in, we start seeing buildings on top of them. They are monasteries, these monks really wanted to make sure they stayed isolated. One of the most fascinating things about this place is that these monasteries are 700 years old. Can you imagine? I bought a book and it shows illustrations of them climbing up ladders, fashioning pulleys and such. One monastery we saw still uses just a basket for supplies and access. Like a zip line... It's so cool and so crazy!

At one time there were 24 monasteries here, 6 still operate. We went to St. Stephens Monastery which is now a convent occupied by 23 nuns. Thankfully there was a bridge, not a basket.

Click here if you want to read more about this area. It's truly incredible.

 see the zip line?

 St. Stephens

 3 cheers for bridges!!!

Check out that fence... very cool.

 The view... that town is Kalampaka.

Eric and I.  As you can see, I'm still struggling with the selfie.

Karen & I

 LOVE the fence... and there's a nun on the chapel porch. 

 WOW. just WOW.

I also love windy roads. windy. like WHINE-DEE. not windy. that makes no sense.

After our tour at St. Stephens we went down to Kalampaka, had some free time (SHOPPING!!) until dinner. and then... dinner. zomg. PORK. finally something that isn't chicken. it was delicious. and porky. and not chicken-y.

oh just hanging out by this fountain. not posing, no. this is how i walk. just in case.

my greek goddess sandals.