METEORA : Days 1 & 2

Day 1 :THURSDAY, 13th Octdober.  

True to his word, Thomas turned up this morning with Mike's phone      

     He was given the maximum 5 stars on his review plus the maximum tip, he's a legend!

Edmund was our taxi driver to Larissa station where we caught the train this morning to Kalambaka, a four hour journey to the centre of Greece, with a change of train at Palaeofarsalos which was a bit of a rushed affair as our first train was ten minutes late, we had to change platforms, there is no lift so a dash down a ramp, along a tunnel and up another ramp, then negotiating a broken platform to step into the second train but otherwise a pleasant and surprising journey as we imagined the countryside would be rough, dry and uninteresting which was definitely not the case.  

Scenes from the train

It was not a long walk from the railway station at Kalambata to our apartment and on the way we called in to a cafe for a late lunch, then settled in to our apartment, sorted ourselves out and went walkabout.  A visit to the Visitor Centre provided some necessary information regarding the Meteora Monasteries, which are the purpose of our visit here, then later a meal at one of the cafes (we're spoilt for choices) and a stop at a supermarket for breakfast provisions before an early night.

Day 2 : FRIDAY, 14th October.  It rained through the night and throughout the day but is expected to be fine by midday tomorrow.  A discussion this morning led to the decision to go on a mini bus sunset tour of the Monasteries on Saturday arvo/evening and a 6 monasteries tour on Sunday morning when the weather is expected to be sunny and warm.  Although we're not normally tour people, preferring to do our own 'thing', it has come to our realisation that none of us is young and nimble any more and 140 steps at one monastery and 195 at another could very well be beyond our limitations, hence the tours.  

There was a fresh fruit and vegetable street market held  in our neighbourhood this morning, 

one of the stallholders told Marion that it was a small market because of the rain but it didn't seem very small to us!  We went for a bit of a stroll, took some photos around town

had coffee, visited a bakery and bought a selection of savoury pastries and a cake or two for lunch and on the way home through the market, Mike tripped while trying to avoid bashing his head on a low awning and fell face first on the foothpath in front of a cafe.  The cafe owner showed great concern, rushing to his aid, insisting he sit down, bringing ice cubes to stop the swelling on his forehead as well as a first aid kit.....we were touched by the kindness shown by him and his wife.  We're all in the wars at the moment, Marion has been victimised by some unknown insect and has suffered some nasty, painful bites, Mike has injuries from his fall today, and I still have a problem with the foot I hurt a  couple of weeks ago......we're bunch of old crocks!  Kalambaka is a town of pharmacies, there seems to be one on just about every corner and they are doing well from our patronage!  We thought it prudent to stay in this afternoon, rest and stay out of trouble.