1st

Today its a 3 hour train ride to Kalambaka. The first train to Larissa is 2 hours and it is a high speed train. The next train is a commuter type, so the speeds are a lot slower. We arrive in Kalambaka at 2pm.

The terrain was very flat until we arrive into Kalambaka where the huge peaks rise behind the small country town. Pretty impressive even if they are clouded over. I am staying in a small village called Kastraki, about a 2k walk from the station. I liked the idea of being out of town in a very nice hotel overlooking Meteora and very cheap.

After wandering around town i make my way to the hotel. I am greeted by one very happy lady who shows me my room. The very is great and it is so quiet. After unpacking i head back into Kalambaka to find a supermarket and stock up on some supplies for the long uphill hikes.

The evening is spent in front of a log fire place with the owner and her children. I am there only guest as it is now the off season. She tells me this is the best time to visit as there are no queues to enter the monasteries. Over summer time the queues as so long some people dont get to enter the monasteries, let alone get a park as the car parks are full of tourist buses and cars. Just a pity it is raining

2rd

I am woken by the rather heavy rain this morning, so i lay in bed a little longer and listen. Breakfast is good. They serve me an omelette, toasted ham and cheese sandwich, bread and jams, a huge bowl of Greek yoghurt, glass of milk and biscuits. All eaten by the log fire. Very filling.
The rain is still falling, so i will put off the walk till lunch time. The rain finally stops so off we go go to see the Monasteries. The first is not that hard to get to, only about 200 steps to get to the entrance. Now the sign said open, but after 20 minutes or so banging on the door i gave up.

Walking along the road i come across a small path leading into the forest. This path should take me to the top of the peaks where there are 2 more monasteries. Well it is one hard hike to the top. Its steep, slippery, rocky, and just plain hard work. By the time i get to the top i am so hot the jacket has to come off, which looks out of place as everyone else is runged up. It is about 9 degrees. So this one is open and i pay the 3 euros to enter. There is not much to see after you have seen the inside of the small but heavily decorated church.

So i head up the road to the next monastery only to find this one is shut. With visibility next to zero its time to head back to town. The path is far more slippery on the way down and i nearly fall a few times. At least the rain has held off, pity about the very low cloud.

So i walk into Kalambaka to get some food from the supermarket and stop off to replenish my spent energy at the local bakery. I sit and devour a huge sweet pastry pie. Now that feels better. Back to my hotel the rian starts falling, and there is lightning. Not good walking with an umbrella?
Luckily i make it back before the rain turns into a downpour. Its is neraly 9pm and it hasnt stopped raining yet. Lots of lightning and thunder. Hope tomorrows weather is better.

3rd

Well it has finally stopped raining. Still cloudy. After my hearty breakfast its off inot Kalamabaka to do some more hiking up to the Monasteries. The views are pretty stunning as the cloud has lifted a bit. The path is pretty slippery after the rains, but i managed not to fall over. Back in town i rest my weary legs and do some people watching from the town square. Not that there are many people to watch.

Well its getting dark so i make my back to the hotel to get ready for my early departure in the morning. The train back to Thessaloniki leaves at 8.20am.