Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Volos Greece

Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Volos Greece
Volos is a lovely port town in the state of Thessaly. We are 200 miles north of Athens.

There is a long stretch of waterfront cafes. We took a ship’s tour to the archeological museum. It was filled with artifacts from 3000 BC: burial finds, painted funerary stelae, jewelry, coins and tiny sculptures of the human body. There was an interesting progression in clay of a pregnant woman.

We continued to Makrinitsa, a village perched high on Mt. Pelion mountain at 2400 feet. If you don’t like windy roads, perhaps this is not the tour for you. But the view from the top and walking around the village were enjoyable. The red bud trees were in full bloom and absolutely spectacular. The traditional houses were built with three stories at the front, and only one at the back, giving the impression they are stacked on top of each other. We wandered the narrow cobblestone streets that all lead to the main square with its old hollow plane tree, sculptured marble fountain and the little church of Agios Ionnis.

Greece is the 3th largest producer of cement in the world. They produce 800,000 tons of cotton a year. Volos is the home of Jason and Argonauts, who went in search of the Golden Fleece.

This is the port to visit Meteora, where monasteries seem to be balanced on the head of granite pins. Many faiths recognize a tradition of secluded monasteries where monks pursue undistracted contemplation and religious study. No such system is more ingrained than it is in the Easter Orthodox Church. The temples were begun in the 11th century. Each temple has extremely valuable frescoes and other priceless artwork but security has never been a concern. Access is only via very steep marble steps, some winding around the monastery, until you reach a very small monastery at the top of the mountain. A few rooms are carved out of the stone and there is sometimes a pulley system to get heavier items up to the monastery. They are fascinating to visit and the countryside has pocket caves on colorful stone mountains.

It was the “Night of the Gods” and all waiters and crew were dressed in togas. They are VERY creative and it is fun. Paul Brogan, Irish comedian, was the entertainer.

“Some experiences simply do not translate. You have to go to know.” - Kobi Yamada