7/11 Volos Greece

Monday 7 November                 Volos

Alarm at 7. Met in the theatre for 2 hour coach ride to the Meteora – the clifftop monasteries perched atop fingers of rock, as seen in For Your Eyes Only. The guide was very good and gave us a broad outline of Greek history, family life and the Orthodox religion, which 97% of Greeks follow.

Stairs leading to Monastery with the Nunnery in the distance

We crossed the plain of Thessalonica and then up into foothills and mountains. We swung up a valley and then circled round behind two monasteries to which we walked up and down respectively.  The first housed 12 monks and the second 20 sisters, in a very much smaller building. There was a seamless continuity between rock and building. The workmanship was excellent and the decorations inside the church buildings were very ornate and elaborate. We got detailed commentary on the icons and paintings, depicting the whole story of mankind from Creation to the Final Judgement, including the martyring of Saints and the punishment of sinners.

Buildings in amazing condition perched on these rock outcrops.

There was a tiny old lady with a walking stick who looked very frail. The sales fellow came up to her at the ship theatre and emphasised (in fact exaggerated) the steps and walking and pretty much told her she would be left behind and see nothing. As it was we were delighted that she strode it out and got right up the top.

They took us for a Greek buffet afterwards and then the 2 hour trip back, during which we all dozed. Then it was time for the prize voucher redemption. The Big payout. Quite disappointing that they put out such a limited selection of prizes. We ended up choosing two teddies and an umbrella. Then in for the Last Supper. Up for the quiz, which we WON, the last show, which we enjoyed from the private box as usual. Then the farewell pub quiz, which WE WON as well, thanks to a blistering final 4 questions of cryptic interpretations. The team has been performing really well and everyone has put up really good answers. Darryld stepped up as token Yank very well and Rob produced all sorts of weird answers that surprised him as much as anyone else.

For the first time, the boat rode a bit rough and we started feeling queasy.