Day 15 and 16: Kastraki

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Yesterday we arrived in Kastraki. It's a very tiny town and at times you won't see anyone on the streets, but it still attracts tourists because it is situated below the rock formation and monasteries of Meteora. These are the most amazing rock formations I have ever seen! Our hotel looks right at them so I get to wake up to this beautiful site. Our hotel is really nice, it doesn't feel like you are in a hotel, it feels like you are in their home (we've already used their washing machine!). The rock formations apparently were originally a delta shaped cone consisting of river stones and mud. Over time it separated into two areas and the water found an outlet into the Aegian. Due to the wind, earthquakes and rain caused it to break up into the large rock formations they are today (up to 400m high). They also have monasteries up in the rocks which we visited today. We taxied up to the first one and then walked to the rest (a few hours of walking). I forgot my phone so when we were ready to go back down (which would have been a 2hr walk in the hot sun) we had to try and wave a taxi down, we were lucky they even passed us all the way up there. Thankfully we got one and taxied back home. It is very hot here in Kastraki, about 30 degrees, but if you look in the distance you can see a large mountain range with snow on them! There are also lots of random cats and dogs everywhere, there were some hanging out in the monasteries but they all looked dehydrated and weren't moving very much in the heat. We also had a turtle in our backyard which we think committed suicide as it walked right over the edge of the garden ledge and we haven't seen it since. We have a friendly cat that walked into my room and tried to have a conversation with me (by meowing, I'm not that dehydrated/delusional yet). Anyway tomorrow we are going to bus back to Athens to meet with our next contiki group so will blog then 😊

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Photos

Kastraki
View from my room

Kastraki
View from our hotel

Kastraki
Turtle that committed suicide

Meteora
The first monastery we visited.

Meteora
Creepy skulls inside the monastry

Comments

[mum]

Wow the rock formations sound wonderful. You would be so pleased to get your washing done. I hope your cold gets better. It is not nice in hot weather to have a cold. It was lovely to speak to you last night. I miss you heaps Melissa. Nicole even said last night Melissa will be home next Sunday yah. Can't wait to see you. But in the meantime have an awesome cruise. Have a wonderful day Melissa. Luv Mum.