Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
23rd June -
Was up earlyish so I could get ready to head out of Athens to Meteora. Enjoyed a nice large long breakfast while looking up a couple of ways to get to meteora and places to stay. Made me think back 3 or 4 months ago when I spent weeks looking online and reading different things about where to spent my first 3 nights in Budapest I thought I had to do such much booking and research and yet Today I woke up with a plan to travel by bus Kalambaka and stay there two nights. Not 100% sure where or what time the bus leaves from and have no accommodation booked.... Such a change in organization and stress levels.
Repacked my bag so I can leave my large backpack in Athens and just take a small bag for the two nights I am going to be. walked to a couple of travels agents and got the name of the bus station I need to go to for the bus. Was able to checkout and say some last goodbyes to my fellow topdeck Greek island hopper group.
Caught a taxi to the bus station and was surprised when he put the meter on no argument and drove straight there... No circling the block and then helped to point me in the right direction for the ticket counter I needed once I arrived. Timing worked out well as I arrived at the bus station just before 11am and there was a bus leaving at 11:30am.
The bus fairly empty so got the two front seats to myself. I am traveling for the next 5 so hours with most old ladies that seem to only speak Greek. The drive so far I have slept for a bit as it is slighty warm on the bus and there is this soft calming Greek music playing thought the speakers. Has been alright even just looking out the windows at the changing scenery as we drive further away from Athens. We are traveling on a tollway and the driver paid for the first two station but then got another station and just got out and shock the bom- gate till it malfunctioned or something and opened. Is an interesting trick to try.
We are traveling along side the coast line of the Aegean sea for a brief while. Have a slight giggle to myself every time one of the old ladies phone rings with a lady GaGa ringtone. She doesn't look to be in her 80s but I guess fans can come from all different demographics.
Stopped for a break after about 2 hours. It is hot out the bus says around 38 degrees and it certainly feels that warm. We made a quick stop at Lamia to pick up passengers. We then started to climb through some mountains. I was thinking the km till we arrive seem low compared to the time still left. Well I am not exactly sure what time I am going to arrive but guides book say it take around 5 hours on the bus.
At 4 pm the bus stopped in Trikala. This was the last stop so got of here and changed buses to kalambaka. The next one was leaving at 415 so again was lucky with the timing. It was only a short 45 min ride and meant a couple of girls from Texas. Arrive in Kalambaka and walk up the street finding a guest house that was mentioned in the lonely planet so took a room there for the next two nights.
The owner is very friendly and walked me up to the room and explained how to use the air con and then went through the tv operation. I think he was particularly excitied about the fact that the tv has both analogue and digital choices. Rested in the room for a while, my balcony has amazing view towards meteora, before heading out to walk around and explore the town. It is a very quiet place with only a few shops open. It was surreal thought to see the men siting around out the front of the cafes sipping drinks, talking, playing backgammon and flipping pray beads. It seems that males of any age spend the early siting outside mixing together. I assume the women are inside preparing dinner.
As you walk around you can see the amazing rock formations of meteora. I as busy trying to take photos, while the locals just go about there business not at all impressed by the amazing sights they see every day. Was back at the hotel before dark as it is slightly off the main area and some of the surrounding building look unfriendly.
- comments