The idea of this weblog started with the preparations of our visit to Athos May 2007. At first we started writing in Dutch, but soon we got the hang of it and were aiming at a wider audience by using the English language. To our surprise the audience come from all over the world: people from the US, UK, Greece of course but also visitors from countries which we did not expect such as Japan, United Arab Emirates and Brazil (in total 2009: 121 countries!). In time we bought more books about the Holy Mountain and our knowledge grew.
A handicap is that we can’t understand the Greek language. Our intitiative had a follower in Keliotes/Giannis, who had already a nice Athos-website in Greek, but also discovered that the blog is a nice tool to tell the story of this beautifull place. We still are using his posts – using Google translate – and he does the same with some of our small discoveries. Not only we got more pageviews, but visitors started to make comments and began to inform us about Athos related stuff. We like to thank them in particular, because this interaction and feedback stimulated us very much. In September 2009 we again visited the Mountain. Wim for the 6th time and Herman for the 4th time. Accompanied by 5 good friends we had a wonderful time especially in Mylopotamos, which we shall show you in the coming months. We are not done yet. Already there are plans for another trip in 2011 and there are still stories we want to tell. We hope that you will keep on visiting this blog and give your reactions, comments and tips. Many thanks for that. This is a good opportunity to ask a couple of questions which we are curious about.
– What will be the effect of the economical and financial crisis in Greece at the moment for Mount Athos?
– Does anybody know if this weblog has followers on the Holy Mountain itself?
Wim and Herman Voogd, Amsterdam/Haarlem, The Netherlands
Wim having breakfast with father Joachim at Mylopotamos, 27 Sept. 2009
Herman on the path from Sografou to Konstamonitou. Sept 2009 (photo by B. Kamps)
Wim in our room at Mylopotamos, checking the route for the next day, 26 Sept. 2009
Herman on the beach of Ouranopolis, 25 Sept. 2009
Nice pictures, nice movie, the beginning is/looks very promising. I look forward to read your new stories. Welcome back.
Greatings, Can i take a one small picture from your site?
Pett
Yes, please tell where you got it from.
Actually it means “Orthodoxy or Death.”
The ‘rebel’ flag, the black one, has, as you may know, the same text as is printed on the T-shirt. You may see the flag waving here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxsSUADgFmI&feature=related
My best wishes. Quick to arrive at 10.000 !!!
Congratulations, gentlemen! Keep up the good work!
Congratulations gentlemen!
I personally look forward to your posts and admire your efforts!
As you know, Australia is very far from Athos and Europe in general, via your blog I can share your experiences and relive the years I spent on Athos through your blog.
May God give you the strength to keep up the good work!
Congratulations! Proficiat! Hronia polla 🙂
Very many thanks for your blog!
Bedankt!
In regards to your first question, the crisis has led to severe delays in the implementation of the EU restoration funding. I don’t know if the Greek goverment is simply delaying the funding or is withholding it for other uses. Direct EU help is the only current hope for Athos as the Greek government is highly unlikely to give public funding to Athos not only because of the crisis, but also because some parts of the media may regard it as “scandalous” remembering the recent Vatopaidi case. Finally, the government is planning to heavilly tax the monastic property outside Athos, which may, or may not, affect the level of hospitality the monasteries cn provide to the pilgrims.
ΧÏόνια πολλά; hartelijk gefeliciteerd; congratulations with nr 1000 of this marvellous blog!!
XRISTOS ANESTH !!! AND XRONIA POLLA
VERY GOOD BLOG WORK WHICH TRAVELLS IN A FANTASTIC HOLY PLACE… THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND ALL THE BEST WISHES FOR YOU.