The kitchen of the famous Father Epifanios (building E on the plan in post 1032)

Large pans hanging on the wall

The fire place where Father Epifanios cooks his food

In the lower part of building E there is a dining room, where some objects are displayed, like this stone millstone, used as an olive oil press. Look at the wines that were waiting for us. Margerites brought as special Mylopotamos wine from 2004 (if I remember correctly). We tasted a smoother and softer version of the younger 2008 Myolopotamos wine!

And in this room you can find a large iron oil press. Have a look at the big Athos map behind the press.

And then we we got dinner, prepared by Father Ioachim. He made us some fine crispy “patatas”, as you can see on this picture, like I never had before on Mt. Athos.

Pilgrims Bas, Jaap and Herman having dinner at Mylopotamos, after a long and intrigueing day. The main course was Octopodia (Octopus) in rice and tomato sauce, with lovely fresh salads of tomato, olives and cucumber and a vegatable salad. And of course, the hot patatas! Thanks to Father Ioachim!

Reflecting the long day and enjoying the good wine after dinner: Oenologist Margerites, Father Ioachim, Father Prodromos, Bas, Jaap and Herman (the Albanian workers already left).

After dinner we got a surprize from Father Ioachim, but before that I will show you were we ended our day: in the reception room in building C, where Father Ioachim generously offered us a glass of French cognac. On the wall I saw this painting of three archangels:

Reception room: the Holy Trinity (also known as the Old Testament Trinity and the Hospitality of Abraham). The icon is originally painted by St Andrey Rublev in Russia. Thanks to Orrologion.

Reception room building C: an icon of the two Apostles Peter and Paul

We ended our visit to Mylopotamos with a tour through the wine cellar and the new visitors centre (no pictures available).

It looks like this picture ends day one at Mt. Athos – Herman relaxing his feet and planning day two -, but you have one more blog to go: the surprize Father Ioachim gave us by showing the library!! (maybe because of the influence of our dear fellow blogger from Greece Giannis, who visited Mylopotamos only a couple of days before us?)
Wim Voogd, 8/4