In 1989 I went to Mount Athos for the first time together with my two brothers and friend Jaap. Just recently Jaap digitized his photo’s in low res. It brings back memories.

Leaving Gregoriou on our way to Dionysiou where we stayed the second night.

Ruined parts of Koutloumousiou, nowadays restored

Jaap with the monk who guarded the border.

The beautiful footpath near Dionysiou.

Arsanas Docheiariou

Cracks in the wall of Koutloumousiou

Brother Wim in his very fast Saab Turbo near the border. We drove from Amsterdam to Ouranoupolis in 25 hours with one stop in Yugoslavia.

The first night we slept in Panteleimonos after a walk from Karyes. From the Russian monastery we walked  to Dionysou passing Simonas Petras for the second night. Then we crossed the mountain ridge to arrive at Filotheou were we stayed the last night.

Jaap on the balcony of Simonas Petras with the the arsanas/harbour below

We started our trip over the ridge to Filotheou at Simonas Petras. Looking back to this beautiful monastery on the rocks

The arsanas of Simonas Petras.

hv