Category Archives: Trip 2019

2179 – A flock of birds

Posted on November 23, 2020 by

On the boat between Dafni and Ouranoupolis, on the way back from the Holy Mountain, you are often surrounded by seabirds. Mostly seagulls that follow the ferry. They are so greedy that they even pick a piece of bread of … Continue reading →

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2159 – The fast-walking monk from Vatopedi

Posted on August 1, 2020 by

On our way to Vatopedi in 2019 we suddenly were caught up by a very fast walking monk that raced past us. Of course we tried to have a chat but he turned his head smiling and told us, in … Continue reading →

Posted in 02 Vatopedi, Trip 2019, walking | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

2156 – Grigoriou monastery and its trapeza

Posted on July 21, 2020 by

On October 2nd 2019 we walked from Dionysiou to Grigoriou, a relatively short hike of 3 km’s, that took us 1 hour and 20 minutes walking time, but the steep climbs and the vicious descents made it a tough trip. … Continue reading →

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2140 – the hike from Agiou Paulou to Dionysiou

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

This is a relatively short hike, only 3,3 km long, that takes about 1 hour walking. The setting is beautiful: leaving the Agiou Paulou monastery, with the majestic marble pyramid shaped peak of Mount Athos behind it. At 8 o’clock … Continue reading →

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2138 – a close look at Agiou Paulou monastery – 3

Posted on May 20, 2020 by

While the world is hit hard by the invisible and sometimes deadly Corona virus and while we are all waiting in our lockdown to go back to normal live again, a few signs of hope immerge. In most countries the … Continue reading →

Posted in 14 Paulou, Trip 2019 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

2137 – a close look at Agiou Paulou monastery 2

Posted on May 8, 2020 by

As my brother Herman described in his post 2097 about the monastery of Agiou Paulou, the monastery was already mentioned in the Typicon of 1046. That makes the monastery one of the oldest monasteries on the Holy Mountain. But why … Continue reading →

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2135 – A walk in the night around Simonos Petras

Posted on April 29, 2020 by

Quite contrary to my normal habits I woke up very early. It was still night and pitch dark. I didn’t want to disturb my sleeping fellow pilgrims so I went outside very quietly. We were in the new guest building, … Continue reading →

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2134 – Vegetables pulled up to Simonos Petras

Posted on April 20, 2020 by

Only if you have good trust in fate you can look down, vertically, from the overhanging fragile wooden balconies of Simonos Petras. More than 40 meters below you, monks and their helpers were working in the gardens. The gardens are … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 Simonos Petras, food, Trip 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2132 – An eagles nest high on a cliff, Simonos Petras

Posted on April 13, 2020 by

The most iconic monastery on Athos is, no doubt about it, Simonos Petras. Built as an eagles nest high on a cliff, more than three hundred meters above sea level. Byron compared it to the Potala in Lhasa (Tibet) which … Continue reading →

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2130 – Looking at the Sporades

Posted on April 12, 2020 by

The monastery of  Simonos Petras is, as it were, glued to a mountainous rock of 330 meter above sea level. Views in all directions are stunning  while standing on the balcony. Looking to the left, a view on Sithonia , … Continue reading →

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