Nia and I set off at 7 a.m. and drove three hours north to the prefecture known as Arkadia, to the very migh mountain villages of Dimitsana and Stemnitsa. In Stemnitsa, we hiked down the Menalos Gorge to the 13th-century monastery of Agios Prodromos (St. John the Forerunner), which hangs against the cliffs and is accessed through a series of caves. We were befriended by one of the seven monks who live there.
The descent to the gorge was a bit scary (in flip-flops) and the scenary was epic.
More to come on this adventure--but for now, the photos tell the story.
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| Leaving home at an ungodly hour (6:30 a.m.) |
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| Powered by lamb chops |
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| Vanity plate...just not ours |
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| One of about 50 huge mountain goats in the road |
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| Hanging monastery of St. John the Forerunner (13th century) |
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| Village of Stemnitsa at 4200 feet elevtion |
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| Menalos Gorge below |
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| Mountainous region of Arkadia |
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| Catching our breath in Dimitsana |
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| Hike down to the Loukias River in the Menalos Gorge |
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| Rattly bridge over icy water |
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| A curious aquarmarine color |
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| Coffee shop with an incredible terrace view |
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| Unworldly terrain--we're coming back with our hiking gear in 2022 |
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