Greece.

Greece

Ah, Greece. Still a little grubby, but away from the coast saved by its stunning alpine (yes, alpine) scenery and its lovely mountain villages. The use of the abundant natural stone in building gives rural Greece a unique look.

Vergina is where Alexander The Great's father Phillip the Second built a palace. These archaeology students are excavating. It's hard going for them because it rained a few days ago and the soil is a bit sticky Alexander grew up here and planned his campaigns from this very spot.

Photos were forbidden in the museum of Phillip the Second's tomb contents, but these are replicas I found in a gift shop of gold wreaths and caskets all impressive in their fine detail. Considering that they were made in 336BC. 

Gift shops in Vergina had these replica Greek centurion helmets for sale. We were tempted, but no we didn't get one.

Next stop was Delphi. What possesses the Greeks to build in such difficult places.
The Ancient Greeks called this place the Navel of the world. They built a Temple to Apollo as well as a Theatre and Stadium and many more building high up this mountain. 

Delphi Museum had some fabulous bits and pieces from the site in remarkably good nick considering the invasions and earthquakes over the last couple of thousand years.

This is the Charioteer of Delphi dated 477 BC

One of the most extraordinary places in Greece is Meteora. Originally there were 26 Monasteries built on top of huge rocky outcrops, but only 6 are occupied today.

The landscape is fabulous but the Monasteries add that bizarre element. 

Some have staircases built up the side of the cliff for access. 

Others have a flying fox cage for supplies and visitors to brave.

The work involved in building these Monasteries is mind boggling. They were built in the 14th century mainly to evade the invading Turks.

They wouldn't get a permit to do this today. Can you imagine your local council getting your planning permit application and saying. " You want to do WHAT?"

This is the smallest one.

You can see four of them in this shot.

These shrines were everywhere mainly beside the road marking an accident. You could buy then at the hardware, some were very ornate.

Olympia the birth place of the Olympics. A cruise ship was in town so the place was crawling with hundred of tourists.
This spot is where the torch is lit every four years.

Managed to get into the Museum before the tour groups but earthquakes and looting over the centuries has left their mark. 

Nice collection of helmets. It was very hot when we visited, I couldn't imagine waring one of these in that heat.

To escape the heat on the coast we headed for the hills and found this great camp site near a ski village in the alps.

Very high in the mountains we found this tiny village church. It had walnut and chestnut trees a shepherd with his goats  visited while we were there. The goats feasted on the fallen nuts with relish. 

This is what it looked like inside.

The Greek mountains were stunning with villages dotted here and there.

Another scenic spot for the night with a nice cool breeze not far from another ski field which are closed in the off season. 

Some of these little shrine buildings are in remote areas like this one in a forest.

And this is what it looks like inside.

We worked our way up the central  mountains to the north and visited Vikos Gorge. A stunning dramatic landscape.

The rock formations are unique formed in easily separated layers. All the houses in the area are built with this local stone including the roof.

The road walls and houses all built with this very convenient stone.

House entry in Vikos.