Great Journey 🏍 Day 172
Ithōmē. Which means pile of stones. An almost 800 m high one at that.
While we are taking a break down in ancient Messene, the souvenir shop salesman approaches us and asks us to make sure we go up Mount Ithōmē. We really would have a magnificent view from there. With a knowing glance at our motorbike, he tells us that we don't have to walk either. We could just drive up.
Once at the top, we stroll to the old Voulkanos monastery. A small monastery. A small area surrounded by stones. A church bell, a few buildings, probably for sleeping humans and animals, and a small chapel. The inner courtyard is blooming and sprouting.
The view from the top alone is magnificent. We have the feeling that all of Messinia is at our feet. We look all the way to the sea and can even make out Kalamata today because of the good visibility. Our gaze wanders over the hills along the many small winding streets and roads.
Up here, within the monastery walls, there is a wonderful peace. The wind stays outside, the sun warms the stones and makes the meadow bloom powerfully. We are not completely alone here, meet other travellers and chat a bit about travelling in general and the possibilities here in Greece in particular.
Once again, we almost can't believe where life takes us: to Greece and the Peloponnese.
