SUMMER VACATION 2012 (PART 4)

               

PHOTOS

                    (PART 4: Places we visited)



An oak tree with a story. Legend has it that when this tree dries up the village will disappear (meaning it will be completely deserted and become a ghost town).

       Okay, Part 4 and last! I know it almost became a TV series but I took soooo many photos and I wanted to share them with you. I really hope you enjoyed them and I didn't tire you!

 

       Well, here I have some photos from my mom's hometown. My mom spent her childhood on the high and rugged Pinthos mountains of Ipiros, in a village of the Souli area, called Agia Kiriaki. Back then, it was a very large and thriving village but as people started migrating to flat lands of lower altitude the village gradually became decayed and abandoned. Today, very few people (mostly of old age) remain in the village. 

 

Ruins of what once used to be a house

 

The well at my mom's old (and ruined) house still stands and actually still has water in it.
 

The steps were leading to the 1st floor

 What a view they had!







The greenery has affectionately tried to cover the houses' ugly nakedness



 

Graphic narrow pathways lead locals to their land and to neighbors.



 

More scenic (and peaceful) routes!

 

 

 

 

A little bridge over a small river that overflows in winter!

 



The square outside the church is the venue of many feasts (mostly of religious holidays)

The church of Agia Kiriaki village which is more than 100 years old.



 

 

       On our trip back home to Athens we drove through many beautiful little towns and saw some amazing things. One place we visited was the archaeological site of Delphi which will be a future post I'm sure you'd like to read.

I can't decide if this little outdoor coffee shop in Mazarakia village is cute or tacky. What do you think?

It sure is original!

 

This really is a funny picture. In the city of Igoumenitsa we saw this little fresh fish store. Did you notice the cats? One is inside right next to the man! Fishes and cats!!! LOL!

In the city of Vonitsa we came across this little church 'smack' right in the middle of the street!!! No one would dare knock down a church when they were building the road so they made a 'detour' around it and to make sure drivers pay attention they even installed traffic lights!!!
(above:front                     below:back)



The following are photos from beautiful Arachova, a very popular winter resort. Everybody who is somebody comes here to ski in the winter. At that time the place is absolutely packed!

 

Well, I hope you really liked my pictures and got some insight of how the Greek countryside looks like (at least some part of it). If you haven't already seen our other photos/adventures from our vacation then click here (Part 1), here (Part 2) and here (Part 3).

 

Don't forget to leave a comment! I love hearing from you!