The Aqua-transportation via Agia Anna:
The mountain itself is majestic, magnificent beyond words, and beyond pictures, but here is one anyway as we approach on the ferry:
Wish I would have brought light, small, high power binoculars. So thankful PA talked me into good telephoto camera. What a difference it makes in photographing monasteries from the boat.
Some monasteries northwest of the port at Dafni.
Docheiariou:
Xenophontos:
Panteleimonos (Russian);
We disembarked the ferry at the main port, Dafni, so we didn't see rest of monasteries on this east side from the ferry. (One option was for us to take the Ferry to Agiou Pavlou, near the southern tip of the peninsula, to be picked up there, but we are being picked up at main port instead.).
We stopped at the peninsula's only town, the capital of the Holy Mountain, Karyes, to purchase supplies. Here is a shot of the mainstreet, much like the mainstreet of any other small town, except that its stores cater to the interests of monastics and Pilgrims.
From Karyes we followed the main ridge of the peninsula ascending toward the mountain itself, and then descending down the west side of the ridge into the ravine where Lakkosketti is located. On a map, it is very near the blue dot;
From the access road above, the kellion where I stay is in the foreground of this picture, with the peak of Mount Athos in the background on the left:
I was greeted very warmly and in the customary manner in the receiving area: conversation, Turkish coffee, water, sweets, and ouzo.
From the porch in front of my room, I have a nice view of the Montain peak:
And of the Aegean in the distance:
The natural beauty aside, it is a tremendous joy (and privilege, indeed, pure gift) to be here. The presence of the saints and especially the Mother of God, are strongly felt here, as are the 1000+ years of continuous prayers--all directed toward communion with our Lord, and God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
