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Ypsilos Monastery in Lesbos has a magnificent position on the top of an extinct volcano. The road circles around the volcano then splits with one way up and one way down – a choice often presented to the wavering faithful.
The monastery is on the way to Sigri which is a little village on the coast. The petrified forest is also nearby so you can combine these destinations on your trip.
The monastery is a quiet place. There didn’t appear to be anyone around when we visited. Through the well protected gateway you enter a little colonaded courtyard. The inside of the chapel is dark and peaceful.
Filtered light streams in through the windows in the chapel and there are a few icons displayed. It’s cool inside.
You can walk up on top of the battlement where there is a bell. There is an old well outside the main wall and evidence of an old pathway that would have been used before the luxury of the road.
From here you can drive on to the petrified forest or perhaps a little further on to the coast.
Skiathos is a small Greek island with some historical significance – it was here in 1807 that the blue and white Greek flag was first flown. The ceremony took place at the Evangelistria Monastery which is about 10 minutes out of town (or around 2 hours if you walk).
It’s worth all the steps up to the Molyvos Castle. Besides the view, you pass a lot of shops on the way up.
Mytilini, the capitol of Lesbos is situated on a harbour that is circled by shops, houses, restaurants, churches and a huge castle.
You can see Australian native animals at The Healesville Animal Sanctuary – an amazing place a couple of hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Here you will experience up-close encounters with a range of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, birds, snakes, and the strange platypus.
The Stick Shed in Murtoa is a second World War grain storage area so unique that it has pride of place on the Australian Heritage Register. Who would have thought there would be a forest of mountain ash trees in the Wimmera.
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria’s largest salt lake. The lake is famous for its sky reflections when it is filled with water (it’s called a sky mirror) so the best time to visit is during the July/November period.