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Freshwater fish in Kastoria, a lunch under Meteora and natural beauty in Grevena

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Freshwater fish extravaganza!

All species seemed to be represented in the numerous tanks of the Aquarium of Kastoria, the biggest aquarium in the Balcans for this type of fish.

Among the exhibits I was pleasantly surprised to also find lobsters and even newts.

In a previous post, I shared a little about my trip to the Prespes lakes and a particularly delicious meal of trout I had on the shore of the Big Prespa. The other fish option on the menu, also fished locally, was ‘grivadi’ – a word I hadn’t heard before. I asked the waitress what it tastes like.

She said it has a very acquired taste, and thus, advised me to have the trout instead. So, I took her advice, and really enjoyed my meal. But the word ‘grivadi’ stuck in my head, and I promised myself to look it up or even attempt to find it in a store back home so I can try it some other time.

I didn’t have to wait long to find out what it is!

Among the exhibits in the Aquarium of Kastoria, during the same journey, I saw ‘grivadi’ fish swimming in a large tank! The sign told me so, and the English name mentioned on it was ‘cyprinus’. I did recognise this word, and from what I can remember, I’ve never actually eaten this fish.

My curiosity satiated, I moved on to the next tanks, and then, I found out that the Koi fish is a type of ‘grivadi’ (Cyprinus) too!

Needless to say, I was appalled.

KOI? I almost ate KOI?

I am still laughing thinking about it. For some reason, it shocked me to think people eat at the Prespes Lakes a type of fish that dwells as mere decoration in garden fountains in other parts of the world.

My mind swiftly concocted the image of a lady in a posh mansion somewhere sending her maid to the fountain in the garden with a net to go catch lunch for her and the lord.

Ha ha.

As I said, I found the notion hilarious and considered myself lucky. So glad I had the trout, folks. So glad 🙂

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Beautiful Greece…

Pleased to share today some more pictures from the coach trip of last Easter – from 2 stop overs where we enjoyed some marvelous vistas. We made the first stop for lunch at the city of Kalabaka that is crowned by the majestic Meteora.

Sadly, we had no time to visit a monastery that day and when we returned to the area on our way to Athens it was Easter Monday and the monasteries were closed to visitors.

I visited two of the most renowned monasteries of Meteora in the far past–an unforgettable experience–so I wasn’t too sad about this. Plus, I know I am bound to return another time to visit them again 🙂

I couldn’t have enough admiring (and taking pictures of) the iconic rock formations from the coach window and especially during our stop over at the restaurant Theoxenia, just out of Kalabaka. It was a great restaurant, by the way, with a wonderful buffet, where we got to enjoy gigantes and briam. Yummy.

We made another short stop that day on the way to our hotel in Kastoria. It was in the middle of nowhere in the area of Grevena where we caught people diving in for a swim in a serene river. The rock formations there were smooth and just as stunning, so reminiscent of Meteora. I had no idea Grevena is so beautiful… I was so pleasantly surprised.

Truly, Greece is gorgeous wherever you go! So much fuss is made over the islands, and rightfully so, but the mainland holds tremendous treasures that only savvy tourists know about. I’ve been travelling around Greece all my life, and I am still amazed by how diverse it is.

It offers so many different kinds of landscapes, and many are just not what the average tourist expects to find in Greece. I don’t care how biased this seems – I will say it: What an amazing country this is! The more I travel in it, the more I realize the surprises it has in store are simply inexhaustible.

Check out my travel report from the city of Kastoria and its alluring lake views!

 

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Prespes Lakes and Greek broad beans in tomato sauce (gigantes)

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The Prespes Lakes under the rain….

I wanted to visit the Prespes Lakes all my life, and thus was a little gutted to arrive with drizzling rain there last month!

Still, the vistas were so fantastic and the energy of the place so compelling I soon forgot it was raining as I walked about carefree, sans unbrella…

At the Small Prespa Lake, we took the bridge to the tiny isle of St Achilleios (Acchiles). The air was fresh and full of birdsong. The isle was lush all over as you can see in the photographs.

In the short time we had we managed to visit the remains of the Basilica of St Acchileios dating from the 10th century.

A short ride on the coach later, we arrived at the fishing village of Psarades on the shore of the Big Prespa Lake where we enjoyed trout on the BBQ and a plate of locally farmed broad beans (gigantes) in a rich tomato sauce.

Above, you can see the table where we sat. I was instantly drawn to this corner as I loved the painting of the Big Prespa Lake. And that says a lot because on the other side of the seating area there was a woodstove burning, which would have been nice, seeing we arrived to eat rather damp all over haha

Walking around the village after our meal didn’t take long as it is tiny, and it looked rather forlorn that day – hardly any locals or tourists about. Water buffaloes and rare species of dwarf cows were grazing by the lake. It all made for a thrilling sight. All the while, it didn’t stop drizzling with rain, and it was pretty chilly too, but nothing could mar the experience for me.

The Prespa Lakes are on the Greek border to the countries of Albania and North Macedonia. Greece shares the Small Prespa with Albania, and the Big Prespa with Albania and North Madedonia.

Delicious Greek ‘giants’

‘Gigantes’ means giants, and this is the cute ‘ name the Greeks use for broad beans.

Coming back home from the Prespes Lakes, I brought a big pack of gigantes with me, which I’d bought from a local producer on the shore of the Small Prespa. It doesn’t get better than that, I guess, to get the real deal, as the Prespes beans are famous in Greece.

The taste was superb, just like the meal tasted during that taverna meal I mentioned earlier. I included celery (the thick variety, not the slim Greek one) and it gave the meal the exact taste I recall from that taverna meal. GO HERE to get the recipe. It includes mentions to two different variations you can try! Each uses different ingredients that provide a totally new experience every time.

 

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My new supernatural rom com is on preorder! Plus, a FREE sample for you

 

Emilia wished to be young again… and then, it happened.

Emilia Paschos feels she’s lost out on life and wishes on her 45th birthday to be young again. A mysterious gypsy called Esmera makes it happen, allowing her to switch her age back and forth by twenty years by singing a song. Soon, unexpected news sweeps Emilia off to the island of Milos, where she was raised, with an opportunity to start her life anew.

A nosy neighbour, a flirtatious ex, and an obnoxious cousin cause trouble as Emilia tries her new gift from time to time, but then two strange girls, Elise and Chloe, turn up one day and begin to help in miraculous ways, being just as magical as Esmera. They are all angels, except Emilia has no idea…

Being young again makes Emilia feel exuberant, but it pales in comparison to the way Andreas, a handsome Greek widower and newly established restauranteur on the island, makes her feel. Together they rescue a puppy, and now she feels like she is being rescued too. Because Andreas, who is in his 50s, has eyes only for the real her, not for her younger self. The only problem is, her angelic gift keeps expiring in the most awkward moments!

How much longer can she keep her secret? And, what will she choose? The exhilarating gift of youth… or the sweetness of love?

Wuhoo! I am so excited to say that my new supernatural rom com, The Song of Youth, is now on preorder on Amazon. It is launching on July 22, and I plan to get the paperback out there earlier than that.

And, I have just prepared a sample of the first 4 chapters for you guys! You’re welcome to check it out. I’d love to hear what you think!

VISIT AMAZON   OR    GO HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FREE SAMPLE!

 

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Clean romance short read, FREE with Kindle Unlimited. It’ll transport you straight to Corfu to experience summer in an idyllic Greek seaside village. Visit Amazon

 

Kelly ran a marathon in Nafplio and wound up running a house. With a ghost in it! Both humorous and moving, with tantalising clean romance, it’s just the ticket to lose yourself reading! Read more on Amazon
Kate has a guardian angel. She just doesn’t know it. Plus, she’s falling for him. Delightful paranormal romance set on the idyllic island of Sifnos. The descriptions of Greek food will make you feel ravenous. Don’t read when hungry. You’ve been warned! OOOPPPPAAAAAA! Get it now on Amazon

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Beautiful Kastoria and Granny’s pasta sauce with spetseriko

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Happy people, happy waterfowl

I am telling you, I had the most serene walks in Kastoria. Sitting on a bench and gazing out at the stunning landscape became my number 1 favourite pastime during Greek Easter, earlier this month.

And I envied the locals so much, for having these alluring paths to walk on, at the edge of Lake Orestiada. The lakeside front is 15-kilometre-long!

Out of town, the lakeside path is often pedestrian, beckoning as an earthly paradise to nature lovers. Plane trees everywhere, the bird song rich, and the ambiance is magical.

Kastoria is a town in west Macedonia (northern mainland of Greece) and it is famous for its fur merchants. It is a town of vast history. Firstly inhabited in neolithic times, it was first conquered by the Romans, then the Byzantines, the Bulgarians, the Normans, the Franks, the Serbs, and the Turks, before finally becoming part of Greece in the beginning of the 20th century.

The old quarter is called Doltso and it is built on a hill. Its lanes with many antiquated estate mansions and old buildings with black wooden beams made it a pleasure to explore.

Sadly, our tour saw us out of town in the mornings and back to Kastoria in the late afternoons every day at a time when the folklore museum and other places of interest were closed for the day. But we did manage to visit the town’s aquarium, which is the largest freshwater aquarium in the Balcans. It exhibits fish and other organisms that are indigenous, endemic or foreign to Greece, living in lakes and rivers.

I will post photographs from the aquarium and the tiny yet quaint and historical Monastery of Panayia Mavriotissa another day. Both are situated on the lake.

We missed the chance to visit the ‘Dragon’s Cave’, a cave by the lake with rich stalactite and stalagmite decoration, underground lakes, halls, corridors and tunnels.

Oh well, I am not all that gutted, though, since we managed to visit the neolithic settlement by the lake that depicts life in the area some 7,500 years ago! It was enthralling to visit the little huts, some of them on stilts over water. Inside, there were human figures made of clay and replicas of everyday items that have been found at the excavation site nearby.

Enchanting and educational stuff. Go here to check out my post about this amazing place!

Just like Granny Antigoni used to make…

I’m still amazed. Last weekend, I managed to recreate my Corfiot granny’s pastitsada! It tasted just the same with Spetseriko and a couple extra spices. Pastitsada is a traditional Corfiot dish made with pasta, beef and carrots in a tomato sauce.

I went for spaghetti instead of the traditional pasta number 2, though. A personal preference, and it was just as yummy. I’ll have to make it again with the proper pasta and blog the recipe for you, guys. Watch this space! And, see below for more info on the secret spice mix from Corfu!

Here’s something you may not know…

There is a secret spice mix dating from Corfu’s Venetian occupation days, and it is called Spetseriko! It is delicious and aromatic in tomato sauces, such as in pastitsada, and also in pastichio.

This secret spice mix used to be made by the pharmacists on the island, and there is one pharmacy in town today that still makes it from an original recipe!

GO HERE to read my post about Spetseriko. It contains a recipe to make it at home too. And, if you plan to visit Corfu town, you’ll get to hear which pharmacy you need to go to to get your own bag of genuine Spetseriko!

 

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Pozar thermal baths and sleeping bears

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Pozar thermal baths – an unforgettable experience

You know that feeling when you get in the bath after a long tiring day? When your muscles are tight and every sinew in your body is crying for mercy? And then, as the warm water envelopes you, you begin to relax, feeling as if you’re melting away, every cell in your body emitting a thank you?

Well…. Multiply that by a thousand, and you have an idea of what it feels like to dip into the pools of Pozar! I visited this blessed place on the slopes of Mt Kaimaktsalan (Voras) in the region of Macedonia, Greece last December. It was about 13 degrees C as I recall, and we were wearing jackets. I was worried about how cold I was going to get walking in a swimswuit from the changing cubicles to the natural pool, but I was determined not to miss the chance. And, boy, am I glad for my choice!

Small mercy number 1: No wind was blowing.

Small mercy number 2: The changing cubicles were a stone’s throw away from the steps that led down to the pool. So, I took the plunge! (literally)

Here is a super-short video of the pool my husband and I dippped ourselves in.

Allluring, huh? You can see why I had to brave the cold! And I was so relaxed and warm when I got out that I felt really comfortable, as if it was a summer’s day, as I walked back to the cubicle to change. Therefore, if someone like me can do it, someone who gets chilly at the slightest gust of wind, surely you can too! No matter which part of the year you visit.

The word ‘Pozar’ is Slavic and it means ‘fire’ and ‘burning coal’.

No surprise there! The water in Pozar is naturally warm at a steady temperature of 37 degrees C. You can see the steam that kept on rising in some of the pictures, especially the one taken from right above the waterfall. The recommendation was to stay in the pool for 20 minutes and not longer. We did just that and it felt more than enough. Our skin felt soft for days after!

Pozar thermal baths are located in the area of Aridaia in the region of Pella, 32 kms west of Edessa. You can easily combine it with a visit to Edessa’s waterfall park, which I shared about previously. Edessa is a wonderful city to stay in, or, to visit Pozar, you can also seek accomodation in the small village of Agios Athanasios (located 40 kms from Pozar).

There are massage therapists on site as well, if that’s of interest. There are also derelict buildings of lodgings of long ago on the opposite bank accessible by a bridge. They made me sad to gaze upon. Pity they were left to rot away like this amidst the forest, but I guess they added to the charm of the place, somehow.

Pozar thermal baths offer both outdoor pools and indoor ones. The latter are charming, some stunning to look at, decked in beautiful tiling or stone. One needs to book beforehand to use the indoor pools. There is a huge artificial outdoor swimming pool on the grounds, but it was closed for maintenance during my visit. The small outdoor natural pool we chose was just perfect for us.

Apparently, some people dare the impossible over there: To jump out of the warm pool you can see in the photo and stand under the cold water of the waterfall to the left and then back into the warm pool! It is supposed to be invigorating to the body, much like the sauna/snow combo of the Scandinavians, but beware that you must be strong to do this. It can be taxing for the heart, and I even saw warning signs onsite that said this wasn’t for everyone!

Visit the website of Pozar thermal baths for photographs of the facilities and more information.

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Greek Easter was on May 5 this year and I chose to visit bears of all things…

So my sister phones me on Easter day around midday. ‘Chronia polla!’ she says.

‘Christos Anesti!’ Whispering, I respond, ‘Chronia polla, all the best.’

‘What is it?’ she replies. ‘Were you sleeping?’

‘Nooo…’ I reply. ‘I just don’ t want to disturb the bears…’

What an impossible thing to say haha 

I laughed like a drain once I got out of earshot of the napping bears at Arcturos’s bear sanctuary in Nymfaio, Florina. 

GO HERE TO SEE MY DETAILED POST ABOUT NYMFAIO AND THE BEAR SANCTUARY

 

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The waterfalls of Edessa, a ‘pink sea’, and Apostle Paul’s podium. A Greek travel post

The Waterfalls of Edessa

Today, I thought I’d share some of my photos from Edessa’s world famous Waterfalls Park. Edessa is the capital of Pella in northern mainland Greece (region of Macedonia).

The waters of Edessa’s waterfalls used to power factories in town in the early 20th century, like the Kanavourgio rope factory and the Old Hemp Factory. Both these are standing derelict today, ghostly reminders of their former industrial glory.

But, the waters still run today with the same incredible force!

Watch this super short video of the waters running and crank up the volume!

The waters originate from the snow on Kaimaktsalan mountain situated 35 kms from the town of Edessa.

The waterfalls park is vast – 100,000 square meters. Its biggest waterfall, Karanos, is 70 meters in height – the biggest in Greece. I can attest to the fact it is very impressive, especially as the visitors can stand up close, right behind the water curtain! Things can get a little misty under there, I tell you. I visited in December, but gladly it was safe to stand there without actually getting wet LOL

There is a cave near that spot where you can purchase a ticket (I believe around 2 euros) to have a guided little tour inside. We gave that a miss as we had limited time to spend and preferred to enjoy the beautiful nature as much as possible.

Another great sightseeing spot in the waterfall park is the Open Air Water Museum (Industrial Museum with watermills – factories).

There is also an aquarium (with fish and reptiles) in the grounds, but it was closed during our visit – we were there in the late afternoon, close to nightfall, but I suspect it’s not open in the winter anyway.

So, basically, if you’re planning to visit, plan to stay for ample time, and if possible, visit in the summer to take full advantage of the various sights on offer.

Go here to watch a short video of the WaterFalls Park taken with a drone. It’s breathtaking!

Believe it or not, this space of enthralling natural beauty used to be completely unknown to people before WWII – just a vast space of unexplored vegetation, out of bounds to everyone.

It seems we have the Nazis, of all people, to thank for helping to make this place accessible to visitors today!

The Germans were the first to realize there was a touristic potential to this place. So, work began to make the place accesible and tidy. But not all workers were eager… Each morning, a Nazi sergeant called Fritz used to block all the ways leading to the square, then took away the identity cards of the men who asked for access telling them if they wanted to get them back they had to give a hand at the worksite at the waterfalls!

In the summer of 1942, two swimming pools, several paths, and the first flower beds were available for people to enjoy.

After the end of the war, the place was given to the municipality of Edessa and more work was done to the gardens. When the civil war broke out the waterfalls were forgotten anew, except for the farmers of “Loggos” district, who enjoyed having their bath there…

In 1953, the construction of the restaurant Pisines (Pools) was finished on the site, allowing the locals to gather there to celebrate with a lot of dancing!

The city of Edessa is fun and stunning, waters everywhere, and it is also impressive to behold as you approach town on the country road. It is set high on a precipice, its buildings playing hide and seek behind the dense trees as one approaches. I fell in love with it at first sight. it is a bustling city with an incredible vibe. This was a short visit, and we went around only a little, and only after nightfall. Sadly, we missed a chance to visit the stunning old quarter of Varosi, but surely next time.

Next to the central market, in the centre of Edessa, you will find the Small Waterfalls – another beautiful spot of running waters to enjoy during your coffee break or after a spot of shopping.

This town has bridges all over the place and the sound of running water is never far from your ears as you explore it. A truly, blessed place…

GO HERE TO SEE ALL MY PHOTOS FROM EDESSA

Image credit to discoververia.gr

The pink sea of Veria

When we went to Edessa we also made a stopover in the town of Veria for lunch and a walk about. We stopped at a spot called Elia (Olive Tree) that consisted of a square with a couple of cafes/eateries, beautiful neoclassical buildings, a small green and a ‘balcony’ with a view to beautiful plains.

Veria produces many fruits in these plains;  mainly apricots, but also cherries, kiwis et al.

We visited out of season in December, but as we drove past the plains the beautiful purplish pink tint of the apricot trees still kept catching my eye.

In March, the beauty of the plains catapults to new heights. The plains transform into a sea of pink, and the sweet smell of the apricot blooms is in the wind. Leaving Veria with the best impressions, even without having witnessed this miracle of nature, made me promise to myself to return in the spring the second time round.

GO HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS

The Bema (Podium) of Paul the Apostle in Veria has been preserved well by its people

Veria was hailed ‘Little Jerusalem’ in Byzantine times because of its association with Apostle Paul and over time 70 churches were constructed there, 51 of which still stand today.

Apostle Paul visited Veria at least twice during the period between 50 AD and 57 AD to spread the good news about Jesus Christ. The people of Veria and the Jews welcomed him enthusiastically each time.

Today, the steps are preserved and a beautiful monument has been built there to honour the place where the Apostle once stood to preach. It attracts multitudes of visitors from all over the world.

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Evzones, the Greek presidential guard and its symbolisms

Hi, All! Today I am posting photographs and videos from the Athens military parade on March 25, which is Greek Independence Day. But first, I thought I’d introduce to you to the ‘stars’ of the parade – the Evzones – which are the soldiers of the Greek Presidential Guard.

If you’ve been to Athens, chances are you have visited the monument to the Unknown Soldier before the Greek parliament (Syntagma) and have seen the changing of the guard performed by the Evzones. Their well-balanced moves are made with clockwork precision that make them look like mechanical soldiers in a toy display. It’s absolute perfection. As a youngster, I was always impressed by how easy they found it to remain absolutely still and silent as they stood at their posts even when the tourists approached to speak to them and take photos.

The ‘Evzon’ (singular form of ‘Evzones’), also known as ‘Tsolias’, is the name of the soldier of the Greek Presidential Guard. And even though you may be familiar with the peculiar uniform that sports a skirt, a fez, and pom pom shoes, how much do you know about its history and symbolisms?

Fret no more, as I am about to tell you all about it 🙂

The first mention of the word Evzones was made in Homer’s Works, 3,000 years ago, when he praised the bravery of the Myrmidones, the army of Achilles. Homer referred to them as ‘Evzones’, a word that means ‘Well-suited with a belt’.

Today, the Evzones uniform is a revered symbol of the heroism of the Greeks who have fought for their country since the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s.

The Greek young men in the Presidential Guard have all been hand-picked to serve as guards at Syntagma as well as at Maximou (the Presidential Residence). It is regarded as a huge privilege to a Greek family to have their son serve in this unit instead of getting sent off to the Army, Air Force or Navy somewhere to fullfill their military duty.

The selection criteria are very strict. The army picks the tallest men they can find, for one, but that’s not all. The men have to have high ethics, a good character, and to be able to pass the necessary training, of course. A sense of reverence towards the uniform and what it represents is a must.

There are a couple different shades of the uniform that the Evzones may wear, depending on the season, as some fabrics are warmer than others. In this post, you can see brown and blue shades, but the classic uniform is the one with the white shirt and the blue/golden vest. This is the one the Evzones wear during the annual military parade in Athens.

The Presidential Guard are often invited to other parts of the world, such as the USA (New York) or Australia, and they bring untold joy to the Greeks who live there and celebrate March 25 far away from their motherland. It is certainly an experience to have them march past you. And if you’re a Greek, it’s often a case of looking hard to find a dry eye after. Not an easy task!

Here are a few details of the uniform and what it represents, so you can get an idea why it is so revered by the Greeks:

The fez hat of the Evzon, made of red felt, represents the blood shed in the wars by those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. The long black tassle symbolizes the tears and the mourning of the Greeks during the slavery they suffered under the Ottoman Empire for 400 years.

The white shirt has large open sleeves and the vest has exquisite traditional and folklore designs. They are handwoven with golden and white threads.

The pleated skirt is made with white fabric that’s 30 meters long. The pleats are 400, as many as the years of slavery the nation endured under the Ottoman Empire. In the old days, this skirt was worn by Greek men in many parts of the country such as Attica and the Peloponnese. Every year that passed in slavery the Greeks would secretly add one more pleat to the skirts in rememberance.

The white leggings of the Evzon uniform are made of wool.

The accessories in the uniform include black knee bands, cartridge pouches, blue and white silk fringes that symbolize the Greek flag, and, of course, the characteristic ‘tsarouchi’ shoes, that are fitted with pom poms.

In the old days, the pom poms had a practical use. They helped farmers and other outdoor workers to protect their toes from the cold weather and the snow and to keep the shoe waterproof. 

The ‘tsarouchi’ shoes in the Evzones uniform are handcrafted, made with hard red leather, and each shoe is fitted with 60 nails! One pair weighs about 3 kilos.

These shoes offer a compelling metallic sound when the Evzones walk. The sound becomes awe-inspiring during the annual Athens military parade on March 25 when the Presidential Guard parades down the highway before Syntagma square. The Evzones march slowly and stomp their right feet on the ground. The collective sound from the shoes reverberates all around, bringing chills to the spine and causing the onlookers to erupt in enthusiastic applause.

Take a look for yourself in this short video from the Athens military parade. Other than the Evzones, you will see the officers parading on the front wearing red vests, red pants and gilded boots. They hold 1820s long swords instead of rifles. The other costumes you will see with high boots and breeches represent the heroes who fought for their independence on the islands (like Hydra, Spetses and Crete). The Cretan costume is all black.

Turn up the volume and enjoy!

Hurrah! I had the pleasure to attend the annual military parade this year. Go here to see my photos. You will see massive tanks, drones, firefighters, Navy Seals, and lots more! While we watched, military planes kept flying overhead and I managed to catch a few while filming the parade in this short video. Enjoy!

 

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Athens military parade and the symbolisms of the Greek Presidential Guard #Greek #military #Greece Share on X

Check out more of my posts on Greek culture here: https://effrosyniwrites.com/category/greek-culture/

 

Emilia wished to be young again… And then, it happened.

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Clean romance short read, FREE with Kindle Unlimited. It’ll transport you straight to Corfu to experience summer in an idyllic Greek seaside village. Visit Amazon

 

Kelly ran a marathon in Nafplio and wound up running a house. With a ghost in it! Both humorous and moving, with tantalising clean romance, it’s just the ticket to lose yourself reading! Read more on Amazon
Kate has a guardian angel. She just doesn’t know it. Plus, she’s falling for him. Delightful paranormal romance set on the idyllic island of Sifnos. The descriptions of Greek food will make you feel ravenous. Don’t read when hungry. You’ve been warned! OOOPPPPAAAAAA! Get it now on Amazon

Beach fun and sweet romance mixed with magic spells and bird shifters… The Raven Witch of Corfu is an original story that will rivet you with its unrelenting suspense. The final twist will blow your mind!
Available in paperback , box set or 4 kindle episodes!
 
Planning to visit Greece? Check out our FREE guide to south Corfu!

 

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The Greek custom of Lady Lent and my Lent Monday traditions

Greek Lent Monday and seafood go hand in hand…

My husband and I are creatures of habit. Lent Monday always finds us having the same kind of day, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are blessed to live in a small seaside town and other than a beautiful seafront and a lovely beach near home, we also have a mussels farm in the area and roadside stalls that sell all sorts of seafood all year round.

The latter comes in handy on Lent Monday more than any other time of year.

We always start the day with a walk on the seafront, we buy the traditional unlevened bread (Lagana) from the bakery and get some fresh seafood from the stalls, for our special ouzo feast and lunch of the day.

Lent Monday is a day of reminisching for me. In the old days, when I was young and living with my parents, my grandparents from Corfu tended to be visiting this time of year.  Mum would be tethered to the kitchen stove all weekend preparing a feast for the big day. I’d never seen so many dishes on one single table before, folks, and it only happened once a year, on Lent Monday!

My sister, two male cousins and I would spend the whole weekend flying kites in the nearby fields. The boys would teach us how to mend them, and we always wound up running to Mum to get us some flour so we could make glue with water to mend the broken sails with newspaper. Ah… Those were the days!

Mum made cheesepies from scratch on the eve of Lent Monday, as this is called Tyrini Sunday and it’s a day to eat cheese, as the name suggests. This is an old tradition from the days when it was practical to use up all the cheese in the pantry as the fasting back then was strict and no cheese would be eaten until Easter. It was a total abstention from all animal products, to be exact.

On Lent Monday we fasted strictly, to honour the tradition.

Neraki is a small town next to my town of Nea Peramos, and this is the place where the roadside stalls are.

We buy mussels there all year round but on Lent Monday we also get clams (cockles) to enjoy with some ouzo. 

The cockles go down nicely with lashings of lemon juice, the lemons just cut from the tree in our front yard. Lunchtime, I always make my signature mussels risotto, using the super-fresh locally farmed mussels we buy from Neraki.

It makes for a perfect celebratory meal accompanied by the various treats of the day, like dolmadakia (vine leaves stuffed with rice), broad beans in tomato sauce, pickles, lagana (flat bread with sesame seeds), and chalva (semolina cake).

Here are some photos from the seafront, the stalls and the typical Lent Monday lunch at my place

If you’d like to try my Greek mussel risoto with ouzo, go here for the recipe!

Lady Lent (Kyra Sarakosti)

The Greek custom of Kyra Sarakosti entails hanging in the home a picture of a lady, just like this one, which serves as a calendar during the perood of Lent. It is a rather rare custom these days, but some Greek families do still keep it with their children.

Lady Lent is depicted with a scarf and a cross on her head (because she attends church), with her hands laced together (because she is praying) without a mouth (because she is fasting), and, most importantly, with seven legs – one for each Lent weekend.

According to custom, Lady Lent is hung on a wall and each Saturday the family cuts off one leg – the first one on the Saturday after Lent Monday and the last one on Holy Saturday.

Housewives in the old days would hide the last paper leg inside a dried fig and serve it to the family with other figs. The person who found it would be considered very lucky. In some parts of Greece, the last paper leg would be put inside the ‘Anastasi’ bread (Ressurection) made for Holy Saturday dinner. Again, luck was said to follow the person who got to find the paper piece in their bread.

In some parts of Greece, Lady Lent would be made with a salty dough instead of paper. It was inedible, but it helped to preserve the dough during those 7 weeks. In other parts of the country, Lady Lent would be made using fabric and feathers.

I found this beautiful photograph on the site Workingmoms.gr while looking for a dough recipe for ‘Kyra Sarakosti’ to share with you. Thought you may like to bake it with your kids like some Greek families still do today.

Visit their post on Lady Lent and get a quick and easy recipe for the salty dough. Just make sure the kids don’t try to eat it, LOL

To get more ideas on how to make Lady Lent, even with coloured dough, go to this Google images page

 

Check out more of my posts on Greek culture here: https://effrosyniwrites.com/category/greek-culture/

 

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Beach fun and sweet romance mixed with magic spells and bird shifters… The Raven Witch of Corfu is an original story that will rivet you with its unrelenting suspense. The final twist will blow your mind!
Available in paperback , box set or 4 kindle episodes!
For delicious Greek recipes, go here

 

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Cover Reveal – The Song of Youth, a supernatural romantic comedy

*Drum Roll* *Cover Reveal Alert*

Hi, All! I am so excited to present to you today, The Song of Youth, my new novel featuring angels from The Amulet!

It’s a standalone story!

Emilia wished to be young again… And then it happened.

Emilia feels she’s lost out on life and wishes on her 45th birthday to be young again. A mysterious gypsy called Esmera takes pity on her and makes it happen, showing her how to switch her age back and forth by twenty years simply by listening to a song. Soon, new developments sweep Emilia off to the island of Milos, where she was raised, to start her life anew.

A nosy neighbor, a flirtatious ex, and an obnoxious cousin cause trouble as Emilia tries her new gift from time to time, but then two strange girls, Elise and Chloe, turn up one day and begin to help in miraculous ways, being just as magical as Esmera. They are all angels, except Emilia has no idea…

Being young again makes Emilia feel exuberant, but it pales in comparison to the way Andreas, a handsome Greek widower and newly established restauranteur on the island, makes her feel. Together they rescue a puppy, and now she feels like she is being rescued too. Because Andreas, who is in his 50s, has eyes only for the real her, not for her younger self…

What will she choose? The sweetness of love… or the exhilarating gift of youth?

Yes, folks! It took me a while, having trudged through a few family hardships these past few years, but I finally got there! Many thanks to those among you who wrote from time to time asking me when the new book was coming out. Sorry it took so long. The first draft is now finished and the editing begins next week. I plan to work hard on this book so I can publish it on Amazon in time for your summer vacation – well, August, for sure. Both kindle and paperback.

To be notified when The Song of Youth is out, follow me on Amazon  or join my newsletter

I would like to thank the amazing graphic designer COVERED BY MELINDA who made this beautiful cover for me.

If you’re a fellow author, give Melinda a try. She is incredibly kind, professional, and easy to work with! She also made my covers for An Old Promise, My Corfu Love Story, Running Haunted and The Boy on the Bridge.

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The Song of Youth, the new novel by Effrosyni Moschoudi #fiction #asmsg #newbook Share on X

 

Get Effrosyni’s FREE books with your signup to her bimonthly newsletter! Fun news from her life in Greece and a load of FREE kindle books in every issue! http://bit.ly/2yA74No

 

Clean romance short read, FREE with Kindle Unlimited. It’ll transport you straight to Corfu to experience summer in an idyllic Greek seaside village. Visit Amazon

 

Kelly ran a marathon in Nafplio and wound up running a house. With a ghost in it! Both humorous and moving, with tantalising clean romance, it’s just the ticket to lose yourself reading! Read more on Amazon
Kate has a guardian angel. She just doesn’t know it. Plus, she’s falling for him. Delightful paranormal romance set on the idyllic island of Sifnos. The descriptions of Greek food will make you feel ravenous. Don’t read when hungry. You’ve been warned! OOOPPPPAAAAAA! Get it now on Amazon

Beach fun and sweet romance mixed with magic spells and bird shifters… The Raven Witch of Corfu is an original story that will rivet you with its unrelenting suspense. The final twist will blow your mind!
Available in paperback , box set or 4 kindle episodes!
 
Planning to visit Greece? Check out our FREE guide to south Corfu!

 

For delicious Greek recipes, go here. Are you an author? Check out our FREE promo tips & resources here.

 

by

Beautiful nature at Litochoro Pierrias and a monastery on Mt Olympus

The monastery of St Dionysios of Olympus is situated in the perfecture of Pierria, 3 km from the town of Lithochoro.

I had the pleasure to visit the monastery twice in the recent months (as well as the nearby town of Litochoro, which I’m also sharing about today).

I first visited last December when I traveled to Edessa and Pozar baths (I will be sharing about those amazing places soon, by the way!) and my second visit was during my trip to Salonica (Thessaloniki) last January.

The monastery was very quiet, and I only got to see one monk in the whole place! I later discovered that there is a restricted area where the monks live and work, which is not accessible to visitors. So, I guess they were all busy at the time! Apparently, they have many talents. They create icons, woodcraft, incense, candles and also pass the time gardening, binding books, tending to bees and even making cheese!

It is no surprise, therefore, that their gift shop, situated near the entrance, is one of the most interesting I have ever seen in a monastery, offering a wealth of different kinds of merchandise, including incense in various heavenly aromas, dried herbs, and, yes, cheeses too, and other delicatessen items. I came out carring bags of various lovely things, and I only wish they had an e-shop so I can restock 🙂

There were various buildings to admire as we walked around, with the operational church being by far the most prominent structure. The decoration inside, and the large icons of Jesus and the Virgin Mary before the templon were impressive.

In a small chapel inside the church on the right side, there is also a big icon of St Dionysios.

The monastery had beautiful greenery and pots with vibrant flowers, making it a pleasure to photograph. We ambled here and there, listening to birdsong, being surrounded by forestland. The only people were those in our coach group. Both times, the experience was the same, and just as enchanting.

Going up some steps, we visited the museum that is housed in a small building, manned by one monk, who sat near the entrance at a desk, screens before him, surveilling all the different spaces via cameras. It was an odd sight, and quite a striking contrast, to see a monk handling the high technology of today, but that was soon forgotten, once I ventured further inside where I got to marvel at the religious artifacts and the relics on display.

Truly, never before, had I seen so many housed in one place.

The artifacts were intricate, so beautiful and impressive, and the holy relics were more than I could imagine I would ever see – all belonging to various saints and even apostles.

It was forbidden to take photographs in there but you can see some of the artifacts on this page of the monastery’s website.

The monastery was founded in 1950 after the destruction of the original monastery by the Germans in 1943 at a different location, in the gorge of Enipeas river. The ruins still stand today. St Dionysios had built the original fortified monastery in 1542.

During his life, the saint lived in many different caves on Mt Olympus. His holy relic lies today in a grave inside one of those caves, and there is also a spring with holy water. According to the monastery, to this date, the miracles the saint performs continue as he answers the prayers of the faithful…

GO HERE to see all my photos from the monastery.

Litochoro was stunning… Beauty everywhere…

Hard to believe that a town so near Mt Olympus is also near the sea!

I never got to see its coast, but during my visits there I had a good wander around and encountered the beauty of nature in all its glory. Majestic snowcapped mountain peaks, tall forest trees, a river, and even a large reservoir awaited me there, all gleaming under the glorious sunlight.

At the main car park where our coach left us, there is a paved path that leads to lower ground.

It led us to Enipeas river, after just a couple minutes’ walk. At its bank, visitors can enjoy food and drink at two quaint cafes as well as a restaurant run by a coop of the local women of the town.

It was a beautiful place to walk around in and enjoy the beauty of nature.

But that wasn’t all. We also found a stunning park next to the town’s maritime museum, just a stone’s throw away from the car park.

It had a large body of water that made it really special. Apparently, this vast reservoir is not for swimming, hence it’s fenced all around. The water is used for irrigation purposes.

Edged by forest trees, the park was the perfect place to sit on a bench after a slap up meal, listen to the chirping birds and gaze at Mt Olympus. Its peaks were snowcapped, a marvel to behold.

I felt really envious of the locals. City folk may feel blessed enough if they can sit at a park in their town with a fountain nearby, gazing at a few trees. The people of Litochoro have a large reservoir at the center of this massive green space, and the majestic Mt Olympus, no less, to rest their eyes upon. Truly fortunate folk!

Wow, right?

As I stated earlier, I visited Litochoro twice in the recent months. I plan to return to Macedonia again and again (many places I’ve always wanted to see over there!) and as Litochoro offers a well-timed stopover for lunch on the way back to Athens I look forward to stopping by there again, half a chance I get.

If you happen to be in the area, do not miss the chance to discover it too. The people are hospitable, and the food on offer at the restaurants makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

We went to the restaurant ‘Hairi’ on the roundabout the first time (you’ll see it all decorated for the holidays in the photographs). It’s at the end of the uphill road that you get to if you turn right from the car park. A short walk away of less than 5 minutes. Well, it depends on how hungry you are, I guess, LOL

The second time, we went to the restaurant ‘Ta Mezedakia’ that is situated right at the edge of the car park. It’s very popular, so if you want to go there, don’t go wandering first and leave it for later. As we sat at its tiny balcony, there were people standing on the other side of the railing on the street, waiting for us to finish so they could come sit. There is a large seating area inside and it was all packed!

I combined both visits into one set of photographs, and I included ones of both the restaurant buildings. This way you can go straight to them if you’re ever there. Either of them will satisfy you if you have a serious case of the munchies like we did LOL

GO HERE to see all my photos from Litochoro.

 

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