Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Hot Springs of Kamena Vourla

Just got back from Kamena Vourla, a small town "an hour and a half" north of Athens that was suggested to me by CYA's librarian, Aleko. What an interesting experience. 11 of us went to experience the therapeutic natural hot springs that the area offers. After a 2.5 hour bus ride we walked around a near deserted summer town looking for somewhere to stay. Luckily for us we found hotel ευσταθιον for a whopping €25 a night.

Although it may not have been the most beautiful hotel you've ever seen (and by that I mean a step up from disgusting), hotel ευσταθιον had one VERY redeeming quality, γιαγιά (Greek for grandmother.) Even though she spoke zero English (her grown son was able to help us check in and tell us about the area) she was amazing. She spoke to us as if we understood everything she was saying and gave us all kisses. She told us that she had 10 new children (counting proved to be a bit of a problem) and was incredibly hospitable. We filled their hotel on a night that they should have had no guests.

After a night of delicious food and a lot of fun we were off to the hot springs. I'm not sure exactly what we were expecting, but we were surprised to find that after a 4 km walk the hot springs were actually cement pools in the middle of a trash heap right on the highway (and they smelled like sulfur). Even though at first all we could do was laugh, once we all got in and started to relax it was actually really really nice. The water was oily and made our skin and hair feel amazing.

Even though the weekend proved to be anything but glamorous, it was a ton of fun and was so nice to go somewhere new. Although I may never return to Kamena Vourla, I will always think of it fondly and laugh at our adventure.


First view off the bus.


Roof guard dog?


Home sweet home.


The boys and γιαγιά.


Gorgeous with the snow on the mountain.





The creepiest thing I have ever seen. On our walk to the hot springs...



James. What better way to spend your 21st than at the hot springs?


You thought I was kidding.


Carnival rides?


Emily and Maddy trying out the water.

1 comment:

  1. Did you get in that water? did you think it was the Greenbrier?

    ReplyDelete