The vast majority of the Foma 2023 pathclearing team (36 pilgrims) arrived in Ouranoupolis, Greece from London by plane. The flight was quite delayed so it was a short night for these pilgrims.
The Dutch delegation (Bas, my brother Wim and I)
had already arrived in Ouranoupolis a day earlier and had time to fully enjoy the sun and the tavernas.
On the morning of departure for the Holy Mountain, all pilgrims gathered at the Pilgrim Office. It was not necessary for everyone to report individually to the counter. We were provided with a diamonitirion for the entire group.
Everyone took a photo of the document that gave us access to the Holy Mountain. We left by boat at 10am. Along the way we took group photos and had further introductions.
It had already been made clear that all three of us would be housed in different monasteries, namely Vatopedi, Sografou and Dionysiou. From these monasteries we would maintain the paths in the immediate area for a week.
My brother Wim said goodbye at the port of Sografou. The members of the Dionysiou team (Bart, Tjeu, Jan, Peter and Herman) took another boat in Dafni to the monastery on the rocks.
Herman Voogd