Tuesday 16 July 2013
Looking at the overall map of Greece it has come as a surprise
to calculate that in just over 2 weeks we have clocked up nearly 1000 miles. It’s
been such an easy trip.
Some days we haven’t moved an inch, other days we might have
driven less than 20 miles further down the coast and found another idyllic bay.
Greece has been a bit of an eye opener – we weren’t sure what to expect really.
The outside media portrays a country in deep recession with a population
struggling to make ends meet. Our own memories are of cruising the busy but barren
Greek islands in the 80’s. Outwardly life goes on here quite normally.
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Fish restaurant in Cherefto |
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Fishing nets at Makri |
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Sunset at Toroni - Halkidiki |
We have been captivated by the beautiful lush countryside,
the picturesque coastline, the spotlessly clean sea, the miles of sandy beaches
and the friendliness of the people. We were worried by the ‘Wild camping is
forbidden’ notices and expected it to be a problem as we hit high season but
the country is huge, the population well dispersed and there’s very little in
the way of mass tourism on the mainland.
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Sarti - Halkidiki |
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Lambinou cove on Pelion Peninsula |
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Lush gorges on Penion Peninsula |
The weather has thrown a few curve balls with some
spectacular storms, the occasional overcast and rainy days and some very high
temperatures, all adding variety to the trip.
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Storm watching from Agiokampos beach |
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Sunset at Porto Germeno |
It’s quirky and different to other countries we’ve been
through to date, wanting to be modern but still hanging onto its traditions.
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Nea Kalikratia |
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Evening stroll in Alexandroupoli |
It’s very much a cash society - credit and debit cards are rarely seen or
used. Whenever I have tried to pay by card for shopping it means me having to traipse
over to the supervisors desk and plenty of head scratching whilst they try and
remember how to use the EPOS machine. Can you imagine that in Sainsbury’s on a busy
Saturday morning? There are notices everywhere saying you don’t have to pay
unless you get a receipt! And don’t even think about trying to buy petrol on a
card. I handed the attendant a €50 note which he added to a huge wad in his
pocket – I’m guessing he had about €3000 in cash all neatly folded up and in
the correct denomination order. I got no
receipt from him strangely!
The only thing that has been a disappointment has been the
ancient ruins – over priced, over protected and mostly underwhelming. Some are
just foundations, some are predominantly concrete reconstructions and some are
closed for renovations that have stalled. We’ve been spoilt in Turkey.
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Foundations at ancient Olynthos |
Driving around has been challenging – although we think we have
now worked out how to avoid the motorways. The road signs are in Greek lettering
first and Roman lettering second, normally right on the junction you need to
turn off at resulting in lots of ‘U’ turns. Most road signs are completely illegible
anyway with graffiti being a huge problem everywhere on buildings and signposts
– most of it ugly with a few exceptions.
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Derelict buildings in Volos |
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Graffiti in Nea Anchilos |
We’ve found plenty to laugh about including the van
overloaded with topiary trees, the beach sellers in Asprovalta and
the lazy cricket hitching a ride on the wiper blade. In a tiny village on the
Pelion Peninsula we had to stop for about 10 minutes whilst two old boys, the
driver of a bashed up vehicle and a local, chatted in the middle of the narrow road. A
polite toot from Dave after 5 minutes waiting brought glances but no movement.
The driver then got out of his pick-up, staggered to the bakery to get some bread,
gave us a look and drove off. A modern country with a twist just like the
topiary trees!
Tomorrow we cross the Corinth Canal and see what the Peloponnese has to offer.
I'm sure you're having a ball but believe me, it's wonderful to travel vicariously too. You've captured the beauty of Greece - and the less than perfect bits are very much like parts of Andalucia where we are based. Whilst it's a shame you aren't so impressed with the ruins (I thought your Delphi photos were wonderful) it says a lot for Turkey and what there is to find there.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next part of 'our' journey!
Axxx
Thanks Annie - in a few weeks we shall start heading for 'home' and work out what to do next with our lives. We try not to let the grass grow under our feet, plenty more to see and do, just need to earn a bit more money to make it possible. We sailed along the southern coast of Spain and around the Balearics in the mid 80's - fond memories of that trip too.
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