Northern Turkey and Greece
Built up northern coastline of Turkey next to the Black Sea.
28 June 2016
Although we were camped only a few kilometres from the Georgia/Turkish border we doubted that we could get through even if there was an official border crossing. So we retraced our steps back through the mountains and towards Batumi to cross into Turkey next to the Black Sea.
Great road in Turkey and great views as the road hugged the Black Sea coast for hundreds of kilometres. It was built up on the small strip of flat land and into the hills most of the way.
Overnight camp on the beach where a local family passing by gave us takeaway they had just bought. Very kind. There was plastic rubbish on the beach but I am not sure if it was due to the prevailing winds across the Sea or passers by. Pretty spot otherwise.
Although we were camped only a few kilometres from the Georgia/Turkish border we doubted that we could get through even if there was an official border crossing. So we retraced our steps back through the mountains and towards Batumi to cross into Turkey next to the Black Sea.
Great road in Turkey and great views as the road hugged the Black Sea coast for hundreds of kilometres. It was built up on the small strip of flat land and into the hills most of the way.
Overnight camp on the beach where a local family passing by gave us takeaway they had just bought. Very kind. There was plastic rubbish on the beach but I am not sure if it was due to the prevailing winds across the Sea or passers by. Pretty spot otherwise.
Turkish eastern Black Sea coast.
29 June
Continued west and inland to Safranbolu which is noted for its Ottoman architecture built during the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. There are also saffron fields in the area but they are not planted until August-September and then harvested in November. The other specialty is their Turkish delight which is lighter tasting and not as sweet as other Turkish delight.
Continued west and inland to Safranbolu which is noted for its Ottoman architecture built during the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. There are also saffron fields in the area but they are not planted until August-September and then harvested in November. The other specialty is their Turkish delight which is lighter tasting and not as sweet as other Turkish delight.
Amazing french students hitch hiking from Indonesia.
30 June
After wandering around the old Ottoman part of town we met some happy, young french backpackers having breakfast. Later on we saw them on the road hitchhiking and decided to pick them up. They had left Indonesia 6 months earlier, hitching from Indonesia to Istanbul, all still full of enthusiasm and all still friends.
We dropped them off at a service station close to Istanbul where they quickly got a lift with someone going closer to their destination than we were.
After wandering around the old Ottoman part of town we met some happy, young french backpackers having breakfast. Later on we saw them on the road hitchhiking and decided to pick them up. They had left Indonesia 6 months earlier, hitching from Indonesia to Istanbul, all still full of enthusiasm and all still friends.
We dropped them off at a service station close to Istanbul where they quickly got a lift with someone going closer to their destination than we were.
The best Turkish delight I have ever tasted.
I bought this Turkish delight on our last full day in Turkey. Among the secret ingredients were pistacios, rose petals and a hint of coconut. The taste was sensational. I had to take this photo before it was all gone.
Crossing the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe at Istanbul, during peak hour.
We drove on to battle peak hour traffic in Istanbul. We took the most northerly bridge between Asia and Europe, hoping to stay as far away as possible from the centre of the massive city. It took us about two hours before we came out the other side. Then we had to drive for about another hour before we were in a country area where we found a disused, overgrown shop for sale. We parked in the driveway. It was already dark.
Fields of sunflowers in western Turkey.
Greece
1, 2 July Alexandroupolis
We had an early start and had intended spending one more day in Turkey. But the beaches of Greece were beckoning. We headed for the border.
Uneventful, slow border crossing to Greece. I thought the delays might be due to thorough ckecks but I think it was staff shortages on both the Turkish and Greek sides. No checks were done on the camper and we saw motorcyclists push in front of us and go through without removing their helmets or sunglasses.
We enjoyed two nights at Alexandroupolis, swimming and relaxing after many long driving days. Even forgot to take photos.
We had an early start and had intended spending one more day in Turkey. But the beaches of Greece were beckoning. We headed for the border.
Uneventful, slow border crossing to Greece. I thought the delays might be due to thorough ckecks but I think it was staff shortages on both the Turkish and Greek sides. No checks were done on the camper and we saw motorcyclists push in front of us and go through without removing their helmets or sunglasses.
We enjoyed two nights at Alexandroupolis, swimming and relaxing after many long driving days. Even forgot to take photos.
3, 4, 5 July
Beachside at Areti camping.
Beachside at Areti camping.
6, 7 July Thessaloniki
We needed to get some holes on the roof from the old solar cells refibreglassed. From last year we knew there were some caravan builders on the outskirts of Thessaloniki who may be able to do the job. It was only 120 kms away and so we drove up there.
They seemed disorganised at first but they started the job that afternoon and there were camping facilities on the premises. Unfortunately there was rain during the night and Guy had to get on the roof to cover the holes. But the locker catch jammed so he couldn't use the ladder to get up. No fun. At least he didn't slip and hurt his ribs like last year.
The roof job was finished the next morning while we caught the ferry in to Thessaloniki to look around on our bikes.
We needed to get some holes on the roof from the old solar cells refibreglassed. From last year we knew there were some caravan builders on the outskirts of Thessaloniki who may be able to do the job. It was only 120 kms away and so we drove up there.
They seemed disorganised at first but they started the job that afternoon and there were camping facilities on the premises. Unfortunately there was rain during the night and Guy had to get on the roof to cover the holes. But the locker catch jammed so he couldn't use the ladder to get up. No fun. At least he didn't slip and hurt his ribs like last year.
The roof job was finished the next morning while we caught the ferry in to Thessaloniki to look around on our bikes.
8, 9 July Delphi
We left Thessaloniki and headed south towards Delphi. Firstly on some rather expensive motorways which charge according to height (>2.2 meteres). We passed Mt Olympus and stopped nearby for a break at a pebble beach where various accommodation had staked out their sections for umbrellas and stretchers. A beach vendor patrolled the beach with a tray of pastries.
A pretty drive followed on the secondary roads through to Delphi.
It had been a long, hot day and the pool with a view at the camp with a view was most welcome. We had to stay 2 nights here!
We left Thessaloniki and headed south towards Delphi. Firstly on some rather expensive motorways which charge according to height (>2.2 meteres). We passed Mt Olympus and stopped nearby for a break at a pebble beach where various accommodation had staked out their sections for umbrellas and stretchers. A beach vendor patrolled the beach with a tray of pastries.
A pretty drive followed on the secondary roads through to Delphi.
It had been a long, hot day and the pool with a view at the camp with a view was most welcome. We had to stay 2 nights here!
We drove along the very winding road to the Delphi archaelogical site which was less than 4 kms away. Many young American tourists but the site is large.
We entered on the Sacred Way, passing various treasuries which would have held offerings to Aplollo, then past the Temple of Apollo, up past the theatre and then even higher up to the stadium. After walking down from the stadium we went to the museum with its spoils.
After that we enjoyed lunch in the village of Delphi and then to camp for a swim. The weather was very hot and dry.
We entered on the Sacred Way, passing various treasuries which would have held offerings to Aplollo, then past the Temple of Apollo, up past the theatre and then even higher up to the stadium. After walking down from the stadium we went to the museum with its spoils.
After that we enjoyed lunch in the village of Delphi and then to camp for a swim. The weather was very hot and dry.
Looking over the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
Buried in an earthquake of 373 BC, the life size bronze Charioteer sculpter was saved from plunder, being melted down and other damage until it was uncovered in 1896.
10, 11 July Athens
Only a couple of hours drive away was Athens. It was very hot as was the campsite which was close to the city centre.
We only had one full day in Athens and so we went straight to the Acropolis, not quite beating the crowds.
Only a couple of hours drive away was Athens. It was very hot as was the campsite which was close to the city centre.
We only had one full day in Athens and so we went straight to the Acropolis, not quite beating the crowds.
Corinth Canal
12 July Epidaurus
An early departure as we headed south to cross the Corinth Canal which is only 21.4m at the base, making it impassable for most modern ships. It was completed in 1893 and no locks are required in its 6.4km length.
We continued on our way to Epidaurus. Yes more greek ruins. It was becoming too much for Guy as he opted to work on the truck this time around while I wandered through.
The asclepeion, healing temple, of Epidaurus was the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical world. As it prospered many buildings were added including the theatre in the 4th century BC. It was extended in Roman times. The theatre has near perfect accoustics and is used for concerts once again. When I was there a group of french people were doing a short play to test the accoustics. I was up the back and could hear them quite clearly although I had no idea what they were saying.
An early departure as we headed south to cross the Corinth Canal which is only 21.4m at the base, making it impassable for most modern ships. It was completed in 1893 and no locks are required in its 6.4km length.
We continued on our way to Epidaurus. Yes more greek ruins. It was becoming too much for Guy as he opted to work on the truck this time around while I wandered through.
The asclepeion, healing temple, of Epidaurus was the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical world. As it prospered many buildings were added including the theatre in the 4th century BC. It was extended in Roman times. The theatre has near perfect accoustics and is used for concerts once again. When I was there a group of french people were doing a short play to test the accoustics. I was up the back and could hear them quite clearly although I had no idea what they were saying.
Theatre at Epidaurus
We had a pleasant beachside camp and met up with Rob and Robyn for the night.
13 July
A day of driving along some scenic mountainous roads with vineyards, plantations of olive and citrus trees on the flatter areas.
A day of driving along some scenic mountainous roads with vineyards, plantations of olive and citrus trees on the flatter areas.
14 July
More ruins. This time we went to Olympia in the Peloponnese, the site of the original Olympic Games founded in the 8th century B.C. and continuing to the 4th century AD. They were held in honour of Zeus. Its ruins include athletic training and treatment areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to Zeus. The archaeologists still have lots of work to do.
More ruins. This time we went to Olympia in the Peloponnese, the site of the original Olympic Games founded in the 8th century B.C. and continuing to the 4th century AD. They were held in honour of Zeus. Its ruins include athletic training and treatment areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to Zeus. The archaeologists still have lots of work to do.
The west pediment of the temple of Zeus: Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs.
After Olympia and its museum we wandered into town where we found the Archimedes Museum. Although the museum was small it was well laid out with good descriptions and working models.
In the afternoon we drove to Patras to board the overnight ferry to Bari in Italy. Our 'camping on board' ticket allowed us to sleep in the camper where we had a view to the water.
Next stop Italy.
Next stop Italy.
