One week in Greece

day 1: The Roadtrip

We left Bucharest on Sunday at around 8 AM and incredibly, but in less than 15 minutes we were already out of town, on the road to Giurgiu. We make the first stop somewhere before customs, for food, bought snacks and other nonsense. We cross the bridge of friendship between Romania and Bulgaria, over 2km long. Somewhere on the right side after crossing the river, is the town of Ruse, the main port on the Danube for Bulgarians. Among the Romanians, it is famous as a city of supply in terms of food, drink and electronics. After all, another city in which the “gray” specific to the former communist countries dominates remains.

It is the first time I walk on Bulgarian soil and it seemed to me at least a dubious country. First of all, we see the cruel poverty in which the people here live. Even though we drove very little on a so-called highway, I did not encounter any human settlements at all, and those attempts at settlements seemed to me to have taken place somewhere about 60-70 years ago.

Finally, we pass Pleven and reach Sofia. The capital of Bulgaria is famous as the capital located at the highest altitude in Europe. But all we saw were lights, somewhere in the distance, on some hills. Maybe it would have impressed me, but I’ll leave it at another time.

Somewhere in the morning we cross the border and arrive in Greece. I really liked the gorges in northeastern Greece, and the sunrise helped create an at least interesting landscape. Too bad I couldn’t stop so I missed some good shots to put in my collection.

The first stop in Greece was in Thessaloniki. Ugly city. Boring, dull, dirty, uninteresting. The only thing that caught my attention was the multitude of antennas on the blocks, but also the houses separated by tiny streets that meander through the green hills of olive trees. Otherwise, nothing special.

After another 100 or so km we reach the final destination: Nei Pori. I understand that it is the newest area on the Olympus Riviera, modern and clean. I liked that the same architectural style was preserved. I mean, okay. we are building, but at least we are building with our heads, not like Romanians, a 15-storey hotel, surrounded by garbage and mud, and at 200 meters there is a red villa with 2 floors, a little further about 3 houses ready to fall, to which are added streets full of potholes, etc. and so on. Yes, that’s Bucharest, our lovely city.

Accommodation is OK, consistent food, clean beach, clear water. So far so good. In the evening we signed up for 3 very promising trips: Meteora, Skiathos and Mount Olympus. It’s 1:55 AM and I hope to fall asleep that at 6:00 AM I want to photograph the sunrise. Talk to you later. Photos soon on flickr;)

day 2: Nei Pori

We didn’t make any plans for today, so all our activities took place on the beach in Nei Pori: from the beach for a few hours (wich is boring) to bathing in crystal clear water, volleyball. and other stuff.

day 3: The Cities

The 3rd day was reserved for cities on the continent. First on the list: Volos. A port city located in the east of the continent about 300 km away from Athens. Only now have we begun to appreciate the sea breeze. The farther we went from the sea, wandering through the narrow streets of the city, the stronger we felt the rays of the sun melting us. Another interesting city, located closer to the center of the continent is Lariasa. Here I liked the streets full of dates, lemons, figs, leandri, aloe bushes, laurels. Together they released a scent that perfectly matched the holiday atmosphere in our souls.

day 4: Skiathos

Today I sailed for over 6 hours, danced to traditional Greek music, drank and bathed in the crystal clear waters around the island.

day 5: Meteora

If yesterday was the day dedicated to fun, today we focus more on our souls, the spiritual part. We visit the monasteries in Metora. A special phenomenon of nature.

day 6: Athens

Today is one of the most important days of my short holiday in Greece. I will visit Athens: the city of the gods. Shortly after midnight I take the train, and in 5-6 hours I will walk on the deserted, quiet and scary places of the city. Around 9 in the morning I go up the Acropolis. The feeling you experience here is unique. First of all, the city is huge. It stretches far to the horizon. The houses are very small and white-gray, you have the impression that you are surrounded by an infinity of stones. In some places a Byzantine church was built, making a discordant note with the landscape.

Other attractions worth visiting are the Archaeological Museum, the National History Museum and the National Galleries.

Even if on the surface, the city has a gray-dirty appearance, the subway is well maintained. Almost in each station has an archeological object or various works of modern art and more.

The port of Piraeus is the largest port I have ever seen and the ferry boats are huge. I spent 3 hours here. I felt the need for the refreshing sea breeze. Watching the ships come and go, I thought how many souls leave their home, family and friends with sadness or, on the contrary, come home happy.

Late at night I take the train to Nei Pori, and in the morning I leave for Mount Olympus.

day 7: Mount Olympus

In the morning around 9 o’clock we get on the bus and climb the mountain of Zeus. We are all eager to see the famous tub of Zeus. We make the first stop at an altitude of 950m, from where you can see almost the entire province of Pireria. After a short hike on the mountain we reach the bathtub: an accumulation lake with an extraordinary transparency. Around 3 we return to the resort, and after a healthy sleep on the beach we admire the sunset on the Greek lands.

day 8: Going home

We sleep all the way back.