The day started with a little drizzle. The forecast did say there would be a possibility of snow – whatever happens, I’ve come prepared with a waterproof coat and plenty of layers so I’m sorted for ‘most’ eventualities. Autopilot took me straight towards the river. By now I’ve been up and down its length many…
Bloody hell – what a last couple of days they have been! The day after my little ‘episode’ I awoke with a bruised arm and chest and a lump on my head. I had no idea that I’d hit my head when I passed out but I’d probably bashed it on the edge of the…
Despite my exhaustion, sleep was very fractured. You know when people say obstreperous toddlers won’t sleep because they’re over-tired. I think this was me. According to my Fitbit, I did fall into some kind of deep sleep before dawn. At around 0930 I was rudely awakened by my phone ringing off the hook. It was…
Yes, the journey. Having made it to my first destination of the trip, I can look back and say that it was quite the journey. Had I not been recovering from a nasty virus I could have easily taken this in my stride but in hindsight, I should have broken this journey up. At this…
4 week itinerary – This Northern Greece Carnival itinerary covers Florina, Edessa, Thessaloniki and Sochos by bus and train. Experience authentic Greek carnival traditions including the extraordinary Koudounophoroi bell-wearers of Sochos, Edessa’s spectacular waterfalls, Naoussa’s Genitsaroi carnival, and the thermal springs of Loutra Pozar. Best time: February-March. No car rental needed.
Towards the end of my stay, there was a definite sense of seasonal endings. When Alexandros Taverna ‘shut up shop’ this felt like the catalyst for that sense of closure. Although other tavernas were still open, Alexandros felt like the beating heart of Lakka which is a testament to the incredible family that runs it….
My six nights on Paxos was nearly at an end. Before I headed back to Corfu I really wanted to visit Antipaxos. It would be ridiculous to get so close and not make it. Thankfully I’d found a boat that would enable me to visit Antipaxos for the day – not a tour boat to…
Lakka has some fairly easy and yet interesting walking routes most of which I stumbled across with a little assistance from Google Maps. One circular walk that I did a couple of times started in the square of Lakka and followed what I called the western road (pink) as opposed to the eastern road (yellow)…
Today, Jackie (who I met at the port) and I have made plans to spend the day in Gaios. We’ve decided to put our faith in the local bus service again (despite yesterday’s experience) and we waited at the square in anticipation. The timetable was still pinned to the notice board which gave us a…
I threw the balcony doors open to be greeted by a bright beautiful morning and the smell of freshly baked bread. The sweet heady aroma wafted its way up from Robolas Bakery which sits just below my balcony – what better alarm clock! A couple of locals were already sitting outside drinking from steaming cups…
I was in a bit of a quandary of where to go after leaving Ioannina. I’d now booked my flight home from Corfu so it made sense to head back in that direction. I don’t think day trips ever give you a real sense of a place so I decided to go back to Paxos….
The time finally came to bid a fond farewell to Ioannina and it was a wrench! It was a bucket list item for ten years and after finally making it, it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it far exceeded my expectations – whatever they may have been. As much as I adore the islands, I found…
