Greece - Kavala & Aegean

For three days, we've been travelling through mainland Greece, heading toward Turkey. Each day, the temperature rises. And each day, my fondness for the people of Greece grows, they continually show their warmth and kindness.

It's so much more relaxing travelling through Greece than it was in Morocco two weeks ago. A notable difference is that in Morocco, many people are eager to put their hand in your pocket and take what they could. In Greece, you feel like putting your own hand in your pocket to thank people for all they’ve done.

People talk to us in shops, at the roadside when they see the bikes, and even wind down their windows at traffic lights to chat when they spot the foreign reg plates. As one van driver said at a junction: “We’re great people, but the government is fcked.”

Today, like the others, was hot and picturesque. We covered 300 km, stopping every 100 km or so for a break.

A vivid tapestry of colours displayed in  buildings and nature accompanying us along the way.

Kavala, further east along the coast than Thessaloniki, is a town much more to our liking. Smaller than Thessaloniki but rich with history, restaurants, shops, and character.

Still, we rolled on, always aware that distance had to be covered. Time on the bike is taking a toll on Sarah, her back and shoulders ache more each day. Our trusty steeds, on the other hand, are thankfully in good health.

We agreed Gyros were the culinary treasure we were after, but we were hunting for the right place. “Eat at the places with plastic chairs,” goes the philosophy, attributed to Anthony Bourdain and recently shared with me by Jason on our last trip.

That philosophy paid off and we ate like kings with a delicous banquet for €10.

Our home tonight is ‘Camping Natura’, which has its own beach. The water, warm and clear like a baby’s bath, washed away the dust of the day.

 The mosquitoes, however, were as ravenous as they were plentiful. The swarm convinced us to call it an early night. No bad thing, a big day tomorrow with a border crossing at the end.