Sailing (Greek Islands) / Athens / Meteora / Kavalla / Gallipoli

Hi sports fans,

We hope all is well, sorry its been a while but the internet has been hard to come by!!

After we left last time we headed for Bari to board the overnight ferry to Greece. The evening was spent drinking, playing cards, and eating plates of spaghetti bolognaise that were big enough to feed an army!! Once we were on Greek soil we headed for Plataria, which is where the sailboats that were to be our homes for the next 3 days were moored. Our boat, named Sucha, had a crew of 5.... Captain Shanan, 1st mate Renee.....and the 3 Korean girls on our tour that could speak very little english, and who could not swim without floatation devices....mmmmmm.

We were a little sceptical at what the next 3 days might hold for us, but after some advice and lessons from Adam the Flotilla skipper we were on our way!! Team Korea turned out to be something of a surprise to say the least.... everytime the sails needed raising or taking down they were all over it like the fat kid on a cupcake!! Their English was not as bad as we thought...and they had enough floaties to raise the Titanic, so all was well!!

After 5 or so hours sailing around the islands with more than a couple of swim stops, we pulled into port for our first overnight stop at a place called Petriti. We spent the evening eating, drinking, and enjoying some local zorba dancing. We all gave it a go before deciding to sit back and leave it to the experts!! We retired to our dear vessel for a well earned nights rest, and the next morning we were back on the sea. There was not much wind on day 2 so most of the day was spent pottering around under engine power looking for the best spots to drop anchor and get in the water. In the early evening we pulled into our stop for night 2, a place called Sivota. While Renee was showering I went to check out the menu at the place that we were dining that evening. While I was doing so the gentleman from inside the establishment came out to have a chat...the conversation went something like this:

Greek man: Hello, I would like to ask you a strange question.

Me: Ummm, ok.

Greek man: Can I please buy your shirt from you? (I was wearing my All Blacks polo)

Me: Ummm, why?

Greek man: Because I desperately want one and I cannot find one anywhere, much did you pay for it?

Me: I paid NZ$80, which is about 40 euros

Greek man: I will give you 40 euros for it right now.

Me: Sold!!!

I was not actually that keen to sell it, but I figured that I can buy another one when I get home, and being world cup year I guess we can do with all the support we can get!!

So after my transaction was done, we headed off for dinner and cocktails, then had a reasonably early night. The next day was when things really got interesting. Long gone were the calm seas of the day before. They had been replaced by force 6 winds and a sea that was chucking poor Sucha round like a rag doll!! Even though there was not an experienced sailor to be seen on board our ship, we managed to survive! (in first place behind the lead boat I might add) It was very apparent that team Korea were scared out of their minds, and Arnoux was experiencing a rather unfriendly visit from the seasickness fairies, but we toughed it out and made it back to shore, hurray for us!!! I have never been so happy to get my feet back on solid ground.... a sentiment largely echoed by the group. But hey, thats what we're here for right? We spent that night again on our beloved Sucha back at the port we had started from, before bidding her a fond fairwell in the morning.

From there we hit the road bound for Athens. On the way we made a stop off at the Corinth Canal, where 3 of our brave tour mates decided it would be a good idea to bungy jump off one of the bridges. It was late evening by the time we arrived so after another top notch dinner from our trusty cook Marissa we headed to our tent.

The next morning started with a walking tour with Robbie that took in such sites as the ancient Olympis stadium, and Hadrians Arch. From there it was off to explore the Acropolis.... sadly when we got there we were advised that due to a strike, the place was closed, as was any museum or other attraction that we might wish to visit....bummer!!! Oh well, I guess these things are bound to happen. So Arnoux, myself, and our 2 travel buddies for the day Nikki and Bianca hit the streets to do some souvenir shopping. We thought it would be a good oppourtunity to update the website, but when we discovered that the 'super fast' internet in Athens is actually more like 56k dial up, we thought again.

Did you know: You are allowed to smoke in McDonalds in Athens. We had lunch there at Nikkis request and there were people sparking up left, right and centre. There were even little ashtrays with the M in the bottom.... we took one as a keepsake.

Soon we ran out of stores to investigate, so we headed back to the campsite for a swim and a few drinks. Stuart, we have a new contender for beer of the trip too, a Greek beer called Mythos, very cheap and very very smooth, especially when its cold and served in a frozen glass!!

The next morning we were back on the road and headed for a small town called Meteora, the home of the hilltop monastaries. We had the afternoon to explore these marvellous buildings that defy even modern standards of architecture...even though they were built in the 1400's. The evening was again spent in the pool with a beer close by, before dinner, a few more drinks, and a game of 500 that lasted well into the early morning. (I have found 3 other tourmates that love the game as I do, so we spent a lot of evenings entertaining ourselves in this manner)

The next day we were back on the road for the drive to the campsite in Kavalla. I say campsite in the loosest tense, as this place was more like a 5 star resort, with its own private beach, loungers galore, 3 bars, a pool, a nightclub etc etc..... as well as the now infamous iceberg climbing mountain situated about 30 metres offshore. Sadly we were only spending one night there...we shall have to mention something about that in the questionaire at the end of the trip. It was even worse for our beloved driver Jimmy...as he had to leave behind his newfound love after just one evening of romancing her..... sigh. I did, however, take the oppourtunity to spend the one night we had there sleeping on the beach...very nice!!

The disappointment at leaving Kavalla was quickly replaced the next morning with the excitement at the fact that we were heading for Gallipoli!!! We crossed the Turkish border with very little fuss, and 2 more stamps in our passports (with all this EU lovey dovey crap thats going on these days, stamps in the passports are like hens teeth!!) and headed for ANZAC cove. When we arrived we met up with our local guide Barish, and spent the next 4 hours exploring the sites of one of the most significant pieces of NZ history. To say it was exciting would be a bit off the mark. It was more surreal than anything. What was even more breathtaking was the way it as been maintained, the Turks really treasure the memories of this place as much as we Kiwis and Aussies do, and the respect and love that they have for the ANZAC troops that gave their lives on that beach and in those hills is enough to bring more than one tear to your eye. The mood in the group after that experience was, well, not sombre, but respectfull I guess, so we headed back to camp, had dinner, and then each member of the group spent the evening reflecting in their own personal way. My way was a quick dip in the nearby ocean.... and on the way I discovered an inlet that had literally hundreds and hundreds of turtles in it... so no need for anyone to guess where Arnoux spent the rest of her free time..... both that night, and this morning!!

This morning we were back on the coach for the drive to Istanbul. Once we had checked into our hotel....(thats right, I said hotel.... no tents for us for the next 3 nights, we're livin like kings!!!), we headed off with Robbie to check out the spice bazar, home of the 1 Lire kebabs, and turkish delight!! Mum, you will be gald to know that I picked up half a kilo of Turkys best delights, and I will think of you while I enjoy each and every piece!!! Yummy!!!

We have the next 3 nights here in Istanbul.... so our Turkish adventures are TBC..........