1986 - Europe by double decker bus (Part 3 - Greece)

Thursday 22 May - We arrived in Corfu at 7:45 am. The bus was thoroughly searched by Greek Customs with everything pulled out and thrown around. The camp site at Ipsos was right next to beach. A lazy afternoon on the beach and at the camp site. We had a traditional Greek meal at camp site, very nice.

The beach at Ipsos.

Friday 23 May - Up early to get yachts for the next few days. We motored out of harbour and raised sails to prove that we could do it. Lunch at Kalami, dinner at Stefanos, a tiny village with one taverna. Albania about 2.5km over water and (back in 1986) are not known for their friendliness.

Our fleet of Pelagos, Christina and Kea.

Saturday 24 May - Sailed, well motored, to Kassiopi. The girls went shopping while we sailed around the area. Lots of tourists, bars, restaurants and discos. A nice dinner in town, followed by drinks and disco.

The Kea.

The town of Kassiopi.

Sunday 25 May - More sailing, or trying to as not much wind. Same bar, restaurant and disco as previous night.

Monday 26 May - Motored from Kassiopi to Corfu town (no wind again). There are lots of beautiful bays around the area. Corfu town is interesting and another traditional Greek meal of hamburger and chips.

Corfu town.

Tuesday 27 May - Motored back from Corfu town to Gouvia. Cleaned and tidied boats. Back to the camp site for clean up and shower. Another sangria party and another disco.

Wednesday 28 May - An early start to catch the ferry from Corfu to Patras. We had to leave two guys behind as they had not made it back to camp in time from the night before. Arrived Patras at 6:00 pm and we drove to Mycenae with dinner on side of road.

The SS Castilia ferry heading for Patras.

Thursday 29 May - A busy day, as we visited ruins at Mycenae. Very impressive. Next we drove to Epidavros to visit a huge amphitheatre built into the side of a hill. After lunch, drove to Athens after crossing the Corinth Canal. We are staying in hotel in city centre as the main camp site is two hours out of town. After dinner went to the sound and light show on the Acropolis, mainly dealing with Marathon and Salamis era.

Some of the crumbly bits at Mycenae.

The amphitheatre at Epidavros.

The Corinth Canal.

Friday 30 May - The other two guys finally turned up after flying from Corfu. We walked up to Syntagma Square in the centre of the city. Great changing of guard ceremony. Visited the Acropolis. Lots of scaffolding but still very impressive. Also visited the Agora but managed to get thrown out (Can't remember why - diary does not say and, well it was over 20 years ago!).

The Parthenon on the Acropolis.

A view over Athens.

Changing of the Guard in Syntagma Square.

Inside the Agora.

Saturday 31 May - A free morning in Athens. Wandered the streets and markets. Drove to Kalabaka and the monasteries perched high on the pinnacles.

Sunday 1 June - An early start to view the monasteries at Kalabaka. These are an impressive sight with them perched on rock pinnacles. After lunch drove to Kavalla.

The monasteries at Meteora.

The Great Monastery.

Inside the Great Monastery.

Monday 2 June - Ferry to Thasos. The day was spent looking around town and beach. A white knuckle taxi ride back to ferry port. Evening spent in the camp site bar watching World Cup soccer (USSR 6, Hungary 0).

Tuesday 3 June - A free day lazing around the beach (after a major bus clean). Spit roasted lamb for dinner. More World Cup soccer on TV (Mexico 2, Belgium 1).
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