Bicycle Trip to Greece Dr. Hans-Jürgen Weber 26.04.2013 - 17.05.2013


  

Map


26.04.2013 Haiger
27.04.2013 Rückingen
28.04.2013 Würzburg
29.04.2013 Pleinfeld
30.04.2013 Taufkirchen/Vils
01.05.2013 Freilassing
02.05.2013 Tweng
03.05.2013 Villach
04.05.2013 Bovec
05.05.2013 Ilirska Bistrica
06.05.2013 Karlobag
07.05.2013 Pirovac
08.05.2013 Omis
09.05.2013 Slano
10.05.2013 Budva
11.05.2013 Shkoder
12.05.2013 Fier
13.05.2013 Himare
14.05.2013 Igoumenitsa
15.05.2013 Paleros
16.05.2013 Platanovrisi
17.05.2013 Zakynthos

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15.05.2013, 20. day, 136 / 2636 km, Paleros

I have to adjust my watch. Greece is GMT plus 2 hours. So I get up at 7 am (6 am German time) and want to wash and brush my teeth, but there is no water today. So I pack up my things and go back to Igoumenitsa again. At the harbor I get "breakfast" (Cappuccino, Omelette and Sandwich for 9.80 Euro!) and go on partially through the interior to Prevesa.
Like in Albania here are many waste dumps. All sides of the road are full of plastic bottles and other things. On the whole way there are no 5 m without garbage.
Nevertheless the country is beautiful. Again and again there are idyllic views of the Ionian coast.
Often miniature churches on pillars can be seen. I think that these are memorials of traffic victims. When I consider how many of these buildings I have seen there must be plenty of them.
Also I found memorials in Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, some very fancy, but no miniature churches.
There are several road construction zones. The new road is built beside the old one. I stay on the new road. There is no traffic except for some trucks. From time to time there are still road works. One time I fear that it is not possible to pass it, but with pushing the bike 10 m I am able to do it. I don't like the alternative to go with the main traffic some hundred m altitude down to the beach (and then up again).
In Prevesa is a tunnel with a length of 1600 m which goes under the sea to the other side. Of course bicycles are not permitted.
I go to the harbour to find a ferry, but there is none.
In one of the numerous cafes I ask a guest how I can get to the other side. He puts on a big smile. He still possesses nearly half of his teeth and explains in English that I should go to the entry of the tunnel. A bus would come and take me through the tunnel. Doubtfully I return to the place where the sign "Not permitted for bicycles" is posted.
No bus comes, but after a while a taxi. I stop it, and the driver says I should proceed to the entry. He would inform a pickup.
I do so. And in fact after a short time a pickup comes and takes me through the tunnel. The driver refuses to take any fare or tip.
I'm glad that it worked. But a small hint beside the road would have been very helpful...
I keep going on via Vonitsa to Paleros. The map shows this road in red, therefore it must be a major road. In fact the road is very narrow and there's almost no traffic.
The map says that in Paleros should be a campground, but I see no hint or sign to it. I continue and find a hotel that looks nice. Because it is cheap and the way to the campground leads back as they say and I urgently need a hot shower I decide to stay here. Here I can wash my clothes get a good dinner and can upload my report. Also a breakfast is served in the morning.
My tomorrow destination is Platani, the house of a Greek friend. Whether I can make the 140 km is not yet clear. I guess that there is a very hilly road again.

The road from the campground to Igoumenitsa

Breakfast at the harbor

One can see such memorials everywhere on the side of the road

The entry to the harbor of Igoumenitsa from the south. The campground is located on the small peninsula on the right

An abundance of Oleander shrubs beside the road

10 km of newly built road just for me

But I have to pass this construction zone

A frequent traffic victim

Again and again beautiful views

Garbage is everywhere on the side of the road

Another construction zone on a closed road. But I am able to pass

This is also a way to close a road

Entry to the tunnel under the gulf of Prevesa, not permitted for bicycles and also not recommended

This pickup truck took me through the tunnel

Typical road, here from Vonitsa to Paleros

My hotel room

View from my balcony