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.