Halkidiki - Our Holiday From Our Holiday

Day 129 -136

After spending the better part of four days in the front seat of the van making our way through dodgy Eastern European towns and cities it was an amazing feeling to finally reach Greece. 

Coming in via Bulgaria, our plan was to tour around the coastal area east of Thessaloniki called Halkidiki, which looks like three fingers on a map.

The following pictures show some of the beaches and coastal towns we visited in our two weeks in Halkidiki. 

Our first night parked up on the coast in Greece. Welcomes don't come much better than this, although it was at this point we were introduced to the rather large problem Greece has with stray cats (and dogs) as I was molested by a black cat while trying to cook dinner. 

Not a bad spot to wake up to for day two in Greece. 

Exploring the rocky coastal area and clear waters of our wild camp location.    

Although the beach umbrellas were still up, the beach bar just down from our wild camp spot was well and truly closed. It looked as if the economy had hit the bar owner hard as they had vacated the premises pretty quickly leaving all the deck chairs out and still some soda water in the now mouldy fridges.

One Greek beach all to ourselves.

The first Greek wild camp site was so good we decided to stay for 3 nights. We even had our own olive tree!

One of the advantages of an abandoned beach bar was free use of their Olive Tree Shower and also their WC. We didn't realise it at the time, but outdoor showering through use of showers on beaches or our external hose would now become the norm for daily washing. We haven't showered inside for over a month.

Looking back down the beach towards the ledge we were camped on. It was a great spot until two families of Bulgarians decided to rock up and dig their camp toilet right on the beach!

Maxi getting his first oil change after 15,000 miles. Better late than never and a big thanks to Bronwyn who sponsored this little bit of automotive pampering.

How did we end up here? Well we were directed to 'Aussie George' in Agios Nikolaos by a bloke at the Shell service station in Nikiti - "Just ask for Aussie George, everyone knows Aussie George."

We met big George who was very helpful, but couldn't get the van into his workshop, so he rang his other Aussie mate down the road called Nick. Fancy that - a Greek called Nick.

We arrived around lunch and Nick explained he was busy so unsure whether he could get it done that day. It was at this point we realised the Greek's ability to overstate their business, as he had one customer and quickly moved on to our car while having a smoke and coffee break in between. Four hours later and much discussion about the Greek and Australian economies, Rowville and how expensive Australia is we finally backed the van back out on to the road.

Our second wild camp spot in Halkidiki, just outside the town of Lerisos. At this location we had a couple of stray dogs that seemed like our own, as they would bark at other vehicles coming down the road. 

Some of the crazy rock formations on the beach. This one rock plummeted down about 5 metres under water and was full of marine life, right next to the shore.

We took a ride out on the motorbike to the town of Ouranoupoli, which is the last town before entering the national park to Mt Athos.

Ouranoupoli Tower. This is the last town before you enter the Monks Republic of Mt Athos,  a place that can only be visited by men. Long live equality to the sexes.

Given the location was so good, we also stayed here for three nights.

Hitting up the third peninsula (Kassandra) in Halkidiki. This location is just outside the town of Palouri near an old marina.

The pebbly beaches started to become part of the norm and make for some really clear water.

Claires favourite place for collecting rocks.

This is something you don't see in the tourist brochures for Greece. Whether it's due to the economy or the Greeks are just downright lazy to put rubbish in a bin, this site was all too common at many beachside locations.

Woodfired BBQ for some upcoming Schazliks!