A little relief from the sun

A couple of weeks ago we got a little relief from the sun. It was nice to ride under cloudy skies for a change, but the fields of sunflowers didn't like it. Then a wall of black sky approached, so we prepared our bikes for a good washing and ducked into a giro place before it started to rain sideways. It even hailed. When it stopped and the sun dried things up very fast, good judgement took us to a nearby town with a hotel. It rained a lot more at night so we watched the dark clouds on the horizon with suspicion and killed some time in an internet cafe, getting caught up.

When we did get back on the road, it was well into the afternoon, but we managed to get up to the top of an 900m pass and camped there. Near the top of the highest mountain in the range is perhaps not the best choice for camping, especially with the telling menace of many power generating wind mills on the mountain ridge opposite us. Of course it was a very windy and fairly cold night, but nothing that a well positioned, firmly staked out tent and a pair of earplugs couldn't overcome. Sleep came easily to our weary bodies after we were done eating and taking in the majestic views.

Mosaics make Alix happy

And what amazing mosaics there are here in Greece. The various mosaics in the pictures are in the Byzantine museum in Thesalonica, in the museum at ancient Pella (Alexander the Great's hometown), in Filipi; the first Christian city in the west and Europe, and finally outside a church in Kavala.

Ferry to Thessalonica

By the way, as in Mexico, you mustn't dispose of toilet paper in the toilet in Greece.

After a few days of short rides, beautiful views and lovely swims in Alonysos, it was time for a long ferry ride to northern Greece, Thessalonica. A 10 hour ferry ride for only €25 each, and the bikes ride for free, we just wheel them on, bags and all. It couldn't be more convenient.

We stopped off in Skopelos and Skiathos, and had a hazy glimpse of mount Olympus on the way.

Goats and olives on Alonysos

Evia island was all sheep. Next we went to Alonysos island which was full of goats and many old olive trees. There were a few tourists on the south end too.

We didn't camp here

But it would have been nice. This is a Profitis Ilias church, there are many and they are always on hill or mountaintops. We had the pleasure of spending the afternoon and camping at one (on Evia island) the night before.