Island of Corfu Greece

Seems like I was not the only rider who decided to head to the Island. I meet riders from Austria and Belgium while on the ferry. 

Heading away from the mainland town of Igoumenitsa.

The old fort of Corfu from the ferry

The old town of corfu really reminded me of Cartengena Colombia

View from the old fort looking over the town.

Talking a stroll throughout he town of Corfu

As all good things must come to an end and say goodbye to Greece. 

It was time to do some route planning for Albania while enjoying a breakfast of Greek pancakes with cinnamon and honey.

Home of the Olypmics

Riding to the town of Olympia I came across some great scenery.

Now as much as I hate bus loads of tourist. There is something even worse to ruin the tranquility of a historic site. Bus loads of grade school kids!!!!!!! Damn those things just run around screaming and yelling. I know you are not interested in the historic significance of the site. 

You just want the day off.

 Go home and goggle it kids if you really want to learn and stay away from my sites!!!

The statue/Temple of Zeus is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It no longer exists but is portrayed in the above picture. Actually the only ancient wonder that still stands today is the Great Pyramid of Giza.

These carvings were found above the entrance into the Temple of Zeus.

They are still excavating the Olympic site to this day.

This the archway through which the athletes would enter the stadium area. I will admit it was pretty great feeling to be standing on such a historic site. 

Screaming kids or not.

Olympic Stadium.

Athens

Setting up at camping Athens I ran into another rider from Poland. Unfortunately my polish is worse than his english which made for some hard communication.

Look up way up......Who remembers that saying from our childhood TV.

Damn I hate tourist!!!!!!! Especially the ones who come by the thousands on a bus. This was nine in the morning and it was jammed going up to the top of the Acropolis. Why don't they all go home and let me discover the world in peace. I talked to an usher and she told me they get over 15,000 tourists a day passing through. 

The stadium of the Acropolis. 

They are working real hard at restoring the Acropolis. The back side has cranes and scaffolding which does not make for great photo opportunities.

 

Guard dog haha...Even with thousands of people around he is not going to let that get in the way of a good afternoon nap.

Ancient Agora

Temple of Zeus is located in another section of the city but is included in your ticket of the Acropolis.   A 12 euro ticket gets you into about 6 historic sites.

It's about this wide.

Delphi (Apollo & Athena)

Delphi in ancient times was considered the centre of the know world, where heaven and earth met. It was the centre of worship for the god Apollo who was the son of Zeus

This was also the place where everyday guidance was asked of the Oracle 

(spirit of Apollo).

View of the Parnassus mountains from the ruins 

Apollo was the god of music.

Treasury building

The theatre

The Stadium of Delphi. 

The races held here were only second to the ones of Olympia. 

The birth place of the Olympics

Another attraction to be found in Delphi are the ruins of the sanctuary of the goddess Athena. 

Farewell Turkey Hello Greece (Country #32)

Well after 50 days of being in Turkey it was time to say goodbye. Between waiting for the bike to arrive from Mumbai. The challenges with the Turkish customs for both my bike and the new starter ordered. I was certainly ready to leave.

That being said though none of it would have been possible if it were not for the friends I made while in Istanbul. If it weren't for my friends Zulal and Marco I am sure my bike would still be in Turkish customs.

And as expected once again the Triumph dealers came through. Any time I have needed service around the world each dealer has gone above and beyond to help me out.

Who ever coined the phrase "it's a small world after all" was not kidding. My original plan was to head straight to Greece from Turkey. But I was informed through friends that Greece was charging an extortionist $100 euro for the mandatory Green Card insurance. So I thought I would try and get it at the Bulgaria border for less and then cross right into Greece for there. 

And because of that decision two good things happened.

1) Bulgaria only charged $35 euro for the insurance

2) I ran into another rider named Jonathan that I had been in contact with on Facebook through mutual friends. So yes, it is a small world when you randomly meet people you know at foreign borders. 

So instead of heading straight to Greece I decided to camp out the night in 

Bulgaria too exchange a few stories over beers.

So far Greece has not disappointed in the scenery department. I have ridden through mountains; rolling hills with vineyards and wheat fields.

The view from my campsite overlooking mount Parnassus.

Tomorrow i will be in the town of Delphi searching for the famous Oracle of Greek legend. Maybe i will find out what is in store for my future?