It has taken a long time for me to pick up from where I left off writing up about this trip. There are several reasons for that. I had travelled to Athens and then on to Patras with my daughter as we had just been accepted as volunteers – myself with FoodKind and my daughter…
This is my last day on Samothrace. Six days have just whizzed by and I still feel as though there is so much more to discover about this island. Sometimes this is the case. You have to accept it and make a plan to come back. The bus timetable shows that on alternate weekdays, a…
Since being on Samothrace I can see that the bus timetable especially in October is quite limited so today I’m going to hire a car. Driving in Greece is never my first choice of transport but sometimes ‘needs must!’. There are a couple of hire car companies along the back of the port but nobody…
My hosts Mr George and Madam Stratoula arrived back from Alexandrouplis on the Adamantios Korais this morning. I know this because there is another plate of bright red pomegranates on the table outside my door. After breakfast, I handwash some clothes and hang them out to dry and as I do George comes to say…
Continuing my explorations of Samothrace Chora, I make my way through the paved alleyways towards the centre of the village. One place that I wanted to see was the Antoniou Family Traditional Bakery. Well, I found it easily enough but unfortunately for me again it is closed. Not to worry though, just seeing it from…
From behind the rocky crags completely hidden from sight, Samothrace Chora has been taunting me, calling me. This protected view is a real asset to a small island that needed to hide itself away from pirates back in the days of yore. The freshly harvested wheat fields reflect a glorious golden light. The only sound…
My hosts left for Alexandroupoli on the Adamantios Korais early this morning. On the wooden table outside the door of my room is a plate full of pomegranates that Mr Giannis has picked from his orchard. A perfect accompaniment to the yoghurt and honey that I’d purchased for my breakfast. I’m not sure but I…
Rightyhooo then – a quick photo-dump of some of the images of Xanthi that I haven’t yet had a chance to include in the previous posts. Here are photos of the former home of composer Manos Hadjidakis, the old town hall, the Church of St Vlasios, Muzaffer Bey Mansion – and more. Xanthi has been…
Today the clouds have lifted to reveal a much brighter outlook than yesterday. My first mission is to take advantage of this break in the weather and walk along the Path of Life, a picturesque park running parallel to the Kosynthos River. The trail is about 6 kilometres long and the entrance is a short…
I am fast sailing past the halfway mark of my stay in Xanthi. I must admit that I have spent most of my time wandering around the old town admiring the architecture and the atmospheric alleyways. However, this morning I did attempt a trip to the nearby town of Komotini, the capital of the regional…
One of the top things to do when in Xanthi is visit the House of Shadow. It sits right in the heart of the Old Town so you can’t miss it, especially with its two muppet-style characters taking pride of place at the front of the building. When I say building, I mean art gallery…
This morning I will be heading off to Xanthi. My bag is packed and my bus ticket has been purchased – all good to go. As I fling open the curtains to my room I’m taken aback by the sight below me – I’d completely forgotten that today is Saturday – and that means market…
Although it’s 19 years since last in Kavala, the place feels very familiar. There are a couple of landmarks that I want to re-visit, the first being the Lighthouse of Kavala. It sits at the very tip of the peninsula, just beyond the House of Mohammed Ali. As I’d just left the museum it made…