It was a reluctant departure from our safe little beach on Lefkada.  Travelling brings untold new experiences and a great deal of joy but it also brings a level of general uncertainty and, at times, some amount of stress. 

But the good news is, we are in Greece and the Greeks a friendly, hospitable and easy going.  Italians have a set way of doing things so if you try to get food in the wrong way or order something at a time not considered appropriate then Italians are not really willing to budge from their culturally appropriate way of doing things. Which lead to us second guessing ourselves a bit.

That doesn’t happen in Greece, which along with the huge deserted roads, makes travelling a joy.

Before we set off on the long road home, we had to be realistic about what time was available and what we wanted to achieve.  We couldn’t spare time for a deep dive into the Pelaponnese, but our last couple of days has proven the North of Greece has so much to offer.

Our first stop was the mountainous Zagori region. I thought when we left the Alps behind that the punishment on the van’s brakes might ease a little, wow was I wrong.  On our way up to Vikos Gorge and Papingo we were offered a brief glimpse of the road ahead which was nothing more than a serious of switchbacks across an uninviting ridge. This area is nature at its finest, dramatic landscapes, the cleanest rivers and an abundance of wildflowers where the hum of insects going about their business is perpetual.

As we looked to get out of the heat on a shaded terrace with expansive views right over the valley below, I discovered that my new favourite drink is a Freddo.  Obviously, it sounds like a classic chocolate frog but it’s actually an iced, foamy coffee and I could have sat there all afternoon drinking them.

With no clue what to do but with a vague idea to stay North and head East we went from nature at its finest to man-made creations of astonishing beauty at Meteora.  These monasteries, and a nunnery, have to be seen to be believed.  The morning began with threatening skies and wonderful photographic conditions that soon descended into a bright hazy heat that was no good for me but Kerry put to good use with a few sketches. 

We have never had a plan when we travel, it helps us discover unexpected surprises but sometimes leads to misadventure.  This morning, we were talking to a Canadian couple who had a packed 112 day itinerary that was scheduled down to the day, if not hour.  They seemed kind of surprised and intrigued when they asked where we were off to today, and I said ‘Not sure yet, we’ll have a think about it’. 

Having said that those guys were pensioners, planning on 20 countries, in a tent and off to Turkey in a few days.  They were totally hardcore but I prefer more free time and the comfort of a van.