Passing the Greek border went smoothly, so we moved on to the Turkish border. Here it was less easy. First we had to receive a stamp at the Health Center. Without asking any questions we got one. We must have looked very healthy! Then we had to arrange a visa. The man of the visas was celebrating his lunch break so we had to wait. We were not the only ones waiting and it was nice talking with other travelers. After everybody received his visa we found out that the prices were very different. We only had to pay 10 euros, Americans 20 euros, Englishmen 15 euros and the Germans could go into Turkey for free. After some more stamps we were allowed to go into Turkey! (more…)
Topic: Cycling trip 2005 – 2009
Greece in pictures
10 September 2005 ║ Pictures-Greece ║ 0
To the border
5 September 2005 ║ Greece ║ 0
After spending 10 days in Thessaloniki we really enjoyed cycling again. Up and down, big and small roads, mountains and lakes, everything was beautiful. This part of Greece was full of cattle. Cows, sheep and goats we see them everywhere. The shepherds are waving at us when they see us and they stand proudly in front of their animals when we take a picture. For us there is a new game: “Search the cattle”. (more…)
A new wheel
25 August 2005 ║ Greece ║ 0
Yes we have a new wheel! After tens days spending in Thessaloniki and dropping by every day at the post office we were disappointed again this morning. Wednesday the 31st of August we made a call to Cycle Trend about the broken rim in Stevens wheel and what we should do with it. Cycle trend took action immediately and at the end of the day we received an email that Santos would send a new wheel from the Netherlands. We told them to send it to the main post office because we thought it would be safer than our hotel. (more…)
A broken wheel
15 August 2005 ║ Greece ║ 0
A lot can happen in one week. At the moment we are stuck in Thessaloniki waiting for a new wheel. My back wheel(Steven) broke which made cycling impossible. Time enough to write about all the things that happened last week. We could leave Athens relatively relaxed without taking too big roads. It was kind of hard finding the way we wanted to take, but we managed and we drove a beautiful and silent road outside the town. When we looked over our shoulders we could see Athens while we were riding our bicycles through mountains and forests. Everything was very green which was new for us because most of the nature in Greece is very dry. In the forests surrounding Athens we saw the Fire Brigade standing ready every 4 km. Probably they were afraid of fires in this area. (more…)
A dive into the deep
7 August 2005 ║ Greece ║ 0
From the campsite in Varkiza we cycled back the same busy highway as we took the day before. The traffic is passing us at all sides and it’s an exciting trip. Especially when we had to changes lanes it was a bit tricky but we are a strong team. Marlous riding in front and making the speed and Steven in the back pointing into the direction we want to go. By stretching out his arm in the direction we want to go Steven makes sure that the cars behind us will take care of us. As soon as he knows we can go he shouts: “Lous one lane to the right!!!!” This is quit an exciting experience but it works and we arrive in Athens safely. (more…)
A Greek welcome
1 August 2005 ║ Greece ║ 0
After a long and dark night with thunderstorms and big showers we have some new land in our vision at 5:30 in the morning. At one side of the boat we see Albania with high mountains and big dark clouds above it. At the other side we see some islands and according to us the biggest one must be Corfu. (more…)
Pictures Italy
28 July 2005 ║ Pictures-Italy ║ 0
On our way from Rome to the south
20 July 2005 ║ Italy ║ 0
It’s been a great time in Rome! We had a campsite at the river Tiber and from here we could take public transport into the beautiful city centre. There were a lot of backpackers on our camping field and we had plenty of time watching and chatting with the other travelers. Together with our Dutch neighbors we had quit some laughs about everything happening around us. For example we witnessed the removal of a 60 year old Englishman who had misbehaved. The police had to come and get him of the camping. We took our time exploring the city of Rome. Normally we went into the city at around 4 pm and than we just started wandering in a new area of town. In the evening we chose one of the many great restaurants and after dinner we would stay at a square to see some street theatre. (more…)
Cycling from Pisa to Rome
15 July 2005 ║ Italy ║ 0
Before we cycle to the campsite, of course we want see the tower first. So we cycle to the square and there it is: the Tower of Pisa. It is very crowded at the square and we zigzag through the crowd. It is funny to see how everybody poses to get a nice picture and we enjoy watching it. Everybody wants a picture of themselves holding the tower to a stand and it’s nice to see how they struggle to find the right position. At the moment we want some prove ourselves standing in front of the tower with the bicycles there are two other cyclist approaching us. “Hi, we recognize you from internet!” These are two collegue cyclists from our home town Groningen. (more…)