Lito Ixia

... a few km’s and a few cooling showers, the vein on Brian’s forehead finally went down again. I did my best to cycle with limited gears and not complain (it was my own fault after all for not listening to him). Maybe this has been what I’e been working up to: cycling without first gear. Cycling was becoming easier for me, so I needed the next challenge! I have heard of people doing long trips ...

... this is supposed to be the off season! Fighting through the crowds of colour-coded name-tag wearing tourists rushing to follow their banner-carrying leader to get to the bus before it leaves.

But once we were inside the complex, the area was huge ! And all the tourists inside kept huddled closely to their leaders so as not to get lost.

This is an area of amazing beauty ...

... wet and cold and not having any fun. I can’t see the scenery I so want to, and we have no desire to go to any sights in the rain. What’s going on?

Upon reaching the campground I couldn’t take anymore. It had only been 2 hours cycling in the rain, but the rain wasn’t letting up. Here we were in Olympia and I couldn’t see it! I didn’t know what to do ...

... with some creative photo cropping. In reality the ‘off season’ Greek beach is littered with trash and very unappealing (at least in this area). But even so, there was a good-humored man to took whatever change we had in our pockets for payment and let us stay without any paperwork or receipts. With an added invitation for a beer, that’s all I need!

... PLUS THE PRIME MINISTER OF GREECE STAYED AT OUR HOTEL THE SAME NIGHT AS US. Pretty cool. He was making a speech in toen so the whole city was out waving Greek flags. Olympia was pretty devastated by fires last year so he was coming back to do some morale-boosting and PR. But ya, Olympia was great.

... this driver slammed on brakes. Whew. The driver and his partner (every bus in Greece has had a driver and another staff worker, a security force of sorts, who clamors about to collect tickets and dispose of the filthy varmants who seek stowaway status) were able to figure out what I was communicating to them in wanting to be dropped off at the ancient Olympai site in the town of Olympia... I had to draw the Olympic rings finally for them to get ...

... selection of books in all languages. What a pleasant contrast to Olympia 's other shops, which have all too many T-shirts, museum reproductions, and machine-made rugs and embroideries sold as "genuine handmade crafts." Still into eating, we stop off at the local ice cream parlour and eat the most expensive ice cream I have ever tasted at € 4.50 for a miserly cone of indifferent concoction. You can't win them all!

... Margaret. We chatted for a few minutes, then I was off to shower and dress for the evening. It was after six already! Where do the days go? Dinner was lovely as usual, a lovely hazelnut crusted baked brie, oxtail en crout soup and swordfish, followed by brandied cherries over ice cream, coffee and the rest of my bottle of wine. We joined Bob and Carol with the quartet ( I told you Bob would like them... they're Russian and very talented) and then ...

... We salesmen may not be solving the world's problems. But, at least we're solving our own. Sometimes, that's all you can do. - peace, from Greece, Mod**n Oddyseus chairman and CEO, MOTA, inc. Thanks to Stathis; Nikos; Xaris; Yeorgos; Artiris; three guys who didn't seem to like me but drove me because Yeoryia asked them to; and Xaris - for the second time - for rides! "What the world needs now are some new words of wisdom, like, 'la-la la-la la-la la luh la!" - Crack**

... during celebrations Tuck in! Bike theft in progress - remarkably well ridden for a first timer! Hilltop monastery Telekinetic bail throwing competition _______________________________________ ____________________ 29 Oct, Saturday Start point: Kefalovrysi End point: Krestena Via: Figalia, Vasses Odom(Km): 72.07 Moving(hrs.mim): 5.35 Ave(Km/h): 12.9 Total Ascent(m ...