Wednesday 18th July
I guess it should
come as no surprise that yesterday went out more or less as it started! Not
only was the camp site situated just about at the end of the Ioannina International Airports main (only!) runway,
right next door to the camp was a restaurant/bar on the edge of the lake whose
very loud so-called music didn’t cease until 2.30am… so not a lot of sleep was
had last night. Hence it was a bit of a slow start this morning, I just
couldn’t get my mojo working !
I finally got on the
road about 10am for a leisurely ride back to Monodendri to be in a good place
to start the Vikos Gorge walk tomorrow. On the way I spotted a sign for the
Perama Cave, so did what a good tourist does and popped in for a look. At 7
Euro I can’t say it was stunning value for money as you had to have a guide who
for my liking just rushed through it all far to quickly and gave the distinct
impression that it was time she looked for another job! But I must say that the cave which was only
discovered by accident in 1940 when the villagers were looking for somewhere to
hide from the Germans, is fantastic. Never mind the 30 minutes of the tour
(which should have been 45 according to the signs!) I could easily have spent a
couple of hours or more wandering slowly through. It was also a bit galling
that photos weren’t allowed, now I can understand possible problems with flash
photography but with out flash… what possible issue can there be? 
Anyway, back to the Vikos gorge, logistically this presents
a bit of a problem. The walk is reckoned to take about 5 ½ hours which looking
at the terrain is probably about right for the 10 km. But how to get back to
the bike afterwards ???? There is apparently no taxi available, at least
according to the young lady in the Tourist Information Office I stopped at. So
the only solution presenting itself so far is to just do half of it tomorrow
and walk back to the bike, then to the other half on Friday… could work but
I’ll have to see how I go. My feet are still not completely recovered from the
Olympus trek , and on top of that I managed to spike my right foot in the sea
the other day which is still sore as there appears to be a small piece of thorn
in it which I can’t easily get at to remove, so I may not even manage half of
it!
I spent an interesting half hour or so chatting to the girl
in the Tourist Information Office, it appears that the Greek tourist industry
is completely on it’s knees this year as everyone is afraid to come due to the
economic crisis. In particular the Dutch have stayed away in droves… So if your
looking for a cheap break get down the travel agents as there may well be some
bargains going.
Whilst there I also gave here the “old grumpy” treatment
(gently of course) regarding the total lack of camping facilities inland in
general and in the National Park in particular. I explained that many people
will stay away simply as there is nowhere for them to stay other than
relatively expensive hotels… I have no idea if she will pass the message on but
if nobody says anything it certainly won’t change.
So tonight it’s back with the bears! Yes, wild camping once
more, this time in the Stone Forest just above Monodendri, and guess what I
have neighbours… two Germans, Anya and Christian with their 7 month old son
Julias and dog are parks up in a Transit just a couple of fields away and what’s more have
invited me over for a beer! And I
promise not to mention the war !
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