Kalabaka, Greece

Today was a big travel day, with a 2.5hr bus trip back to Athens to make our connection and then up to Thessaloniki where we are staying in Kalabaka and to view the Monastery’s at Meteora tomorrow.

Our day started with a final pack and then downstairs for another most enjoyable breakfast. We hoped to spend an hour in old town before catching the bus at 10am so set off to confirm our tickets first. Lucky we did as the bus was now leaving at 0930 and it was 0915. EEK, we raced back to the hotel, grabbed our bags and raced back to get on the bus in time. It happened to be late and leave at 0945 but if we had been counting on 10am as the schedule had said we would have been in trouble and may have been cutting it fine for the train connection in Athens.

I am pleased that this process we do of double checking is proving itself worthwhile. Our bus ride was pleasant and when we arrived in Athens we took the Nafplio bus lady’s advice and got a cab to Larissa Athens (Central Station). It only cost €5.50 for a 15 minute trip which was cheap. The neighbourhoods we have seen so far in Athens are quite rough looking and especially so at the central train station which is very small and grotty – only 2 platforms.

We purchased ‘a’ class tickets, return for €101 all up. The journey was to leave at 2:15 and arrive at 7:30pm. We had an hour to spare so we grabbed a select a sandwich roll (like subway but more gourmet) and rested up. While we were waiting outside the ticket office using a free 30 minute wifi there was a disturbance with a young man (30’s) in a wheel chair going absolutely ballistic at the ticket office. He went on for about 5 minutes yelling and ramming his chair against the counter then went off, and about 5 minutes later came back and had another go – this time for longer. He was so irate security was called and eventually they had to physically wheel him away. I get a bit upset when I hear and see such anger – get a bit worried a gun is going to come out next.

Part of the whole Greek economy is the breakdown of infrastructure of things like the rail service. I have already mentioned the graffiti and most trains are covered in them. The trains are also not as nice and modern as most of the other rail we have travelled in Europe either – only ones worse were regional in South Italy and that wasn’t by much! First class was meant to provide us with a cuppa and sandwich but we didnt see anything and the air conditioning was not working so it was pretty warm all the way – even with a little window open.

We had one change – and wait for about 40 minutes with nothing to do in the middle of nowhere. There was a little train cafe, but coffee machine not on, but we did get a cup of tea and buy a packet of crisps. The toilets were disgusting and I am so glad I have packed feminine wipes and anti bac wipes.

The scenery on the actual trip was pleasant. Greece is very hilly to the point of mountainous and these ranges are punctuated by the occasional valley which is very flat. These flat lands are a mix of gold and green intensely planted and farmed and we actually saw one small bunch of sheep and one of goats. There was quite a bit of grain planting and harvesting and general horticultural. The green parts are all being irrigated as it is very dry in summer here. Still lots of grapes and olives. In this area the houses have a bit more space and there are some tiny front and back yards but still the architecture is ugly and shows a total lack of care or pride (certainly from the outside. We saw evidence of a big new rail line with lots of tunnels but due to the financial situation they have just stopped it where it is, which is sad as no work = no money circulation.

Finally arrived in Kalabaka which is set in a valley with the rocks rising dramatically at one side. Population around 14000 and very shabby with pockets of cheer in the form of flower pots. We found our guest house easily with the ipad GPS and quickly headed out to find dinner as it was 0830 by this time. We had an easy climb up to a recommended taverna which had great service but had run out of a lot meal choices. We ended up just having a tsastiki dip for our bread, a vegetable bake of eggplant, potato, courgette, onion, capsicum in a tomato and olive oil sauce, and meat balls with tomato and rice. It was simple and small portions but tasty. I ordered local wine glass of which he gave me a sample of two types – one a wine and one a something called ‘Restina’ the later tasted like grape stalks and disinfectant and the wine (both were white) was watery and unimpressive so I ordered a beer instead which was very nice. We got a complimentary desert of ice-cream with cherry sauce and a spice cookie which finished the meal nicely. Total cost €20.

By the time we got back to our room it was 11pm and we were pretty tired. I forgot to mention but when I hopped off the train I had very strong ‘the ground is moving’ feeling like when you have been at sea for a bit and then get back on land. LOL Vern had it a little, but mine was still evident till bed time to some degree. Our bed is hard and whilst the accommodation looks nice and eclectic its not very practical with dark slippery floor boards and lots of split levels you have to watch out for. The toilet has a sign not to flush paper down (very common in Greece) so you wipe and put the paper in a bin next to the toilet. Ok, I will leave your imagination with that one. I have to confess that for those ‘special occasions’ Vern and I do not consider the plumbing over our sensitivities of having to continue to use the room for the next 24hrs!

The shower was one you have a split system over a bath, with a spout and hand held shower rose. This is also common in Europe and I do not have a problem with that – when there is a bath under it! Our room had a ring of bricks one high – only a shub if you are a pixie, so come shower time which was also a bit of a dribble pressure we employed the other to hold the rose and be a shower arm, whilst the other washed! The shower also has a sign about water shortage and only enough hot for one quick shower – again understand that, but what about if there are two of you wanting a shower? Just as well its very warm, I would not be happy at all in cooler weather. Despite the moans, this is actually a very nice place as far as the town goes according to the reviews and we are happy with the location being so close to the train and the great views we have from our deck. It is spacious and relatively new and reasonably priced at €68 a night inclusive of views and breakfast.