Every time I visit Greece, it feels like coming home. The extraordinary ancient cities, stunning Mediterranean coastline, glorious sunsets, and relaxed people captivate me with each visit.
From Greece to Turkey
From Slovenia to Greece
June 7, 2020
Protected: From Georgia to Russia
June 21, 2020PART 2
Journey to the unknown
From Athens and its stunning historic Acropolis to archaeological sites such as Olympia, Corinth, Thessaloniki, and the coasts of Pylos, Limni, Volos, and many more…
I always pause for a longer period than I have planned.
Evia Island is one of the closest to Athens and yet one of the lesser known places, highly recommended by a friend. Here, I met a marvellous doctor, Mrs. Hella, and Mr. Armin, who drove all the way from Germany in their customised 4×4 truck. Man.
While enjoying the exquisite German humour, I accidentally picked up some German words, not realising I will need them in future years when attending the emergency rescue seminar in Kassel organised by these first-class adventure doctors.
Among other essential German words, I have learned the whole sentence… „kirchdithmoldisch-chinesische Kirschbaum-Schnitzereien griechischer Art“.
Translation: Who knows… I made people laugh—mission accomplished!
The small fishermen’s town of Limni, situated in the northwestern part of Euboea island, persuaded me to set up my camp there for the second time.
Without expecting to meet family on the coast, my Gelandewagen came across his older cousin for the first time, which was a lovely surprise. It was clear that they shared similar genetic traits and a proud Austrian spirit that continues to impress me to this day. (1996/2013)
I’ll never forget the day I was cooking macaroni sauce on my small electric stove when I suddenly got distracted by a family of dolphins nearby. That day, I learned an important lesson. You can’t be in two places at once. But if you want to defy physics like I did, I can reassure you, it’s a lose-lose situation: blurry photos and burnt dinner.
As fortunate as I am, life brought me into contact with Mr. Theo, a local man who knew how to ‘serve the plate’ and helped me with my cooking.
Mr. Theo is an English professor who originally hails from Australia, and I visited him in Athens over the next few years to improve my English skills and learn a few Greek words like Galaktoboureko and other essential terms you need to know if you want to survive in Greece, or at least satisfy your hungry appetite.
Finally discharged from daily routines, the Greek atmosphere acted as a purifier for my mind and soul. I was ready and eager for the new stories to come.
Not long after a wonderful experience in Limni, my journey continued to Volos, where I became part of another local story. By then, I was already skilled and fully prepared to enjoy life in “Greek mode.” I met an excellent history professor, Mr. Dimos, along with his family and friends. It felt as if we had known each other for years.
I told myself that one day, when I wouldn’t be on such a tight schedule, I would return. What do you think? Did I? Of course I did, and this time I brought my German doctors with me. Boy, we had fun!
As a magician, Mr Dimos transported us to ‘the gypsy state’. The state I experienced in Bosnia is already there and can only be reached when surrounded by beautiful people and a pleasant atmosphere. There was an abundance of both.
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
-Anais Nin
Driving through the Turkish city of Istanbul was a story of its own. I felt like a kamikaze waiting to be hit from any direction whatsoever.
I wouldn’t recommend sleeping in a car on a city parking lot because of the loud music coming from the locals’ cars, which compete with each other’s sound systems all night long.
Apart from that, this stunning ancient city, with its vast, colourful mosques showcasing modern architecture, fine craftsmanship, endless spice markets, and delicious food, was exactly what I had anticipated – even more, much more.
In fact, Istanbul impressed me so much that I returned after two years, this time with my dear friend Mr. Troy Ziel, with whom I’ve shared wonderful memories from our adventurous travels in Cambodia.
We enjoyed Istanbul so much that we are seriously thinking about offering a storytelling photo workshop in the future. Want to join? I’ll see what I can manage, but now let’s get back to our off-road adventure, shall we?
Cappadocia was one of the places I had to visit, and it was clearly marked on my map. Why?
You see, my friends, I have travelled extensively by plane since the days when I was exploring the beautiful archaeological and cultural aspects of Southeast Asia, but I have never flown in a balloon.
Since the region is renowned for its ballooning skills, this was the place I wanted to try – experience the balloon ride. And I did!
I was floating in a colourful balloon above the fairy chimneys, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, and rising over the stunning Cappadocian landscape.
What an extraordinary experience, as if time could pause for a brief moment. The landscape looked as if I were about to land on the moon.
I couldn’t resist extending my stay. I arranged with the Kaya Konak Cave Hotel in Göreme and took some photos for them while they allowed me to stay in one of their beautiful cave rooms.
While I was filming for the hotel, a TV crew from Slovenia, specifically from Planet TV, approached me for an interview. I wasn’t keen on the idea, as I felt tired and unprepared. However, I decided to give it a try as a way to try something new and to ‘break the ice’ with public speaking. Ultimately, I didn’t enjoy the experience and wouldn’t want to do it again. Not everything is suitable for everyone.
Everything until Cappadocia went as planned, but then the journey changed direction. Yes, it already began in Turkey.
Exhausted from a long drive towards Ankara, it was time for a glass of wine and some rest.
I found myself stranded in the middle of nowhere when suddenly my mobile home posed a threat to someone, and shortly after, I was confronted by the weapons of the Turkish police.
I must admit it was difficult to communicate. I did not speak Turkish, and they did not speak English either. Everything sounded like a big mishmash. I had no choice but to follow them to the station, where I had to wait until the next day, but without a glass of wine. What a mess!
The next day, the police realised I was just a traveller, so I was allowed to continue my journey.
In the next few days, I reached Van Lake and Mount Ararat, eating melons and drinking tea with the nicest local man.
Unaware, I had set up the campground next to the military base. Thankfully, this time everything turned out well.
“If someone called you crazy for doing it, you are on the right track!”
After driving such a long distance, I stopped in Şanlıurfa, where I had to face yet another extreme. The temperature soared to +42 degrees Celsius, making me feel like I was about to melt in my car seat.
The reason for stopping so near the Sirian border was to view the megalithic structures of Göbekli Tepe, which were built 5,000 years before the Egyptian pyramids and predates Stonehenge by 6,000 years.
The 200 pillars, each standing up to 6 metres tall and weighing as much as 10 tonnes, left me so amazed that I nearly forgot to breathe.
While examining well-known historical facts, something didn’t sit right. This discomfort started when I was exploring the Underground City. I began to question my true ancestors and the history I had been taught.
From the dry and forgettable Turkey, I soon found myself in a completely different world—the lush wetlands of Georgia, or as I called it, the lands of Shire. I believe I inadvertently stepped into Mr. J. R. R. Tolkien‘s tale, only without the hobbits.
We’ve had enough travel for today. We had quite a journey. Thank you for the company, and I must admit it was a pleasure travelling with you!
Infotech:
Equipment:
Canon, GoPro, Fuji instax, portable printer, Macintosh;
Mercedesbenz 👉Graz- Austria, Dream team car 👉Martigues- France, ORC 👉Stuttgart- Germany, Mixi caravaning👉Šentjur- Slovenia, 4×4 servis 👉Maribor- Slovenia
How did you enjoy the journey so far?
Next stop: Georgia 🇬🇪
Destination: Mongolia 🇲🇳