**File Name:** vikos-gorge-hike-2004.jpg
**ALT Tag:** The steep, rocky cliffs and deep valley of the Vikos Gorge in Greece.
**Caption:**

Hiking the beautiful and treacherous trails of the Vikos Gorge.

Igoumenitsa & Vikos Gorge

Overnight travel is becoming a habit. Following our most recent overnight train ride to Brindisi we decided on the first ferry ride to Greece. This ferry would take us to Igoumenitsa, of which we knew absolutely nothing. Well, the one thing we knew was that it was mainland Greece and we’d have a bed sooner than if we waited for the night ferry to a better known town. We arrived at the port town feeling tired and confused. The saying “it’s all Greek to me” took on the true meaning for us immediately. Whole new alphabet for us.

We quickly found a decent room at the Hotel Egnatia after a bit of a blind walk. The friendly desk man directed us to a restaurant called Alekos after some feeble attempt at Greek. We resorted to having him write the name and draw a map and we found it. Our first Greek meal was great traditional food (I had Moussakas).

A much needed good night sleep later and we have decided to go hike the Vikos Gorge just a few hours away. We went to catch our bus to our new destination and upon arrival to the bus station we realized that there was a time change. We missed the bus so we hung out along the waterfront. Pretty nice for a port really and virtually no sign of any tourists which is fun. Caught the later bus to Ioannina which insured us a night stay there before taking the final leg to the Gorge. Ioannina was a pretty cool little town with an Internet Cafe that has the fastest connection I think I’ve ever seen. I could be biased by the slow connections in the recent past.

Took the 6:15 am bus to Monodendri. Monodendri was a nice little stone town in the hills at the edge of the Vikos Gorge. Had some breakfast at the Monodendri Pensione and the guy even packed us a lunch for our trip. Very friendly people in Greece.

The Vikos Gorge was amazing. It boasts that it was in the Guinness Book of Records 1997 as the world’s deepest canyon at 2,950 feet deep. We started with an ascent to the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi which led along this treacherous little cliffside path. It was an invigorating start to the day.

The trail in the Gorge was beautiful and quite the good workout, up and down the cliffs for a good 7 to 8 hours. We left late in the afternoon exhausted, headed back to Ioannina for our transport out. Arrived too tired to do much and opted for staying rather than traveling. We caught the movie Troy in English which was a nice surprise except for the people talking through the whole movie. Maybe they have to read subtitles aloud or something. Back on the road we hopped the morning train to Trikala and redirected to Athens after some confusion, once again a language issue. Talked with one young and one old Greek couple on the train which was a great way to spend the time.

**File Name:** santorini-fira-coast-2004.jpg
**ALT Tag:** White stone buildings perched on the cliffside of Fira in Santorini, Greece.
**Caption:**

Our white stone apartment right at the top of the ridge in Fira, Santorini.

Santorini & Ios

Got some good insight on our itinerary, we’re going straight to the islands. Said goodbyes to our friends on the subway and made our way to the ferry terminal. Cities that are hosting the Olympics have really nice subways FYI.

Caught the night ferry to Santorini and settled in for a long haul at a table next to some friendly Aussies, a Canadian, and a Finnish girl. We struck up some great convo which sped the trip along. A couple of American girls joined all of us and we proceeded to drink cans of Mythos beer and play cards to pass the time. Worked wonders as we arrived to Santorini with no sleep but it seemed to go fast. Corey and I got off the ferry totally clueless as usual, but our new friends flagged us to a waiting van and informed us that they negotiated us a nice room for $20 next to them. The Loiza Apartment was super nice, white stone building right at the top of the ridge in Fira.

Spent the day sleeping on the Red beach, made so by the red volcanic rock particles in the sand. Feasted on $2 gyros for both meals of the day and arrived back to our place in time for Happy Hour with our friends from the ferry. Night out to the clubs for late night dancing. This would become the daily ritual.

Next day rented scooters and spent the day exploring the Island from tip to tip. Good time except for a brief gas shortage right off the bat. Went to Perissa beach for our daily nap and then caught the sunset at Oia. Back home for HH and out to the clubs. More of the same minus the scooters swimming and napping at the beach, more gyros and HH and again out to the clubs for a fun late night out. Back in time for sunrise which was very cool and then rolled right into our last day on the beach and a last night party on our terrace with our neighbors.

Said goodbye to Santorini and some of our friends and headed out on the ferry to Ios. Said goodbye to the rest of our friends when we got off the ferry at Ios as they were off to another Island. Weather in Ios was not great, but we’re still in the islands so not too bad. Learned a new game of pool called Killer Pool which we’ll incorporate at home. Out once again for a late night. I swear we don’t need a room just a spot at the beach. Spent our last day in the islands on the beach at the Far Out Beach, which will be crazy when the campground is filled to its 2000 person capacity. Caught the night ferry to Athens sleeping on the floor of the ferry.

**File Name:** athens-construction-olympics-2004.jpg
**ALT Tag:** Construction and scaffolding around the ancient ruins in Athens, Greece.
**Caption:**

Athens was totally under construction getting ready for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Athens & The Acropolis

Arrived bright and early to Athens for the day and not much more needed. We found Athens to be totally under construction. Hiked up the Hill of the Nymphs, adjacent to the Acropolis for a birds eye view of the ruins and some needed exercise. Split up for the afternoon and Corey went to the Architectural Museum and Rob to the Olympic Village for a look around. Both were closed off due to construction. Everywhere we looked there was scaffolding and construction equipment, everything slated to be finished in time for the Olympics. We’ll see.

Headed up to the top of another hill, whose name is escaping me, which overlooks the entire city, for the sunset. En route to the hill, we were witness to an accident. It happened about 50 feet from us and the sound and sight stopped us in our tracks. A woman screaming at the top of her lungs and a car racing toward an apartment building wall after smashing into a parked car in reverse and then forward over a scooter. We both ran over to the scene not knowing what was going on faced with the frightening sight of a crushed stroller. We rushed over and helped a police officer, who happened to be right there thankfully, pry a little girl loose from between the bumper and the wall. She nor her baby brother were badly hurt and the old couple driving the car seemed only shaken up. The woman was still screaming but now it seemed in relief and thanks but again hard to tell in another language. Afterwards we just walked up the hill leaving the scene behind and not knowing what to say or do. The city view was all right but the surreal situation was a little much.

Hopped the night train bound for Istanbul to meet Noel Blake and Brian Hall, friends from home. 24 agonizing hours later we arrived in Istanbul once again clueless of our surroundings but ready for the adventure to start again.

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