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Blogs from Ioannina, Epirus, Greece, Europe
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January 17th 2012
We have just spent a glorious day hiking in the mountains in the snow in a place called Vikos Gorge. We walked up a 500 year old path that goes between one 16th century village and another. On the way home we stopped at one of the many old stone bridges and enjoyed our cup of tea (well it looked like a cup of tea but was actually gin and lemon which stays icy cold in the car) to take in the sights. We were once again entertained by a local version of Pooh Sticks, where people throw rocks from the bridge to the ice below to see if they can break the ice. At present we are staying in a renovated 500 year old house in one of the 46 villages that make up the ... read more
Chapter 4-DAY13 - Tirana to Ioannina (Greece)
Published: September 21st 2011Europe » Greece » Epirus » Ioannina
September 19th 2011
ESCAPING ALBANIA! Today was just a travel day from Tirana Albania to Ioannina in Greece – but oh what a day. We left Tirana and headed south for the Greek border. On the way out of the capital there was a stretch on road about a Km long which had 6 service stations. Our guide told us that people who have made their fortunes illegally laundered money through the service stations that is why there are so many in the city. We had a toilet stop which proved interesting, there was just a hole in the ground – although it was surrounded by a ceramic floor, the bad news for Jeanette (and the other women) was that the ladies toilets were the same. One of many things that are hard to get used to is that ... read more
April 6th 2011
So today we left the Dovitel Hotel, and took a tour of the Perama Caves. I would write about it, because it was very beautiful, but the whole day was overshadowed by a very bad incident. Something that has altered my entire outlook of my time spent here, something that has hurt me deeply. We have been dealing with dirty looks from old men, and sleazy looks from young men. We have had rude people, and people who have made it clear they only deal with us so they can have our money. I was overlooking that, ignoring it for the most part, because there is a cultural difference, and two lone women, traveling so far is probably so far from the relm of life for them, it becomes a bit scary. Also because we have ... read more
April 5th 2011
Today we drove to Ioannia (YAH-nen-nah), a 4.5 hour drive. Around noon we stopped in a little town, don't even know the name. Had some coffee, took a walk. Then we drove on, oh-ing and ah-ing over the pretty cliffs... We stopped in a little village (Nea Moussiotitsa, Agios Dimitrios) while still in the mountains, it was a little place right off the road. The BEST coffee I have had in... forever... and this yummy dish called Tyropita me filo kroustas (τυρóπιτα). Basically Cheese Pie with phylo crust. It was so good. Talking to the guy who seated/served us, his mom made it. And that, two coffees and two espressos, less than 10 euros. Nice! So now we are at Dovitel in Perama. The hotel is very pretty, a bit warm though. I tried to get ... read more
June 20th 2008
Actually in Konitsa and have asked for it to be added to the database. A whole load of fantastic scenery today. After a quick blast up the Via Egnatia, amazing in an engineering sense, tunnels, bridges, up into mountains, we took the old highway (E90) from Siatista to Konitsa. This road is fantastic, narrow in places, mountain passes, bends, hairpins, wild scenery, eagles, rivers, and almost n traffic. We stopped and took some photos on the way, which will probably not do justice to the scenery, but never mind. I was able to drift along for 150KM of sheer fun. Ashley was driving so I got to see more of the scenery and the wildlife, like the eagle who flew up beside me, giving me good front and rear views as he caught into the air ... read more
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August 1st 2005
Since I last wrote on the blog several days ago I've been really busy, travelling in Greece, climbing ancient monuments, reading fat books and partying. All shall be accounted for in the following blogs. Ioannina I crossed the border to Greece on the 29th of July. It was far more easy than expected. An hour later I stood at the bus-station in Ioannina where I found myself baking in the sun with my exstremely heavy bagpack. I think the reason it was so easy for me was my very handy EU passport. All my fellow travellers from the bus had to wait in the long line for non-EU citizens. I had no idea for accomondation that night. So I crisscrossed the city in search of three things; a hotel, an internet connection and Harry Potter. First ... read more
April 3rd 2005
Ioannina a Pamvotis tó nyugati partján fekszik, a török uralom idején nőtte ki magát fontos kereskedelmi és kultúrális központtá. Fénypontjét talán Ali pasa uralkodása idején érte el. Ma is fontos egyetem található itt, de nem a városban magában, hanem a városon kívül, így a diákok teljesen el vannak szeparálva a központtól. Helen, az észt lány jött ide tanulni a szalonikai nyelvkurzus után, de nem sok jót nem tudott mondani. Egyébként állandóan Szalonkiben hesszelt, mert az órái nem angolul voltak, ezért nem kellett bejárnia, mert midenhova esszéket kellett írnia, és a barátai meg mind ott voltak, nem Ioaninában. Ioannina amúgy szép hely, főleg a tó meg a kis sziget teszi különlegessé, de összességében nem éreztem magam olyan jól Ioanninában. Életem legbüdösebb hotelében aludtam itt. Vagyis nem volt olyan büdös, de... read more
