//Day 42 /22-04-22 /Volos-Loutra Aidhipsou

Today was a semi-rest day…around 85 K cycling. Yesterday evening when walking home I discovered that the streets behind the promenade were packed with restaurants and bars, the small streets and terraces where full of people going out on ….coffee products. An Orthodox Church I passed was full of people and out of it’s PA system beautiful singing could be heard (This weekend the Orthodox Church celebrates Eastern). I entered the church and listened some time to the male choir. Somewhat a strange experience as outside modern music was blasting on most of the terraces. Another (less) strange experience was that I bought a 1,5 Liter water bottle for 18 cent…how is it possible to make a profit on a 18 cent water bottle ….

As to be expected music and noise continued well into the night. I slept quite light and woke early. At 7.30 I was already cycling.

The first 25 K was mostly cycling on a bigger road with no traffic with an “okish” scenery. The views became better when I took “the special road”……

At a certain moment a cyclist on a race bike passed by and we started talking. George, the cyclist, was visiting family in Volos and made use of the visit  to make cycling tour in the area. George is an account manager, cyclist fan, living In Thessaloniki with his wife and 3 month old son . George joined me for a good while whilst we talked about life, the Greek economy, cycling and explaining him the concept of “valse platte”. It was great for once to have some conversation along the way.  

Today I had to climb 2 hills and George joined me climbing the first one. Although the top was only 300 meters high it was a feisty climb. I was happy to reach the top in eco-mode only though. The view on the top over the sea and mountains where as beautiful as George had promised. I said goodbye to George and cycled to Glyfa where I would take the ferry. 

I arrived 1 hour early for the ferry to Agiokampos on the island of the Island Evia. I used the time to have a drink, buy something to eat in the bakery and queue for my ticket (3 euro). When it was time to board I cycled Black Horse on the ferry and took a seat in the lounge. After 30 minutes I embarked in Agiokampos and started cycling the 15 K to a small village at the coast where I would spend the night. 

When I arrived at Loutra the open terraces where full of people having lunch. I quickly found a hotel, and after some negotiation  I secured a hotel room with seaview and a balcony. The sunny weather inspired me to have an ice cream. The short walk along the promenade revealed that Loutra is again a touristy place in the summer. A lot of bars and restaurants already in operation but with most hotels still closed. After my ice cream supported walk I returned to my balcony to read some time and a have power nap to compensate my lack of sleep of last night. Dinner will be an easy task as there are plenty of taverna’s open….if the electricity outage in the village is restored by tonight….

I also checked for accommodation in Chalkida (the town with bridge to get of the island) and to my surprise almost no hotels in my standard budget range  were available..(I assume caused by the Eastern weekend). Eventually I found an hotel with a room available somewhat out of my budget range…

I’m looking forward to cycle the 100 K to Chalkida, a lot of climbing but most of the route via smaller roads…The day after, Sunday, I will cycle to Athens, the most southern point of my Balkan tour.

Lessons learned :

• “Valse platte” is difficult to pronounce for a Greek but not to experience
• It’s nice to have a day cycling with not to much distance
• And suddenly the electricity was back. Hallelujah! 

Song of the day : Youme & Meyou - Einsturzende Neubauten