Greece - Gulf of Korinthos, Spilia and Trizonia.

The beauty of the Grecian coast is slowly revealing itself to us. You see postcards and hear stories but nothing compares to going there and experiencing it for yourself. Perhaps more so in the low season because you do not have the crowds.

 

Rio-Antirrio bridge over the Gulf of Corinth

 

I started this post of the Blog deliberately with another picture of the bridge over the Gulf of Corinth near the towns of Patras and Nafpaktos simply because of its beauty in design.

The pictures below of dawn breaking on the horizon were taken from where Fifi the motorhome was parked in Spilia. This was our view on four consecutive mornings! 



Dawn at 07:19 over the Gulf of Corinth ....

.... and looking the other way, the island of Trizonia.

The island of Trizonia is the largest in the Gulf of Korinthos and has a population of less than 100. Popular with 'yachties' and a lovely village square on the harbour pier with a handful of tavernas makes for an idyllic setting. It is reached from the mainland by water taxi taking all of 5 minutes.

The same view as above at 19:47, at last light. The lit up area is the village square and harbour pier, where a handful of tavernas are located.

We took the midday water taxi (1Euro per person) and went to have a look. Speaking to a retired German yacht owner on board, he said Trizonia has not lost its charm and is not swamped by tourists in summer. They currently used it as winter anchorage with short hops when the mood takes them. They've sailed the Baltic and western Med and now only do the eastern Med. Walking around the yacht harbour, which is a completely different entity to the taxi / trade pier, most pleasure and fishing boats were Greek registered with some from England and a few being lived on - motorhomes on the sea! Some folk were having a bite on their boats, others were reading or just sitting with a drink. Ever heard the saying 'messing around on boats'? That too was in evidence, not mentioning beards, old T-shirts and well worn denims.
We had a look around some of the little side alleys leading off the main square and found a quietness only possible on a small island such as this. There are very few vehicles, what's the point, I think we saw 10 or so and all were clapped out utility type transport.
We indulged in a glass of chilled Greek white wine served at a tavern overlooking the pier, the sea and the mountains beyond, whilst waiting for our 2pm water taxi back to the mainland. Not easy this kind of life .... !

Waiting for the departure to Trizonia

White and blue the colours of Greece

Thriving in the sunshine

Looking across to the mainland - Fifi centre right.

The 'honeysuckle' to pump out septic tanks parked above the yacht harbour

A very Greek scene

Water taxi and harbour pier

Yes ... yes ... yes

Looking east along the beach road in Spilia

A wonderfully sunny few days on the Gulf of Korinthos, at a lazy leisurely pace and all in all four nights spent parked right there where you see Fifi the motorhome next to the roadside in the picture above. The low season, very little traffic with few people around ensuring quality free camping which will be long remembered.