Patras
- Stilida (Autumn 2005)
In
the meaning the way to the new bridge will be signed we do not investigate
it and now we see it was a mistace. We follow the signs "By-pass",
but it is only the right way till we are leaded to a little side street. Later,
with daylight we know to follow this signs only as long as we are on the grear
street to Athen. There not turn right but follow the mainstreet on to the
highway, there the first exit (signed with "Bridge") and then you
have to follw the mainstreet.
A
crossing about the new bridge which connects Patras and the mainland is worthwhile.
1.60 euros for a motorcycle is to be paid in the mainland-sided part of the
bridge (in 2005). Because it goes about the quite windy bridge always straight
ahead and we are on the move in this time the only ones, the look may wander
quietly on occasion upwards and lose itself in the huge rope construction.
In Nafpaktos in the harbour promenade we get from a friendly waitress, just
sweeping the foliage between the tables, coffee, although the bar has still
closed.
After our good breakfast we can take the
goof known street to Itea. On approx. 100 kms nothing is wrong and we
can enjoy the gentle, wide curves in early morning coolness so properly.
In Itea boxing masthead is announced. While to the second breakfast in the
small gas station we observe distrustfully the deep-dark grey cloud which
hangs before the town over the sea and slowly turns on itself. Nevertheless,
she remains where she is and this pleases us, because our way leads us in
the mountains.
We follow first the signposts to Delfi, however, keep soon to the left to
Lamia. The distance relatively harmlessly looking on the map turns out from
Amfissa to a nice mountain road with many curves and very much broadly developed
sweeping, in the beginning we can enjoy it also fully. However, in the mountaintops
there are suddenly thick rain clouds which do not leave us from her humid
contents spared hang. Thus we reduce - in recollection of our fall after a
rain on our second GR trip - the tempo to 40 - 50 km/h, the trucks let pass
at favorable places and the curves jog quite warily downhill.
On the parking bays some passenger cars and LKWs have really stopped and wait
for the downpour. It is also for two-lane very dangerously in Greece to go
on wet streets.
To Bralos the street becomes broader, so that we can use the breakdown lane
for our journey in the snail tempo like the Greek.
The weather also does not calm down in the level. After a risqué manoeuvre
on the inlet without traffic light in the coastal motorway it goes along Lamia
further to Stylida, where approx. 3 kms after the town the camping Paras lies,
nevertheless, we leave there and further drive to the camping 500 m away named
interstation, what should turn out as the right decision.
In the camping Paras is in accordance with the info of other campers in September
nothing more loose. Indeed, the gate was opened before the entrance, but in
accordance with internet he is closed from the end of August.
Camping
Interstation has a quite level entrance and the main way is concreted.
All year round he is opened, the restaurant and the Mini-Market are closed
from the middle of September. For self-caterers a visit of the Lidl supermarket
is announced in Stylida. For the more undemanding the gas station offers a
small assortment of all those things which one needs to life on the interstation.
In the C. interstation is a long beach and there should be - as in Kamena
Vourla - health-supporting water.
But
back to our arrival...
When we come to the camping site, the police is standing before the gate.
Men of the Greek executive only want to know from which land we are coming,
then we may drive. In the next hours the men increase in blue and a little
better adjusted in Black. In the later afternoon approx. 50 demonstrators
come to the gate of the camping site. It should concern neo-Nazis who wanted
to organize a meeting on the camping interstation, and to those the entry
was kept. Now they protest against it. The situation is curious.
We, the tourists of the camping site, may not take photos. The demonstrators do not ask for it and do it. The policemen leave them. Than we also briefly shoot from the cover.
In view of the police detachment comparatively 1: 1 the demonstrators see the hopelessness of her demand and depart after some songs and slogans again.
The police stays
her, remains, and in different distances they go about the camping site and
represents presence. Also during the night. At next day we visit the tavern
from gasoline station. There are ca. 30 man of police with cafe frappée.
The rest of half a group of one hundred watches on the lawn between reception
and gate.
During
the time, we are on Camping Interstation, it was probably the most sure in
completely Greece.
But attention if you wants to leave the place in the direction of Lamia (on
the left bending). You will cross the double line and it is not so good if
the police is there. Then in case of need first turn right and above the next
parking lot turn back; if they also stand there, further up to the hotel.
Also we might do the detour above the hotel parking lot when we leave the
camping interstation again.
