Mousy mooches around Greece.. (1 Viewer)

[PhilandMena]

We only purchased a one way ticket as we will be driving back via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. The cost of a single ticket from Ancona - Patras (23hrs sailing time) was 260 euros.
Enjoy your time in Greece.

Pete

May I ask who you booked your crossing with, and how far in advance of your crossing.

 

[Tykatem]

May I ask who you booked your crossing with, and how far in advance of your crossing.

We booked soon as the crossings became known/available in early January direct through ANEK using the their Smart Bonus Program.

https://www.anek.gr/en/

Pete

 

[Oscar]

Looks like you're having a fabulous trip @Mousy - thanks for posting - enjoy!!

We're looking at doing this trip next year, so following with interest, thanks

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[ianthebuilder]

Smashing looking trip mousey,, enjoy! X

 

[JonP]

We are going to Greece next year, so really useful info.
Thanks Mousey

 

[Mousy]

Our last night at Ionion Blue camping..

We enjoyed a meal in the restaurant, grilled vegetables, Greek salad and plenty of griddled meat, some ouzo’s and water was €33. Quite expensive we thought but we’ve had 3 free nights camping, with water, rubbish bins and toilets (inc cassette emptying) plus beach sunbeds and umbrellas in a lovely quiet olive grove so overall great value. Yannis the son of the owner whose name we can’t pronounce had been so friendly and welcoming, he often gave us free coffees or ouzo too. Highly recommended if you are down this way.

Pitch where you like.

As we left for a final walk on the beach yannis whispered in Martins ear...
“What did he say” I asked “he says if I’d had dessert I’d make love ...better...” replies Martin.

I’m hoping something was lost in translation there

Millie sniffed out this Dead Sea turtle, made me quite sad, hopefully it died of old age and not plastic.

We’ve seen some lovely sunsets from the beach.

And after an ouzo or 2 I was ready to see if Yannis’s prediction was correct...

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[DBK]

I doubt that turtle died of old age - far too small.

 

[Mousy]

I doubt that turtle died of old age - far too small.

I know it was about 2 and half feet long.

We were lucky enough to see live ones in Mexico in January and Vietnam in March.

We’ve walked with a grabber and bag along beaches here picking up the rubbish...there is just so much of it.

This was an hours worth..

 

[DBK]

I know it was about 2 and half feet long.

We were lucky enough to see live ones in Mexico in January and Vietnam in March.

We’ve walked with a grabber and bag along beaches here picking up the rubbish...there is just so much of it.

This was an hours worth..
View attachment 304676

Having consulted Google and now become an instant turtle expert I think it is (or was) a Loggerhead turtle. The photograph in the link below shows an elongated plate at the high point of the shell, which your turtle has. The only other turtle it could be is a Green turtle but all the plates on its back are hexagonal in shape. The loggerhead breeds in Greece and according to another link I found the average size of Loggerheads in the Mediterranean is just 75cm, which is exactly the size of yours. I thought it was smaller judging by the tyre tracks. The third Mediterranean turtle is the Leatherback which grow to a huge size but looks completely different.

http://www.aquaticlifelab.eu/3-6-sea-turtle-species-in-the-mediterranean-sea/

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[Mousy]

Thanks @DBK thats interesting and I think you are right.

We only took 2 quick snaps, I should put Martin’s size 11 feet in for scale!

 

[hilldweller]

I should put Martin’s size 11 feet in for scale!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm - FUN's own Yeti.

 

[Mousy]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm - FUN's own Yeti.

Not quite as hairy thankfully..

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[JonP]

We booked soon as the crossings became known/available in early January direct through ANEK using the their Smart Bonus Program.

https://www.anek.gr/en/

Pete

We are looking for crossing 2020 do the rates become available in January

 

[DBK]

Thanks @DBK thats interesting and I think you are right.

We only took 2 quick snaps, I should put Martin’s size 11 feet in for scale!

View attachment 304692

I suppose with a bit of gallows humour we can conclude it didn't die from being run over....

 

[Chris]

@Mousy i never eat dessert.

Which might explain a lot

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[fullfat]

Loggerheads are found all over that region and have many nesting beaches including Zakynthos where they are protected and there is a Turtle Sanctuary on the Island

 

[Offagain]

We booked soon as the crossings became known/available in early January direct through ANEK using the their Smart Bonus Program.

https://www.anek.gr/en/

Pete

Whereas on 16 April we booked a one way crossing for 29 April and paid £302. Plus our first choice of departure port (Ancona) wasn’t available so we had to drive to Bari instead. Which is no hardship but put another day on our trip.
However, we don’t like booking months in advance and being tied down so this suited us.

 

[Tykatem]

We are looking for crossing 2020 do the rates become available in January

Yes the routes and fares are published early January. The Ancona route is very popular and books up fast. We booked on 15th Jan ( to take advantage of the early booking discount) and the earliest we could get a crossing for was 6th June. The camping on board is available from 01.04.18 up to 31.10.18. You can spend the entire crossing in the comfort of your own motorhome while taking advantage of their on board showers, WCs and 220-volt power outlets. Furthermore, you can have access to all public areas on board, such as bars, restaurants, etc.

Pete

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[Offagain]

Yes the routes and fares are published early January. The Ancona route is very popular and books up fast. We booked on 15th Jan ( to take advantage of the early booking discount) and the earliest we could get a crossing for was 6th June. The camping on board is available from 01.04.18 up to 31.10.18. You can spend the entire crossing in the comfort of your own motorhome while taking advantage of their on board showers, WCs and 220-volt power outlets. Furthermore, you can have access to all public areas on board, such as bars, restaurants, etc.

Pete

I looked at the Anek site yesterday after reading this thread to try to get an idea how much our return trip sometime around 7 July would be. It didn’t give the option of camping on board. Plus the website seems to have changed since I booked in April.
Then we went out to eat so I lost interest! But I’ll have another look today.

 

[Tykatem]

I looked at the Anek site yesterday after reading this thread to try to get an idea how much our return trip sometime around 7 July would be. It didn’t give the option of camping on board. Plus the website seems to have changed since I booked in April.
Then we went out to eat so I lost interest! But I’ll have another look today.

If there's no option for camping on board it's probably because that facility is fully booked. Try emailing them via their website.

Pete

 

[PhilandMena]

I spoke with Anek this morning. I was told to wait for the special offers that would appear on their website in December. This would also be the best time to book a crossing for April. The camping option on deck would also be available at that time.

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[Oscar]

Thanks for that @PhilandMena - sounds like a plan a few of us are looking at!

 

[Lenny HB]

We used Miloan lines they don't do camping on deck any more but do a camping package (only for Caravans & Motorhomes) you get a free inside two berth cabin and 30% of main meals. They also have EHU on the car decks.

 

[Offagain]

We used Miloan lines they don't do camping on deck any more but do a camping package (only for Caravans & Motorhomes) you get a free inside two berth cabin and 30% of main meals. They also have EHU on the car decks.

I did hear Minoan were offering that, I'll take a look, thanks

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[Mousy]

Lovely big car park with water and bins on this little harbour (free) we thought we’d lucked out..

Fabulous views, friendly locals, either fishing or walking, we settled down for the night...then the barking started, 6 big dogs all roaming around the harbour and our van!
Woof woof woof...pause...yap yap ...pause...woof woof..you get the idea, all bloody night! I swear when one dog stopped at least 2 more started, it was as if they had a job to do, bark constantly and they were not going to fail...honestly one of our worse nights ever. Martin had enjoyed an ouzo so we couldn’t move, but lesson learned, if dogs are around move on...

 

[cliffanger]

Portuguese dogs are far more chilled ...

Shepherd dogs that slept around the van all day till the farmer herded his cows past the van upon which they leapt into action!

 

[pjay]

Hiya, assuming you're at Lechaina Port as listed on my map. If you move south a few kms there are 2 nice spots at Kalamia Beach. First @ 37.88925 21.11196 - Second @ 37.87392 21.10777

Lots of wild dogs in Greece, you'll get used to them.

Pete

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[Lenny HB]

Dogs are everywhere in Greece you get use to them. We were parked on one beach and every time a car came down the road 4 or 5 dogs would chase it barking their heads off. During the day they would laze around the van one used to curl up on the step.

 

[PhilandMena]

For those of you, like me who are planning their first trip to Greece next year, you may find this helpful.
http://www.magbaztravels.com/content/view/70/30/

 

[Mousy]

Spent last night here on the beach opposite where the cruise lines come in.
Plenty of parking next to the taverna, big beach but not pretty. Woken up by wolves howling!! and the sprinkler from that very green grass hitting the van every revolution for 30 minutes at 6.00am.


Got to Olympia early to miss the crowds, worth checking if the cruise ships are in and visiting the same day, as there were 20 coaches arriving just as we left.
€12 each for the site and 2 museums.
No dogs allowed but plenty of strays wandering around...

We took an unintentional detour up the mountains then down to this lovely beach..
Entrance through the village is tight but doable and then the road to beach is fine.

Large car park (free) only a few other vans and no facilities but there is a beach bar getting ready to open so will enquire tomorrow about water and cassette emptying.

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