As predicted, it could easily become a habit….another relaxed start to the day in the comforts of Maison Grecque.
After getting pretty much all organised to depart I headed out into the streets of Patras to pay the 1.40€ unpaid toll from when I arrived into Greece on the first toll road and also arrange a pre-paid SIM.
I found a branch of the appropriate bank and deposited the princely sum of 1.40€ into the correct account. Surely they should allow international motorcyclists to travel for free on the toll roads - all we do is slow down everyone else taking off our gloves, finding our wallets and coins, paying the toll and putting back on our gloves before taking off again. Just a thought.
Next I found Vodafone and picked up a pre-paid SIM, with some extra credit for 20€. If you want you can call/text on the following (for the time being….): +30 6940 720299
Packed and ready to depart Maison Grecque
I had spoken to the staff, and based on the morning's weather, I had inserted the waterproof lining despite the reasonably warm temperature for departure. I headed off from Patras predictably hot and sweaty in the slow speeds and traffic.
As I was carefully negotiating the traffic and stopped at the lights a bus ran into me.
Seriously, a bus ran into me.
Luckily it was only a little bump and I was stable on the road with both feet down. Although we both stopped I imagine he thought there was no damage done and he had a bus load of passengers so he slowly fled the scene.
I got off to inspect the damage and the bus fled...
There were a few spots of rain along the way out of Patras and not enough to cool me down or become a real inconvenience. After getting out of Patras I rode for around 20km in fairly solid rain. Based on a little wheel spin previously in the rain I took care the entire time.
From Patras to Olympia - still a little wet on the road
I arrived into Ancient Olympia around 2pm in the afternoon and confirmed the ruins closing time as being the usually early 3pm at the first campground. Obviously I was not knocking them over in the next hour so I needed to stay somewhere.
I checked both campgrounds that were on my list to as options in Olympia. It seems I am fair-weather camper since I didn't like the idea of hard, yet mud-slick ground or mud and gravel for camping, so I headed into town to see the hotel options I had put down.
I took shelter while it rained at one of the campgrounds - not a good sign.
After a quick ride around the small township I chose Hotel Kronio which was quite good, although in some ways a bit expensive after the deal I had secured in Patras.
After checking-in and getting some of the motorbike gear washed and sorted I was ready to see what the township had to offer.
I had a quick and simple late lunch before looking around town some more. As I wandered the street(s) and inspected the shops I was a little surprised to notice quite a lot of Athens 2004 Olympic Memorabilia in the shops.
It was obvious that Olympia relies on the Ancient Olympia ruins and the tourist trade almost solely for its survival. There is not much else there.
When I was almost back to the hotel I picked up a pair of leather sandals, which makes them my first 'real' purchase on the trip - and I already had too much gear….
Ancient Olympia was very quiet and after dinner it was a reasonably early night.
Ruins and departure tomorrow.