Crispy finds a new Greek Love affair

 Kalamata. Home of the Olive and second most populous city in the Peloponnese. We really had no idea of what to expect from this place prior to arriving here. It’s not a popular tourist spot for anyone other than the Greeks themselves. It is a cosmopolitan city doing what cities do. I was really worried that it would be a one hit wonder and at best a two night stay. I didn’t think there would be enough here to fill our days.

I was wrong. It is an amazing place and one that should be on everyone’s travel radar. Crispy loves it and is having a great time. It has everything you could want as a place of interest. The historic centre with its collection of narrow streets and quaint tavernas. Archeology and castles. Medieval churches and 18th century palaces that now serve as museums. The thriving modern centre with its collection of shops and bars. Lastly a long clean beach that extends the entire width of the city from the port to the city outskirts. The place feels young, fresh and vibrant. Crispy hit the nail on the head when she described it as a Greek Barcelona. I agree and after visiting both places definitely prefer here. It’s compact, friendly and incredibly clean. None of the previous can be applied to Barcelona. For me the major attraction is the trains. (I love the trains and true to her word crispy allowed me an hour in the park playing with my engine. The kid was there again but I told him to go away or face the consequences. I could have easily taken him if the need for violence arose. He was at least four).

I make no apology for yet more train pictures

We had a lie in, breakfasted and set out for the beach. There is a small bus that operates a circular route from the centre to the beach. It costs 1 euro per trip and if you were so inclined you could ride it all day for the one euro ticket. Needless to say the bus is operated by the city and has nothing to do with our arch nemesis Ktel.

We strolled to the beach. Crispy was keen to get her steps in. It was clean and in places tree covered. People were just chilling in the shade. Having picnics or just sat in small groups chatting. We lay in the shade and enjoyed being busy doing nothing. Sometimes the days where you are run off your feet with nothing to do and no one to see are the best. We lay, read and chatted. It was lovely and very relaxing.

The temperature today climbed to a high of 39 degrees. Tomorrow is forecast to be the same or hotter.

One of the other redeeming factors of this city is the cycle ways. Every road, square and park has brilliant cycle routes. Clearly defined and very well organised. It seems most people here cycle as the roads are really quiet. We decided that tomorrow we will hire bicycles. Crispy loves a good ride and is an accomplished bipedalist.  We are going to try and cycle to Avis. The next small village down the coast. We have been told it is pretty and the beach is perfect for swimming. Crispy is once more excited at the prospect of a bike ride and is at this very moment routing in her backpack for her padded gussets. 

Bare and Crispy, on a roof with a glass of wine, watching the sun set over Kalamata.