Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Thessaloniki, Greece

I have entered into Greece, the last country to visit on the Balkan Peninsula.  I am kind of glad to be out of the former Yugoslavia. There were wonderful parts, but more parts that were depressing.  Greece, although in the midst of a severe financial crisis, is still much better off than Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia.  If you were unaware of the news of the financial collapse you would be unaware of the financial collapse.  Life seems to be progressing here as normal.  The only indication that I can find of the collapse are the rents.  I am renting upscale homes, in prime locations with seaside views, for $20-$25 a day.  A bit of travel savvy I have learned in my years, bargains abound in countries with failed economies.  Just make sure the government in still in control of the country.

My first stop is Thessaloniki for some rest and relaxation.  The months and months of end-on-end travel is getting the better of me.  I am going to need some extended rest, and this is not a bad place to start.



While in Greece, I will be faced with the task of figuring out how to get through the Middle East.  Turkey looks like it may be easing up, but Iran is becoming even more of an issue.  It also seems as though the US is starting to put pressure on Pakistan, and of course, they will return in kind, and visas will be difficult to obtain there too.  C'est la vie.  The plane is starting to look like the only option.  

Stage Distance: 152 mi (244 km)
Total Distance Traveled: 21,584 mi (34,684 km) 
Countries/Territories Visited: USA, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada, Portugal, Spain, MoroccoGibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Transnistria, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece





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