Gitcha Greek On

We got our Greek on last weekend.  Two days in Halkidiki exploring the beaches around Vourvourou and eating fresh seafood and amazing grilled haloumi by the water, then a night in Thessaloniki exploring the big smoke.

It is a fairly well worn path, the trip from Kosovo to Greece on the weekends. Even though it is about a 5 hour drive to Thessaloniki and then a further hour or so down into the 'second finger' of Halkadiki, some people have been making the trip every weekend in summer.

This was our first weekend trip and the first time ever for me in Greece.

I get it now!

I want to go back!!

In the amazing waters of Karidi Beach

Fava Beach, where the sand glitters with gold.  Really!
We couldn't figure out what it was, but it was amazing.
Like little flecks of glitter that sparkle when
you kick up a cloud of sand in the water

The sea must be super salty because it was really really easy to float.
My balloon belly probably helped with the buoyancy.

We drove down further into the peninsula to a place called Sarti,
where there are pandanus umbrellas on the beach and cold cocktails.

Then up to Thessaloniki

Where we found this pirate ship at sunset

And next minute found ourselves on board for a drink and sunset cruise.
Daggy, but cheap and lots of fun.

Romain regales me with tales from his seafaring days

A flock of seagulls came racing out to boat as we left the dock.

Turns out they were after the peanuts.

We saw this thing on one of the docks.  Not sure what it is, but I like it.

A balloon lady on the Thessaloniki boardwalk.

Adding more colour to what was already a pretty radiant sunset.