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e-Road Trip to sail Greece
  • TheTakenWorld

e-Road Trip to sail Greece

This is a trip about starting a new chapter in my life. Experience the beauty of slow travels!
No plane. Only 👣 🚙 🏍️ ⛴️ ⛵️ Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 29, 2022
    TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    We call it FrExit

    August 29, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    All this trip starts with a good bye, well thinking about it, actually every trip starts with a good bye. But this one was different.
    Let me start at the beginning first, leaving Ambra 🐶
    When arrived at the office I had this very last good morning with my team, though just some of them in house as the team distributed around the world and some on PTO that was the first time saying good morning for the last time in this constellation.
    Leaving the company feels wrong, as you actually break up with people you don’t want to break up with.
    Hard.
    Now after a typical day with end to end meetings we all together - and some more - went to a Peru restaurant and spent this first last evening all together and so many joined.
    And all the nice things they gave me and all the nice words or gestures.
    Touched.
    Missing all!    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    And I am on the road

    August 30, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    After getting up so early last night, I decided to kick it off easily this that morning. Tried to sleep a bit longer, went for a run on the treadmill and .. most importantly took care of the car. Brought it to my favourite car cleaners at MyZeil Parking. Mean while, went for a delicious plant based lunch. The first couple of hundred kilometres went quit smooth (post-writing this, I feel good to say that) only issue is that the Audi MMI kept on rebooting a dozen times. Thought because of the heat, tried to call Audi and guess what they still seem to have my number blocked / or forward it by default to unwilling and unqualified personal. Anyways, didn’t got them and found out later, that the reason is probably because of a heavy route I have calculated.
    So.. nice things, when being on the highway I remembered that Audi has this Audi Charging Hub located in Nürnberg and I always wanted to visit this. Since, Nürnberg was on my route and charging is always a good idea, I added this is as a stop over. Quiet impressive building and nice decorated, clean and some selected drinks to buy. That’s it then :)

    While passing thru Bavaria I did eventually another stop at a fast charger where i got to talk to a guy who realised that I am from far-far-away and that far-far-away is the area where Warsteiner Beer is produced. I told him that most people avoid Warsteiner in my area.
    So.. Austria, you really have to get this old school sticker for the Maut. Slovenia is way advanced here. Go to the petrol station, buy a ticket and with that your numbers are registered and your car is identified by that.
    Also in Austria you have the chance to get in contact with locals when you are on a drive thru - when you stop over at a charger.

    My plan originally was to head to Slovenia and find a nice place to stay, due to the delayed start, ended up in Graz where I got a kind off a Airbnb room to stay. Well, friendly people, but from that time on I prefer hotels.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Off to the Balkan

    August 31, 2022 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    hm, did I mention, that EV driving is a quiet social thing? Talked with a Tesla driver for a while at a charging park close to Graz. Never talked with an Austrian person before.

    Did not sleep well, that Booking.com apartment was not too bad, though the smell in the bath room was disgusting and that brought me to the road earlier than planned.

    Oh talking about the apartment, the keys I had to get from a locker which was located at a bicycle stand and to get the key, I had to enter a number code. The car I had to park in an underground parking which was located across the street. CheckIn took a while and all those instruction came via WhatsApp, did you ever had Siri reading a WhatsApp message with only Pictures and videos. Don’t it drives you crazy.

    After leaving the keys in a mailbox, I went for a quick charge in Graz, had a petrol station, prepared my Match Tea with Hot Water from the friendly guy from the petrol station and went on the road and let it roll.

    Next steps at lunch time was already Croatia.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    From here we charge slow

    August 31, 2022 in Serbia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    You remember the last charging stop at Shell in Croatia? That was pretty much the last HPC (High Performance Charger) from there on I was happy to get CCS 50 kWh if at all.
    Well, the route is the journey, right. Have simple lunch while charging and getting some unfiltered sun drive the car with a spectacular range of almost 400 km. Insane, at home, I can only reach 250 km max on the highway. With the empty streets and average speed of about 115 km/h more range is possible.
    Really frustrating was though the situation in Serbia with the free HPC charger on the mount routes. Literally non of them was working for me and even the paid ones did not work, that resulted in unplanned hotel stays which offer AC (11 kWh) chargers which is fast enough to charge full over night. Though, very very stressful when you run out of range and no chargers are in reach. Tesla Chargers are not available for non Tesla cars in Serbia, so I took remaining necessary range from a AC charger at Ikea. That charging time using for calling all hotels in Belgrade which listed with EV Chargers at Booking.com. Luckily I did call them, as some of them did not offer even though listed.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Another day in Serbia

    September 1, 2022 in Serbia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    The hotel in Belgrade was really nice, not cheap but definitely worth it. Very nice and clean and friendly staff. It was raining though and hence I did not have the chance to enjoy Belgrade. Ordered some food from Wolt and next morning went to the gym for a quick run. Expecting that the bad day of EV chargers was gone.
    Before getting on the road some one wanted to drive an EV. Super ok for me, because the entrance and exit of the underground parking of the hotel was - lets say - spectacular. See the video.

    Assuming that the journey would go smooth from now on was a false expectation.
    After fighting for an hour with another HPC Charger (paid) at OMV, and a nice chat with a UK family.. Well they were super cool. Couple, Baby, Dog and did a two months trip thru Europe including Turkey, Balkans and others with a BMW iX3. Ah yea, fighting with the charger, called the hotline, called Audi. Nobody could help. Found another CCS 50 kWh charger on the go which would bring me to the border of Serbia to Skopje, but then? Met Bulgarians at the charger and talked a bit. Anyways, I needed to find another charger prior crossing the boarder as I expected to have no chargers in Skopje (North Macedonia).

    Oh and there was this Armageddon rain, see video.

    So luckily there is this awesome hotel in the middle of nowhere, probably they let me charge if I eat at their restaurant or pay the electricity. I assumed, calling them this wouldn’t be the fact. I was really pissed, searched for other opportunities, but nothing. Well, booked and drove in. The hotel was huge. Very high standard and clean. Friendly staff. Food nice. And.. a perfect Gym. So, second run that day :)    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Crossing Skopje

    September 2, 2022 in North Macedonia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Fully charged and well rested heading towards the Border to Skopje. You may realise that I call it Skopje and not North Macedonia - this is due to the fact I was told now many times, that the Greek do not want to hear that. So get used to this. ;)

    Arriving there, there was a dog and many others. This one, I wanted to give a snack, it was not interested, but throughout the entire time, focusing the snack I put down for it.

    The border crossing was smooth, maybe 15 minutes waiting. I was quiet optimistic that the job was done. But.. there is always a but.. my European Insurance Proof was required. Shoot. I got it from my insurance, sure thing. But already while packing the car I was not sure where I have left it. It was mandatory to enter Skopje though. Luckily the border control officer had a exceptional day and excepted my digital copy which I found in my mails. No idea what would be the other option.. Luckily I did not need to care anymore.

    Next, sometimes, I think I am a little genius :D
    But first things first. Actually I wanted to visit Skopje City, but driving through it did not feel like a place I need to spend more time. But what’s about quick re-charge? Nothing, after google maps routed me to a nowhere dead end where a free but slow ProCredit Charger was supposed to be located, I decided to take care of the things happening on my own. So, why not searching for the next Porsche / Audi Dealer in the capital city. Surely they have chargers, don’t they? Google Maps did not indicate any, but zooming all the way in.. I saw something. Can you see it too?

    HPC Charger! :) :) unbelievable. Well, they charge EUR 20,00 flat, even though I only needed 10 kWh. Met people from the Netherlands who were going towards Belgrade, probably they were also genius :D

    Since the highway is so not busy in Skopje, I took this nice selfie on the sidestrip.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Welcome to Greece

    September 2, 2022 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    But before we get there, look at this guy on his bicycle on the highway :D
    Border Crossing to Greece, felt like taking ages and also hoping that after being 4 days on the road I would get to Athens today - that should not happen, close by but not arriving that day. Simply because I did not want to keep the family waiting for me until midnight. So I took my time, talked on the Radio with my cousin and found this very cute appartment hotel in Stylida called Tsamadanis.

    But before I got there, this happens when you let the car run on its own and do not react to warning to keep control of the steering wheel. :D The greek toll roads are incredible nice. Empty and well maintained.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    The Wedding day

    September 4, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After arrival in Athens yesterday, nothing much happened, some shopping and hanging out.

    Actually not planned, but sometimes things come together for good and so I could make it to the wedding of a cousin. Nice experience. Meeting people, see family. Nice.Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Kos here we come - well not all at once

    September 7, 2022, Aegean Sea ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Going to Kos Island to meet the crew on Friday for sailing. Pretty much the main reason of going to greece.
    Said, this time no planes and that’s why I chooses the ferry.
    12 hours from Athens Port Piraeus to Kos with Blue Star 2. This monster makes 48 km/h I recommend to check in online latest two hours prior departure, else you need to pick up your ticket onsite and queue - lessons learned from last year.
    This time, all Covid measures are also followed by the crew which I respect a lot.

    Another lessons learned for next time is, if the trip is longer than 8 hours, I will book the bunk in advance. If not booked in advance, one needs to wait until departure and then hope for a free bunk. I got one, but no window and top level below the exhausts. Not too comfortable. Just saying, no issue for me.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Discovering Kos City

    September 8, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    So arrived early in the morning. I love to experience Islands in the very early morning hours. All is quiet and you few busy people who follow their traditional work. Let’s say, the tourism has not waken up by that time and so it is hard to get a taxi. ;) I managed and got to the Hotel. The cab driver though, tried to pick up as many other people as possible on the drive to the hotel :D something you have to accept.
    Arriving there, the story continued. Tourism still as sleep, so I got to chat with the staff of the Hotel. Well, in greek as much as possible as per my abilities. It worked out well. And once again, I realise that what I‘ve learned in my child ages, is still preserved. It felt so good to experience the real people of the island, so friendly and open heard. And they helped me to get my room way earlier than the standard checkin would. So used the time to get a nap from the ferry journey. Checked a couple of restaurants afterwards, kinda disappointed as most of them serve junk food. Just can’t get why they adopt so much to the tourism and do not stay with their roots. Hey, that’s why we come here. But, I should make better experiences later as I decided to do a quick hop to Kalymnos island just for the evening.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Kalymnos #1

    September 9, 2022 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    You may have understood that Kos impression was not that great, too touristic, too busy, too not genuine.
    Kalymnos is different. People are friendly, love their island and take good care of it. Restaurants are authentic and delicious. Kalymnos is a genuine Greek island.Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Waiting to be complete

    September 9, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After hanging a bit on the veranda of the hotel, talking to my new friends eventually the rest of the crew arrived. Some issues to get a taxi for 7 but eventually they did it. You got to know that grabbing a taxi on Kos is an issue during the high season. So better book one 24 prior your appointment.
    While they were on their way from the airport to the Hotel, I organised some refreshments waiting for them ice cooled, surrounded by Zizikia :D they do such a loud noise, especially when it is hot. After checkin we went to this nice beach bar called C Food n Mood, next to the Marina of Kos. Obviously not the greatest location on a Friday, when all the charter boats return from their trips, because they would open the waste tanks prior check in to the marina. Better choose the place wisely - we were lucky though :)
    Had a couple of drinks there and then decided to stay also for the dinner. The food is, I’d call it modern Greek. So quiet nice. Afterwards, went to the city Center of Kos to get a couple of drinks. Some stayed longer, so some almost missed the check out date and the checkin date for the marina. :D Well, nothing unexpected.
    Procedure then as usual, skipper to take over the boat. Well, not as usual, because the agencies insurance did not accept the boat license. It was managed by the agency responsible to be defined as the skipper. So technically we never chartered the boat.
    The other group, and that was really as usual, went to get grocery shopping. Here the supermarket offered - and especially because of the taxi issue - a delivery service at no costs. Respect.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler
    2

    Hoist the sails

    September 10, 2022 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    As expected, Dodecanese Islands have awesome wind and we headed over to Kalymnos. Arrived there we had a nice dinner made on board and hence I was missing the exploring the island thing. So I went on a night hike to this one epic Monasteri somewhere in the mountains, which gave a fabulous view to the port. Epic.Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Macronisia - a night drive

    September 12, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Even though Leros was such a beautiful island, we decided to not sleep there and got on board to sail to Macronisia. A wonderful lonely island 14 nm away from Leros, no people live there. But we saw some goats. No idea how they managed to go there. Can goats swim?Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Patmos here we come

    September 12, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Enjoying the nice wind, before it gets rough. Our sail to Patmos was really nice and arrived there a “traditional” Paella was in the making. Delicious as always. Because I can just not not explore an island full of food I went exploring Patmos. Found a lovely place where you can see the “Magic Rock”, collected some olives and we had the first time kind of flowers on board.
    And then, well, charging electronic devices on board is always a nightmare. First of all, devices batteries seem to drain faster offshore, second, the electricity on board, by generator or shore power is not as powerful as it is like at home. But, that’s fine, some digital detox    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    It is getting rough

    September 13, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    With wind speed of more then 24, we put sails and head to Astypalaia. Well that’s what we planned that morning. Strong wind is one thing, but getting cross waves for hours, and Garmin GPS measured more elevation of more than 12 meters. So sailing felt more like surfing. Even though I enjoyed surfing the boat on the waves, it was kinda scary as you don’t know the limits. With that being said, we made last minute change, seeking for protection of the waves - after more than 4 hours of rough see - behind some islands. And that, that brought us to this wonderful lonely islands called Levitha. Levitha is an island where only 5 humans, and virtually hundreds of goats and sheep live. The Family offers 8 buoys and a small cute restaurant with this “typical” daily menu where you may be lucky to get what you order, or not if its out. So that’s fresh. The family really understands hospitality and I’d always go back there when possible. Next day, we did a short but tough hike to one of the mountains. 140 meters of elevation on a not existing rocky trail.
    We saw the goats and sheep and how they were given water by the farmer. Where the vines grow and also found some interesting crystals and munitions from Second World War.    Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    And Astypalaia

    September 14, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After this nice hike we were ready to head to Astypalaia. Wind and waves were similar like the previous day, but, at least no cross waves and tailwind. So this sail was way more comfortable. Astypalaia is a nice island and the people take good care of the environment. I really appreciate this, because every now and then you realise that this beauty of the Aegean Sea is being destroyed by the many tourists - and that is so sad.Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler

    Heading to Nisiros

    September 15, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    So finally tail wind and perfect conditions for the Gennaker.. With that we had a chill day on the sea and arrived at Nisiros Island at this small village called Paloi. We had with all the boats a nice dinner at a Taverna across the boats and a nice evening. You see I slept in the bunk, as I caught a cold from all the strong wind and hence I decided to have my sleep in a more wind protected area.Read more

  • TheTakenWorlde-Road Trip to sail GreeceTraveler
    1

    The Vulcano - an active one

    September 16, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Special about Nisiros is that it is a volcano which is still active and where you can walk on the crater. Don’t expect any lava, but smoke coming out of earth. To get there, I decided to not party all night long, but go to sleep early and rent a bike next morning. The way to the crater is about 35 minutes all the way the mountain up and the rental shops only open at 8 am, we planned though to get to Kos Marina for topping up fuel that morning at 09:30 - as expected that was not happening on time, which gave me a very short but sufficient window of time to make my trip. See the pictures. Stunning.
    Also, please appreciate my trail run to make it on time back to the boat :D    Read more

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