Last Week in Greece – Camper Van Adventures, New Friends & the Journey to Turkey
We decided to pay a quick visit to Zampetas, the camper van store we mentioned earlier. One of our roof windows had developed cracks and, being so close, it felt like the right moment to replace it. Luckily, they were able to repair it the same day. We kept ourselves entertained browsing through the camper shop while we waited.
A Scenic Lunch Stop and a Chance Encounter
The next day, we covered quite a few kilometers. We stopped to enjoy lunch at a beautiful scenic spot, but didn’t feel comfortable staying overnight. That evening, we arrived at a small camping site and, not long after, a motorcycle with Dutch plates pulled in behind us. It turned out to be Marcel from Spijkenisse—a crazy coincidence, as we knew some of the same people.
When he walked towards the camp store, we invited him to join us for dinner. The girls instantly adored him. It’s amazing how they often take their time to warm up to people, but sometimes they connect instantly. Marcel is traveling all the way to Mongolia—a truly long journey ahead.
Beach Days and Bike Rides
We stayed at the campsite for two nights. One morning, Mirre took some time to work while Johan took the girls for a bike ride. They explored an old ruin and discovered a dead sea turtle on the beach. In the afternoon, we cherished some relaxing beach time. The girls couldn’t get enough of their bikes—especially Diede, who had completely mastered her balance bike. It’s both thrilling and terrifying to watch her confidently zoom downhill. Meanwhile, Jinte is already cycling with one hand—such a proud moment!
Our Final Stop in Greece
We continued on to our final campsite in Greece. On the way, we made stops at the local Jumbo (a Greek version of the Action store) and Lidl to stock up on essentials. Again, we stayed two nights. Our campsite neighbors were two Dutch couples—one on their way to Turkey, the other just returning from there. We shared travel tips over a morning coffee and enjoyed a bit of communal camper life.
That afternoon, heavy rain hit hard, and unfortunately, two of our windows started leaking again. It’s frustrating, but we’re hardly stressed about it anymore. Johan plans to fix the leaks properly when we reach a sunny place, using some sealant and patience.
End of a Chapter – Heading Towards Turkey
We squeezed in a visit to a local playground while Johan went for a run. It feels a bit surreal to leave Greece behind. We’ve spent more time in Greece on this trip than on our entire previous journey. Incredible!
This morning, we decided to head to Edirne in Turkey first—it’s nearby and likely a place we won’t get to visit again soon. Unfortunately, our dog Goos isn’t allowed to cross the border at our planned route, so we now have to reroute through Bulgaria. A bit of a hassle, but such is van life. First, a quick sandwich break. Part of the road ahead was flooded, so we had to detour.
Next stop: Turkey! Let the new chapter begin.
