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Municipality of Messini: A Hidden Gem by the Beach

What a lovely spot! Nestled along the coastline in the beautiful Municipality of Messini, this beachside location has everything we could wish for. There’s the tranquil sea, friendly stray dogs, a cozy playground just around the corner, and fast, reliable internet — perfect for remote working or staying connected while traveling.

Weather Wonders in Messini

What more could anyone ask for? Well… maybe sunshine every day. It’s only the second time during our travels that we’ve had a full day of rain. We really can’t complain, but as you can imagine, this much rain brings some tension. The good news? We’re staying dry! HALLELUJAH! Although we’re slightly hesitant to even write that — you never know what the weather might do next.

Rainy Fun with the Kids

Despite the showers, the kids are having a blast. They absolutely love splashing in the puddles. Diede in particular is enjoying herself immensely — even if she needs a fresh outfit three times a day. At some point we switched her to sandals because her rain boots got too heavy when they filled with water from all her jumping.

Jinte is also in high spirits. She enjoys pretend play and often declares it’s her birthday. She loves singing along with Johan’s tunes and takes great pride in helping us prepare our favorite snack platters. Meanwhile, Diede has discovered a passion for pasta and even creates songs about it.

Playgrounds remain a hit with both girls, and of course, we join them with just as much enthusiasm. Spending quality time together outdoors — rain or shine — continues to be the highlight of our trip.

Sunshine Returns Sooner Than Expected

Though the forecast called for a few gloomy days, it seems they purposely present the weather outlook here a little more pessimistically — perhaps to avoid disappointment. To our delight, the sun came out earlier than predicted, brightening up our stay in Messini once again.

If you’re looking for a place where beach vibes meet family fun — even in the rain — the Municipality of Messini is truly a destination to remember.

Exploring the Municipality of Kalamata on Greek Independence Day

We’re heading to the beautiful city of Kalamata to experience Greek Independence Day. Before making our way to the camper spot at P4N, we stop to do some quick shopping. The area is already bustling with campers — free parking spots near popular cities are always in high demand.

A Rough Start, Then Off to the Parade

The following morning, as we begin our bike ride toward Kalamata, one of the pedals comes off again. Johan reattaches it, but unfortunately, it loosens shortly after — pretty frustrating! We continue on toward the parade taking place in the city center. Diede adorably calls it “piraten” (pirates) instead of “parade.” We treasure these cute mispronunciations, especially as she’s starting to speak more clearly every day.

Traditional Greek Independence Day Celebrations

As expected on March 25th, Greek Independence Day, all the shops are closed and a vibrant national atmosphere fills the air. The streets are alive with a large celebratory parade involving schools and emergency services. It’s a wonderful sight! Compared to the Netherlands, the event is still quite traditional. Kids are dressed in school uniforms, some even in folk costumes, and boys and girls march separately. Jinte and Diede watch in awe — it’s a captivating experience for them. Afterward, we treat ourselves to some fries and relax with a sunny, lazy afternoon back at our camper.

Back to Daily Life in Kalamata

In the mornings, Johan and Jinte usually take Goos, our dog, out for a walk, while Mirre and Diede catch a few extra Z’s. With the stores now open, we head out again. First stop: the bike shop to replace our broken pedal — no luck, as they don’t have the brand we need. Then it’s off to find new Crocs for Diede. She eagerly picks out a pair of sparkly silver glitter Crocs.

Jinte is disappointed she doesn’t get new shoes. We had considered buying her sneakers but later remembered we’ve got an extra pair stored in the camper’s “garage.” After some tears and a heart-to-heart chat, her mood lifts. We visit a shop known for its large gluten-free selection, and Jinte asks for ice cream. Of course, we say yes. With cones in hand, Diede innocently says, “First cry, then ice cream, right?” Uh, not quite, but it’s good life advice nonetheless.

A Chaotic Moment with Goos

Our productive afternoon continues with more errands: we buy dog food for Goos, explore the old city center, visit the local Jumbo (similar to Action) to get coloring paper — and as always, we return with more than we planned. Back at the camper, Mirre lets Goos out on his leash, but out of nowhere, the neighbor’s dog jumps out of their van and attacks Goos.

It’s a tense moment. Goos yelps and struggles as the other dog clamps onto him. Mirre bravely twists the attacking dog’s ear, pleading for it to release. The neighbor shouts “water!” and throws some on them — finally it lets go. Johan takes Goos to safety while the neighbor handles their dog. What a terrifying encounter.

Amid the chaos, Jinte proves she’s an amazing big sister. She calmly tells Diede, “Let’s go stand behind the camper — this is too scary for us.” Such maturity in a young child is heartwarming. Mirre can’t stop crying, but thankfully, Goos is okay, save for a small scrape. The neighbors apologize sincerely, admitting they didn’t think their dog would jump from the van. Hopefully, it’s a lesson learned for them.

Returning to Routine in Kalamata

We spend the rest of the day crafting, puzzling, cleaning, and cooking — a return to normalcy. The next morning, Mirre bikes to Jumbo to buy a pair of professional scissors because Johan’s hair is due for a trim. Surprisingly, the haircut goes very well!

By early afternoon, we’re on the road again. There’s still shopping to do, LPG and diesel to refill, tires to inflate, and the camper needs a wash. Then it’s off to our next overnight spot — just a short 30-minute drive away.

Final Thoughts

Our experience in the Municipality of Kalamata was a blend of Greek tradition, family adventures, and unexpected moments. Whether you’re visiting for Greek Independence Day or simply passing through, Kalamata offers a warm, memorable experience for travelers of all kinds.

Municipal Unit of Lefktro: A Camper Adventure in Greece

We parked our camper van next to a charming little café in the Municipal Unit of Lefktro, located in Greece’s stunning Peloponnese region. While our park4night app gave the green light, we decided to double-check with the locals to ensure it was truly okay to stay overnight. The super friendly owner welcomed us warmly, saying he was happy to have us there. Wonderful!

To thank him, we enjoyed a refreshing drink on the café’s sunny terrace. The girls had a fantastic time playing on the nearby pebble beach — the perfect spot for family fun. After a delicious pasta dinner, we got the kids to bed early. Just before nightfall, we noticed a few musicians arriving at the venue next door and sensed something exciting was about to happen.

Nightlife Surprise and a Balkan Twist

By 9:00 PM, lively music filled the air as a local festival began. The style was unmistakably different from what we’re used to — high-pitched and, at times, a bit shrill to our ears! We chuckled at the unfamiliar Greek and Albanian tunes, all the while realizing that our camper van wasn’t exactly soundproof. (And perhaps not waterproof either, we can almost hear you thinking).

At 11:00 PM, we decided to join the festivities. Holding on to our baby monitor and with the camper still in sight, we ventured out for a little adventure of our own. To our surprise, it turned out to be an Albanian celebration. Sharing a beer and a glass of wine together felt like an unexpected date night — just the two of us in a cozy bar, something that doesn’t happen very often with two little ones around.

The generous café owner even offered us a complimentary shot, and we happily mingled for about an hour. What we didn’t anticipate was having a front-row seat to the party until 4:30 AM! 😱 Strangely enough, all four of us managed to sleep through most of it. Light sleepers didn’t stand a chance, but we surprised ourselves — waking a few times but falling right back asleep.

A New Day in Lefktro

The next morning, Johan took the girls out for some fresh air, giving Mirre time to record a few videos for the online course she’s creating. In the afternoon, we made slime with the girls — a fun family activity that kept the day joyful yet relaxed. After all the excitement, we welcomed a quiet evening and night.

Tomorrow, our Greek road trip adventure continues. Stay tuned as we explore more hidden gems in the Peloponnese!