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.
