The route for today is not that long, about 80 km, because I am going to Thessaloniki. The second largest city in Greece with more than a million inhabitants and the main port in Greece. The road to it is quite boring, the only thing that strikes me are the many cotton fields. The white seed bulbs look like flowers from afar and stand out nicely against the brown/green environment.
Arriving in the city, I am overwhelmed by the amount of cars. Not in traffic, but along the road. On all streets, roundabouts or intersections, often 2 rows thick.
The first hostel I visit, in the middle of the city, is fully booked, but I have more success with the second. The hostel is located on a very steep street just outside the center and I can leave my motorcycle in front of the entrance gate on a small piece of straight pavement.
I immediately start exploring the city because luckily everything I want to see is within walking distance. The first place of worship I visit is on the site of an ancient Roman bathhouse and contains the relics of Saint Demitrius. Apparently very well known among Christians because they are crowded.
I would have loved to visit the lovely mosaics of the Rotunda, a 4th century Roman round bath house, but unfortunately it is closed. But it's good that I'm there because at that moment I received a call from DHL that my package with the replacement GoPro lens has arrived and that location turns out to be only 300 meters away.
On the water of the Aegean Sea I see the White Tower from 1535. Remains of an Ottoman fortress that once served as a prison. Then it was also called the blood tower or red tower because of the many tortures and deaths. In exchange for his freedom, one of the last prisoners was allowed to paint the tower white, giving the tower its current name.
After a delicious dinner in the trendy dining and entertainment district, I return to the hostel, where I spend the evening with Peter from Germany, who has been exploring the Balkans on his bike for 3 months.
Since I don't have to unpack and pack much, I want to leave early again, but unfortunately that won't work. I am used to getting up with the sun around 7 am, but most hostel visitors wake up 2 hours later. The common area, where I have my helmet and motorcycle suit, only opens at 9 o'clock!
After a cup of coffee and a light breakfast I can still leave at 10 o'clock. Off to Bulgaria!
