Monday, May 24th, 1999
The luggage has finally arrived, Niki and Mom are thrilled to be able to change into a fresh set of clothes. At last, our journey can begin. We rent a car from Hertz called a Seat. Pretty nice four-door with AC and room enough for everyone. After traversing the somewhat chaotic streets of Athens, we set out north for Volos.
Driving north on E-75, we pass through a town called Lamia. It's about 12:00 p.m. and everyone is getting a little hungry. Lamia turns out to be a rundown industrial town, nothing sparks our interest for lunch. We decide to continue on.
We arrive in Volos around 2:00 p.m. along the water in the bay, there are several quaint little restaurants. Volos is a bustling shipping town, lots of action along the coast and throughout the streets. Lunch turns out to be a feast of fresh seafood, we are filled to the gills, excuse the pun, and decide to head out. After scanning our maps, we find a nice little road heading up into the mountains northeast of Volos.
We pass through village after village on the mountainsides, each one more spectacular than the last. At a museum in one small town, we stop to view the work of Nicholas the sculptor. On our way back down the mountain, we get lost in the middle of an olive grove. The road diminishes down to becoming a dirt track. Somehow, we manage to find our way out. Stopping for a drink in the town called Agria, we view another inspiring sunset.
Back in Volos we had another great meal outside along the water. We spend the night at Hotel Aegli Pallas on Argonafton Street. Our hotel is very nice. Decorated with antique furniture and a balcony overlooking the harbor. The only downside to our night was the constant hustle and bustle on the streets below. After a restless night we awake to the sound of jackhammers at a nearby construction site.