We're already almost at the end of our stay in Thessaloniki (3 nights goes by fast) and its been a good opportunity to adjust to the weather. It's HOT!!! And since we're in Greece and Turkey for the rest of the month, I suspect it's going to stay hot.
This is a city of churches, bakeries, stunning waterfront and coffee. Coffee is a bit of an obsession here... more on that below.
Churches, churches, everywhere.
Yesterday, we visited some of the ancient highlights - The Church of Saint Sophia (erected in the 8th century and based on Istanbul's Hagia Sophia) and the White Tower (12th century ex-prison right on the waterfront) - and walked around the waterfront. The boardwalk itself was not super busy, but the cafes lining the waterfront strip were absolutely packed with people.
Thessaloniki waterfront - it stretches 12kms. I took this photo from the top of the White Tower
We also headed to a taverna for octopus salad and smoked cheese - Greek food is sooooo yum!!
Today we walked away from the waterfront for a different perspective. It was a lot of uphill walking in the heat, but we were ultimately rewarded with a spectacular view.
Check out this view over the city!!
Our brush with fame... sorta
Our first stop of the day was at a little nondescript cafe for a coffee. I should say frappe, rather than coffee because that is what everyone drinks here - it's basically iced instant Nescafé; milk and sugar optional.
The frappe is so ubiquitous, it seems like every single person has one in their hand at all times. Today we passed a guy, simultaneously riding a scooter, sipping a frappe and smoking a cigarette!!
The cafe drew us in because it had a super shady balcony and looked a bit old school with lots of older men drinking
On arrival, we had to wait a few minutes because the owner was being interviewed. Turns out we had stumbled into Thessaloniki's oldest cafe and a documentary was being filmed. And, somehow, we ended up being interviewed as part of it!! I know, so random, although this is not the first time this has happened to us...
It was fun meeting Simon and Katarina, the documentarians.
Simon and Katarina were very sweet. And they told us that they knew about Melbourne because there's a Greek TV drama about Greek people living in Melbourne who come to Greece. Like a reverse Acropolis Now!
They said it's their first documentary project - destined for YouTube - and promised to send a link to the final product!! I'll let you know if we hear anything :)
What's next?
Tomorrow, we head to Athens for an overnight stop off on the way to Nafplio where we are spending a week with my sister and friend Louise. Very excited!!
I'll keep you posted.
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