Our ferry back to Italy is leaving today, Tuesday 17 March and we splashed out on a private taxi as there’s only a bus once a week to Patras! The alternative was to go to the port via Athens, leaving Delphi 0530 by bus then taxi, train, bus, taxi costing about €100 with lots of stress and possibilities of delays (maybe missing the ferry, booked on a non-flexible special offer ticket) or €170 in Giorgio’s comfortable Mercedes taxi arriving at our hotel for 11am. No contest really as the taxi will pass along the scenic coast road we haven’t yet visited and cross the new bridge to arrive at Patras Port in good time and comfort with no stress.
After our last breakfast at the Tholos Hotel we were treated to Turkish coffee made by the helpful housekeeper. As the church bell struck 11am Giorgio arrived to collect us from outside the hotel. The route follows the coast with some very interesting old harbours and lots of fish farming and bee-keeping. It looks like a good place to return to, maybe even bring the campervan as it’s possible to bring it across on the ferry.
The bridge is impressive in terms of construction and design, opened just a week before the Summer Olympic Games in 2004, with the Olympic torchbearers being the first to officially cross its 9,449’ length (2,880 m). Officially known as the Charilaos Trikoupis Rio-Antirrio Bridge it spans the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, linking the Peloponnese peninsula to mainland Greece. First proposed by Charilaos Trikoupis, 19th century Prime Minister of Greece, it was deemed too expensive and is widely regarded as an engineering masterpiece resolving the challenges of its location. The water depth reaches 65m with a loose sediment seabed, seismic activity, tectonic movement and tsunamis or earthquakes to be considered. It is the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge nearly two miles long and 92’ (28m) wide allowing for two vehicle lanes each way, an emergency lane and pedestrian walkway. The toll is €20 for cars and taxis.
As we approached the large port area Georgio clearly wasn’t too sure of the route and was keen to make sure we were at the right check-in area. He was using a satnav as well as seeking advice from Port officials. The Port is ‘new’ (built about 20 years ago) and serves several passenger ferry companies as well as lots of freight. We arrived in good time after a most enjoyable taxi ride. After saying our farewells to Georgio, we waited for the check-in to open in very nice cafe with a fine selection of freshly prepared food. After a chat with an interesting Dutch guy living in Greece and touring on his Harley Sportster, we walked across to check in at 1430. Sadlythe departure lounge was full of a rowdy group of youngsters singing and occupying all the seats. We were offered a couple of seats by two German guys who told us all about their Interrail adventures. Seems these student groups keep the Patras – Bari ferry operating!
We managed to be first in line to board at 1600 and after checking out our cabin (same as on the crossing over, this is ‘Superfast I’ sister ship to ‘Superfast II’) we repaired to the bar for a beer awaiting departure at 1730. When the kids arrived (and to escape the endless announcements in several languages), we went out on the breezy deck to watch Greece and her islands disappear on the horizon. Ate in the restaurant later on, but the food wasn’t as good as the crossing over last week. Retired to our comfortable cabin for the night.