Year 2001. Trip to Greece with The Thunder Ace.


From Cyprus to Greece is only accessible by ship. We, Stelios was riding a Yamaha YZF600, Achilleas a Honda transalp 650, Mike a honda CBR600 and i the Yamaha YZF1000R Thunder Ace, planed this journey with the event that was happening in Greece at Thasos island, the 20th annual Greece motorcycle meeting. We planed to go to the event and then visit Northern Greece. We like to travel, we made all necessary preparations and there we went.
Our Plan trip in Greece. From Day one to the final day and loading the bike to the ship for our return to Home Land, Cyprus.
At The Salamis Ship In Limassol, Cyprus.
This Costs about 130 Cy Pounds for the bike ticket and fairs.
Day 1
From Athens to Plaka, Near Leptokaria Town. A stop for coffee, and some hamburgers. The day was sunny. 
All the gang. A stop for coffee, except Mike who was  hungry and had a big salad. Achilleas had a sweet, he couldn't resist. This was at the last road fair to Thessaloniki. As for Stelio and me we
had coffee. 
From Left to right, Me Paris, Achilleas, Mike and Stelios. This was a stop for a cigarette since it was the last stop to Thessaloniki.
Finally at Thessaloniki, after 520 Km and 2 refuelings.
This is at the White Tower. Somewhere in this town we stayed for the night after a wealthy dinner. Then we went for a beer at the motorcycle club of Thessaloniki. They were more than pleased to see us. 
Day 2
Destination Kavalla. The trip from Thessaloniki to Kavalla was very beautiful. We crossed through forests where you couldn't see the sky. Then we took the highway where a lot of bikes were traveling along to the event. A stop for Ice cream was a must as it was a hot day. This is somewhere at... 
Kavala. Here is its Castile. A beautiful town.
Kavala. No Comments. Just plain Magnificent
Since we had to wait for the ferry to to come and take us to THASOS island, we had time for some.... coffee at Kavala.
Thasos at Golden Beach. A rocky island with sandy beaches, 2 km long. Here we spend the 2nd and 3rd day.
This is where the 20th annual motorcycle meeting was held. Here is Philip, another friend from Cyprus. Both flags, Ledra club from Nicosia and Lefimol from Limassol was raised. Well up to 2 meters height. What has happened here you can visit this site and see. 
Some Scenery from Thasos Island.
Some more Scenery from Thasos Island.
Day 4.
We left thasos and we went to Halkidiki. This is somewhere at Salonikos. Magnificent area, with large forests and golden beaches. One moment you are 500 meters above sea level, the next at moment you are at sea level. Halkidiki has 3 legs, but we have visited only the 2nd. We then stopped after 350 km at Nea Moudania where we spend the night. Hospitality was plain Greek. 
Day 5.
Destination, Kastoria.
A stop at ancient Pella. Capital of Makedonia. A museum is there for the lovers of History and ancient monuments. Worth a stop here.
A stop for rest and coffee at Edessa. A nice town with very slippery roads. Watch out every one.
Floridas City Hall. A Quiet City since here the temperatures began to drop. We have changed clothes for the cold weather. Heated grips is a good idea to use here.
The Famous Lake of Little Prespa. This Lake is in the borders of Albania and Yugoslavia. The view was.... cold
Kastoria from above. A town famous for it's Mink fairs. Here most of the shops sell Fairs. From what we have found out visitors can choose the animal for its skin. Laws here seems not to apply. And the most amassing thing is that visitors here are from all over Europe. The cars here are Audi TT and Mercedes Compressor. Amazing for a Town of only 15,000 population
Kastoria. The city of beauty as it was from where we stayed for the night. Hospitality was great and the rooms are luxurious.
Day 6.
On our way to Arta Town. We had to travel through Zagoria. The scenery to our destination was so beautiful we stooped many times for pictures. This is near Pindos Mountain
An old bridge. We had to see it.
Papingo Mountain. Stood there to admire its rough beauty.
As it was time for lunch we headed to Kili village. What we have seen was astonishing.
At Michael's restaurant for us to make a stop. By the way it is the only restaurant there. The food was superb, and the village was very classical Greek village with the only thing to remind you of the millennium was the public phone and our bikes.
An old bridge. The only one in Greece like this. Achilleas had to go over this. He couldn't resist the temptation. Since him and I are Enduro riders, i stood there and admire him on the famous bridge. We then went to Arta Town to rest for the night.
Day 7.
Navpaktos. After we had our rest at Arta Town we passed through Navpakto.
Galaxidi. A fisherman's Village with lots of tourists, beaches and good fish food. Our stop here was compulsory to relax and eat.
Delphi. Here the Pythia ( future teller ) was telling the future in ancient times. And my friend Achilleas tried to stand on the rock where Pythia was standing but a snake jumped at very same spot. He through stones for the snake to leave but the snake just whistled. we left the snake to its piece. we thought maybe the GODS are trying to tell us something. who knows. It was thought a unique experience.
As the day came to an end we rest at Itea Town. At night we went at Amfissa Town. It has no tourists but the night life there is worth a visit. The people there know how to spend the night out.
Day 8. Last day.
Athens. civilization. We left Itea and headed to Athens. we went at Kolonaki where we had coffee. It has so many cafe's there and so many people that you wonder, who works here! We had time then for some shopping for us to take home to our kids. The only next stop left was to see the....
The Famous HONDA NR with the oval pistons. Visit the No Limits Shop to see it. Be prepared thought, take no cash because you will be tempted to buy everything you see there. They have t shirts, calendars, key rings, everything of this kind.
Last stop. 
Pireas port. we all gathered here to load our bikes onto the ship to go.... home. It was a journey of beauty and fun. The costs of all the trip was about $1000 dollars including fairs, food and petrol. 
If you want more info on the trip we made do contact me at 323turbo@bigfoot.com

 My web site www.oocities.org/soho/8126/
As for the bike it performed magnificent. It was pleasant to drive, comfortable at all speeds. Most of the time we cruised at 120kmh, at some busy highways at 150kmh and some others at 260kmh. well at least some of us. At all speeds the bike was so steady it amassed me. At some mountain roads the angles leaned was pure adrenaline. Especially after the exit of a curve when i applied power with 2nd the bike just lifts up so controllable.............. and as soon you shift to 3rd your speedo passes the 200kmh mark, then the next turn comes, i applied brakes and the bike just does as i command. If you ever get a chance to ride one , do ride this bike.