Around Karmøy Island

The sky over Karmøy

My last walk around the beauty of Norway ... Karmøy Island is one of the most western points of Norway. It is located just south of Haugesund and about 70 km north of Stavanger. The island has two cities - Kopervik and Skudeneshavn, and also 4-5 villages. Amazing landscapes that left me speechless and even make it unreal to imagine how they'd look when all around is blue-green.

After a quick breakfast on the next morning (after we arrived from Bergen) we wended to the West side of the island, it was Friday and the road was not busy at all and only few cars passed along our way. Our first stop was Akrasanden Beach, about 8 km south of Kopervik. I really enjoyed the sandy bay with the winter sun that was peeking through the clouds. In summer time it gets up to 25 degrees (rarely) which is unacceptable for me for sunbathing but people here love that time of the year and enjoy it with pleasure. I'm sure I'd be happy to relax under the summer sun, even without entering the water.  

Little after Akrasanden we stopped at Ferkingstad - a real fishing village. The typical red and white houses as well as many boats were almost deserted because of the season. Summertime it gets more lividly when the fishermen move with their whole families as fishing is the main occupation in the village. Ferkingstad is also famous with the archaeology findings from the early Viking period. Even it has the name of King Ferking. 

And of course there were many birds completing the scenery.

Ferkingstad

We were driving south and my friend showed me the most beautiful beach around the island and one of his favorite places for relax and thinking - Sandcesanden Beach. It was rocky, cold and windy but I have no words to explain the emotion I felt there on the cliffs - I guess it was freedom! Neither the wind, nor the coldness could make me feel any bad. If I had the chance I could go there frequently, same as him just to calm watching the beautiful sea and the rocks. 

The rocks of Sandcesanden

Skudenshaven

In a while we were at the south-est point of the island - Skudenshaven (so complicated names!). The city is the main port at Karmøy. An interesting fact is that few years ago it has won the award "Summer resort of Norway" and of course people were very proud.
As I already mention, the day was Friday but the city seemed to be sleeping. I guess that most of the people work in the biggest city in the area. 

We were looking for a place to have a coffee but we couldn't find. We saw only one restaurant that was working few hours a day...so strange. Probably in summer gets more vivid.

The weather was nice so we walked around the streets and the bridges crossing the channels. We visited a local supermarket to buy some food and we went on. By the way, I saw a poster for zumba fitness so I guess Skudenshaven is not so empty and there are people dancing zumba (which a love, btw).

Around the streets

...and the channels

The east side of the island

Our car walk finished with a stop at the east side of the island. It looked completely different from the rocky west side. It was greener, warmer and sunnier. On the other side of the water I could see the main land. There, between the island and the main land, people were out on their boats for sailing in the nice weather.

The day was almost gone and we went back home, it was my last day on the West Norwegian Coast. 

On the next day my friend drove me to Stavanger where I had to take the plane back to Oslo and on the following day fly back to Bulgaria. The road was passing through spectacular views. We even used a ferry and so drivers can also enjoy the landscape. 

I thank to all the people that made my trip happen and helped me to discover even a part of The Beautiful Norway, and especially to my friend who took me around the west coast.
Honestly, I'm in love with the nature of that country! Enjoy some more pictures here.

The way to Stavanger

The North Greek Beaches - Kryoneri Camping

Kageles Beach

As a Bulgarian, I have the privilege to live very close to Greece. Few times of my life I had chances to visit the biggest cities - Athens and Thessaloniki (and some areas around Olympus Mountain) and finally this summer was time to explore some little hidden gems in North Greece.

We left Plovdiv early in the morning and after 2 hours we crossed the border near Zlatograd. The road from Greek side was really narrow and it was hard to drive with more than 40-50 km/ hour but the view in Rodopi Mountain was amazing. We passed through several villages and actually I didn't find much difference between Bulgarian and Greek Rodopi people and houses architecture. Even they say that many people there know Bulgarian language but we didn't stop to check it. Soon we were in Xanthi and after crossing the city we took the way to Lagos, just right at the Aegean Sea. Another option is to take the highway to Komotini and then turn straight down to Xilagani (as we did on our way back).
                             

Whatever you decide, take a map or GPS or at least remember the name of the nearest village of your final destination!

The water road

I don't know what happened to our mobiles but we had no connection and we realized we had a printed map from Google maps, not good zoomed, so we didn't have the names of the villages, only their locations. Anyway, with my perfect orientation we didn't get lost but we had to stop at many places, get out of the car and make some strange movements and looks around to decide which direction to take.
It was really pleasant journey as almost all the time we were driving by the seaside and through some little villages with small white houses and many flowers in front of them. At once we stopped as the road was crossing a river. There was no bridge...Literally, the river goes over the road and there is a sign: "Be careful, slippery ground!" Overcoming this obstacle, soon we found our camping - Kryoneri Camping.

The camping is situated in Kryoneri village, 30 km south from Komitini, only 600-700 m far from the nearest beach. The area is so quiet...no more than 5 cars a day were going on the road in front of the camping. At the end of June is still not very high season so it was not crowded at all - there were 6 tents and 1 camper. Toilets and baths are very clean, the area for the tents is green and has a good shade over it. There is a kitchen with 4 sinks and 4 ovens; there is a fridge; there are washing machines; there is a barbecue; there is a playground for children and all those things could be used for free.

In the camping

The camping owners are 2 sisters and their father. All of them are very kind and smiling. One of the evenings the father prepared for us delicious octopus (half was grilled, the other half was boiled). We invited them with us for the dinner and had a wonderful conversation. One of the sisters, Ioanna, told us about the festival they organize at the end of June. She also gave us some ideas of what to do around and where to go. Really charming people.
They also have a restaurant that offers different meals at normal prices and a little shop for the most necessary things. If you still are missing something, there are shops in the nearby villages, only 5 km far from the camping - Proskinites and Maroneia.
I should not forget to mention that is very cheap - per night we were paying 11 EUR which includes 2 people, 1 tent and 1 car. But you'll check the prices in their website.

For the 3 days that we stayed at the camping, we managed to spend our time at two of the beaches - the one in Kryoneri and the other one - Kageles (about 10 km east of the camping). As many of the Greek beaches, these ones were also stony but it doesn't make them look any  worse than a normal sandy beach. The view above Kageles beach was wonderful - red rocks on the side and Samohtraki island in the distance. The beach is small and a nice cafe is offering refreshing drinks. Also you can take some mattresses and other inflatable equipment to use in the water for free. It goes without saying that the water is crystal blue and cool.

You can continue exploring the area by car (and at some moments on foot) as there are archaeological Byzantine excavations. Unfortunately we didn't find much information but it seems people are working on them. Of course, we found the best time to explore the area (2-3 pm) and it was so hot that we didn't want to walk much but I bet that this would be a pleasant walk along the olive trees, the charming villas and the beautiful flowers on the road.
People told us that the area is very suitable for fishing too and lots of boats goes into the sea every morning for different kind of fish.

See more photos in facebook.

I stay with so many positive emotions that for sure I will go back, We really wanted to be in September but we couldn't. Finally, the loooong terming project of the road Komotini (Greece) - Kardzhali (Bulgaria) is over and I hope that next year we could visit that part of Greece for only few hours!
If you live close, or if you plan to visit Greece anyway, just drop in that region, it's off the beaten path but you'll love it!

Living without thinking of anything

USA.SC.North Myrtle Beach.Work and Travel Program. 20 y.o. girl.Great experience.(The beginning)

Half of the summer was almost past. I already felt as I was at home with the only difference that I didn't have to think about any problems. Because I didn't have such. Because I was there to have fun and be happy. I just had to keep working but is was not hard at all as I liked my job. Every day we did something funny and enjoyable. As I worked from 5 pm to 11-12 pm, I had time to party after work and for the beach in the morning.

The bar, photo by: www.bullyspub.com

The area I worked was called Barefoot Landing and it was full of cafes, restaurants and shops. There was a pub, close to our restaurant (Bully's pub and grill) and we used to visit it often. As I was only 20 they were not supposed to let me in but I tried with Vessy's ID and everything was great. Those guys were paying attention only to the age but not to the picture so that perfectly worked for me. There was a Jukebox inside and we always listened to the music we wanted. I remember one night, we were a big group and I tried the popular "cocktail" - dark beer and a shot inside. And the drink had to be drunk without stopping for taking a breath. It was strange but not bad, only that we got drunk very quickly. Well, I'm not very proud but we were young and we had to try everything. The evening ended wonderful, partying in a motel's swimming pool. It was good they didn't catch us, as only one of the girls was living there and it was forbidden for other people.

Another thing we loved was the beach. We lived only one block far from the ocean and there wasn't almost a day without visiting the beach at least onece a day. Coffee in the morning - at the beach, beer at noon time - at the beach, a nap afternoon - at the beach, volleyball or just hanging out in the evening - at the beach. We even tried night swimming. The water was not cold but to be honest I was afraid of sharks. I'm not sure if there were sharks really but people were talking and the guys were frightening me, that's why I pluck up courage for a night swimming only once.
We also liked to climb on a hotel's roof watching the ocean and enjoying the view in the evening. It was amazing - the lights, the water, the wind and the nice conversations.

Some beach photos made by Jacek:

The view from the roof

Myrtle Beach and the area was a popular golf region and there were golf courses everywhere. I don't know how but one night the guys showed up with 2 golf carts. Without asking too much few people jumped on the cars and we started racing(of course in the golf course not on the streets). It was so much fun.

And once, we were at a party where we drank beer directly from the beer keg... And I also remember that Hawaiian party...

To be continued