Saturday, 16 May 2026

Nafplio

 A day out to the big city.  Nafplio.  For work alas and not play.  There's so much to see and do in Nafplio, ancient ruins, fascinating old town, car free alley-ways and squares, markets

  We, as usual, would be seeing only the inside of car places and tool stores.  At least this visit didn't include a hospital or doctor's office


Nice shiny car
We were going to Nafplio for our 2 year Warrant of Fitness certificate
The car was covered in red streaks from the last Saharan dust and rain storm.  I washed and cleaned it inside and out.  That red muck was everywhere and it needed a good soapy rub to get rid of it all.  Now we have a forecast of rain again.  Damn

First stop was to get new tyres for the car.  K had been humming and haaing about them, looking at prices around Poros, and putting off the final decision.  Now he had to get it done or fail the test.  We went to a recommended shop in Nafplio.  In 20 minutes they'd put on 4 new tyres, checked the spare and all for 60 euros less than Poros.  It cost 200 euros plus a 5 euro tip for the young lad that was helping.  

Next stop The car testing place
We passed!



Free coffee while we waited!  We had 2 cups each.  That saved us more than 10 euros at a café.  It's good coffee too.  Filter or espresso from a machine.  We had a cup of both



We sat outside and drank our coffee along with 3 other clients.  Greek.  There's a rubbish bin just behind the chairs.  They didn't use it.  Wind had blown a paper napkin and a plastic spoon on the ground, and they left paper cups and an ashtray of butts on the table. They just up and went.  I gathered our cups and picked up all their rubbish and put it in the bin
The norm around here


Then we went for petrol
K buys BP whenever he's in Nafplio.  A friend of his told him BP has the best quality.  It's slightly more expensive than Shell or Aegean but still cheaper than petrol on the island


Another reason to buy BP 
This happy smiling girl always cleans our windscreen and does an excellent job of it.  She didn't mind having her photo taken either

Then on to the supermarket.  The best part of the day, for me


LIDLS!


Look at all those refrigerated goodies .  That was only cheese and ham, yoghurt and butter
So much choice.  A true shopping therapy session, for me.  
After years shopping here, on and off, I know what I want and have a list which I follow.  There's a lot more I could buy but life is too expensive now.  I also have a list for the girls.  We all look up the specials online and go for the bargains
Our big supermarket on Poros would fit into one aisle here

Next stop, Ks favourite meat market.  This coming week we have 2 family name days and most importantly, it will be Ks name day.  He bought a few kilos of the finest pork

Last stop
'Trendy'


A souvlaki lunch
Half a grilled chicken, a huge pile of chips, tzatziki and drinks (alcohol free beer for the driver) for 25 euros.  There's enough leftover for lunch tomorrow.
A good thing about this shop is they're geared up for takeaways and provide a box and bag for leftovers at no extra cost

Back to Galatas, over on the car ferry, grocery delivery to the girls and home.  After unloading there was just enough time for a short siesta.  I needed it.  Outings are tiring these days.  Thank goodness it was cloudy.  Comfortable weather for getting things done.

Next day ...as I'm writing this it has just started to rain.  Another car wash on the horizon



11 comments:

  1. I do like the fact that in Europe cars have to pass a roadworthy every few years. Our cars only have to get the certificate when it changes hands.
    There has been talk of doing what you guys are doing but nothing definite.
    It would be great for us, as we are licensed testers, and the extra would be great.
    As I get older. The Greek way of afternoon siesta s is making more and more sense.

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    Replies
    1. Those tests make us keep the cars in good shape. A lot around here are rather old

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  2. I like it when you post about your trips to the big city.
    Nafplio has been my one and only Greek experience to date and I loved it. I keep thinking about trying to plan a visit to one of the small islands but the logistics, without a car, defeat me.
    Your blog lets me enjoy the wonderful Greek life vicariously!

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    Replies
    1. You need to visit a small island where you can walk everywhere. No good asking me though ☺️
      Nafplio has so much and I've seen so little. I'm waiting for a visit from someone who like shistory

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  3. Like Jaycee, I love these posts so much too, and I miss the Greek islands too.

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    Replies
    1. Now is a great time to visit. Nice temperatures for walking around. I wish we could see more

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  4. That was a productive day. It's a relief when the car passes its MOT.
    It was good of you to clear up someone else's mess.

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    Replies
    1. It is a relief. Thank goodness it's only every 2 years.

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  5. Seems like BP is everywhere. Amazing you were provided free coffee, even our testing stations here don't provide that, have a great week.

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    Replies
    1. 3 different sorts of free coffee!!! Milk and sugar. But they're so darn quick we don't have a long wait and time to savour it.

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