protected their families, land, livestock, and
communities from invaders any way they
could. They built fortified tower houses
many of which still dot the landscape and
this style has continued to influence the
architecture of the region. The Deep Mani
has become one of our favourite places and
has also proven a hit with our customers.
While in Greece on the set-up tour we
posted a few photos on social media and
were astounded at the level of response.
Everyone, it seemed, wanted to ride Greece.
Before we had even arrived back in New
Zealand, we had a full tour of sixteen
confirmed almost entirely made up of
repeat customers – some of whom had
travelled with us multiple times. With more
wanting to join, we planned a second tour
later in the year in September which was
oversubscribed very swiftly too.
Our inaugural Greece tour customers
were a mix of solo riders and two-up, on
an assortment of BMWs, Suzukis, a Honda,
with two non-riders keeping our driver
Leonidas in stitches in the tour vehicle.
Mike and I, were out the front leading on
a Yamaha Tracer 900.
While motorcycling had connected us
all, the tour was far from being just about
riding… we stuffed our faces with delicious
Greek cuisine, drank some good, bad
and indifferent local wines and mostlygood
beers. A few couldn’t get enough
of the local ouzo while others loathed it,
we laughed, we talked, and some even
surprised us by dancing (I’m looking at you
Scotty). Yep, it was a damn fine tour (so
was the second one in September) and
we’re going back again. You coming?“
Why not join Mike and Angela and on your own tour once we’re allowed out of New
Zealand again? For more information give Mike (021 284 9047) or Angela (021 255
2806) a call to see what they’ve got cooking for future tours.
Email: adventures@bythebackroads.com | Web: www.bythebackroads.com
26 KIWI RIDER