Secret paths hidden among lush green jungle vegetation and mirror-blue waters filled with princess-pink flamingo colonies. That is merely the beginning of what Axios Delta National Park has to offer. But no one seems to know about this place.
A
short 15-minute bus ride from Thessaloniki and we are in Kalochori, a small
suburban area and the gateway to another world. As the streets and the houses
end, we are met by a ruby red road, swirling between two bodies of blue water
and into the park. In the background, just a rock’s throw away, lies
Thessaloniki. Going from the Greek city’s urban concrete environment to the
luxuriant wetlands is quite the contrast.
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| The red road leading into the national park. Kalochori and Thessaloniki are in the background. |
Three
river deltas run into the Thermaic Gulf and give life to the vast, flat landscape.
The Axios, Loudias and Aliakmonas rivers. The park’s full name is the
“Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas Delta National Park”, but using only “Axios” is
common. Each year the national park becomes the home to thousands of birds such
as pelicans, flamingos, mallards and the glossy ibis. But birds are not the
only creatures that benefit from the rich habitat. Bigger animals such as wild
horses and water buffalos can be seen in some areas, and on sunny days, snakes
like to bake in the warm sun. Just like Thessaloniki, Kalochori has many stray
dogs. They can often be found inside the park, where some are being taken care
of by local fishermen.
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A group of flamingos are sometimes called a "flamboyance"
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When
there is no wind, even the sea lies perfectly still. The water becomes a
mirror. In the right light, the horizon disappears and the sea becomes the sky.
Then the cool ocean breeze rolls in. The clear blue surface is rippled with
waves, and the scent of salty seawater seeps up the nose and tickles the brain.
Many choose to experience the park by car or bike. Gravel roads stretch many
miles through the otherwise rugged landscape, allowing visitors to discover
most of the far-reached corners. The distances are simply too big to cover by
foot. However, only the leather tramps, people willing to overcome a blister or
two, are able to go off the beaten paths. To go where few have been before, to
find their own way, and to rewrite their maps.
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| A stray dog rests with Kalochori in the background. |
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| To find the most hidden and mysterious places, you must go off-road. But beware of snakes |
Asking the locals in Thessaloniki, surprisingly few have been to the national park, and surprisingly many have never even heard of it. Especially considering its proximity to the city and the cheap one-euro bus tickets. So if you have a day to spend in Thessaloniki, remember the forgotten national park.
