Stuck in Plataria, Greece - But Serenely So

A motorhome parts hiccup near Plataria strands me for a week—but the view, the village, and the ouzo make it feel like a blessing in disguise.

Sometimes, even a fully self-sufficient motorhome like mine benefits from a proper campground—if only for a quick water exchange. Camping Kalami, near the quiet seaside town of Plataria, was supposed to be one of those fleeting utility stops. One night. Maybe two.

But fate, or rather a defect I couldn’t ignore, had other plans.

The sanitary bits groaned, then refused to budge. And just like that, I was stuck. On a Saturday of all days, so the part order would only be received on Monday, post office didn’t find the campground for two days, Thursday was a public holiday and so it took until Friday when I picked up the part at the nearby post office myself (the one that was 10 minutes away without any local orientation sense it seems).

Now, this could have been a disaster. But Kalami turned out to be the kind of place you wouldn’t mind being grounded in. Shaded by eucalyptus trees and perched just above the lapping Ionian Sea, the campground had a tranquil charm—modest, friendly, unhurried. With its own beach mind you.

Better yet, a healthy 7’500 step march (one way) led me into a nearby fishing village that felt like a gift: timeless, low-key, and prepared for stranded RVers. There’s a different pace here—sails in the harbor swaying with the wind, crafty stone chapel, and the kind of Greek hospitality that doesn’t need to advertise itself.

I found myself returning daily to the taverna by the quay, where blue chairs shaded by vines framed a view that never got old. Lunch? Wine, olives, and tzatziki so fresh you could taste the sunlight in the yoghurt. Later: coffee with a view of the open water, the curve of the bay, and distant islands rising in soft blue.

Getting stuck, it turns out, isn’t always a setback. Sometimes it’s just the world telling you to stop, breathe, and take a second helping of grilled catch of the day.

 

Out There > Motorhome Trip Spring 2025 Western Balkans and Greece > Plataria, Greece