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Joel and Jana met in South Africa in 2012. Ever since, travelling has been one of their big passions. In May 2022 they took the leap, quit their jobs, sold their belongings and began an indefinite journey heading East – by bicycle.

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Winter Workaway

by Joel and Janain Travel Blogon Posted on April 17, 2023December 16, 2023

Winter Workaway

Olive Picking and Animal Care

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Deutsch
A map of the Greek Islands Rodos and Kos

During the winter of 2022/23

we stop pedalling, get off the bikes and spend some time volunteering with workaway, doing things we have never done before. We pick olives, amongst other activities on Rhodes. Then on Kos we take care of a variety of animals having never even had a pet before.

Table of Contents

  • Winter is Coming
  • Olive Picking on Rhodes
  • GASAH Animal Shelter on Kos
  • Workaway

Winter is Coming

As a recently popular TV Series quite aptly put it: “Winter is Coming”. 

We need somewhere to go and something to do for a few months until it is warm enough for us to get back on the bikes. There is no way I want to be cycling through snow, wind and rain. It’s hard enough cycling as it is. I certainly don’t want to be in the tent for the whole winter either. Let’s be honest, we are luxury, fair weather bikepackers. 

We spend quite alot of time in October and November considering what to do in winter. Everything from just sacking it all off and flying to Thailand to working on cruise ships is discussed.  The process takes us a couple of months but we eventually decide to do voluntary work at two projects on two different Greek islands. 

As you may know, we met while volunteering. So this winter feels like we are almost going back to our roots. Somehow, however, we are both a little nervous. It is definitely strange to be around people again, considering we have spent 7 months basically on our own in our tent and on our bikes. 

This “blog entry” is a bit different to others you may have seen. Maybe to your delight, there is a lot less text and a lot more pictures. I know that I myself (Joel) would definitely prefer this type of blog to read. Similarly to how my favourite books are still things like Guinness world records or car magazines. Basically just “books” with pictures and captions. 

The idea is that we give you a glimpse into our winter through images…enjoy.

Olive Picking on Rhodes

A beautiful island, amazing, kind-hearted people and a lot more than just olive picking. 

To see a video of the Olive Oil being made, click here. 

We arrived on the ferry from Marmaris, Turkey and were taken to the farm by the owner Emma. Having had a very noisy couple of nights in Marmaris, we jokingly asked Emma if there happened to be any night clubs around. Emma laughed: "You really don't know where I live, do you?" Well. Emma lives behind the hill on the left in this picture and our nights were quiet and peaceful.
We arrived on the ferry from Marmaris, Turkey and were taken to the farm by the owner Emma. Having had a very noisy couple of nights in Marmaris, we jokingly asked Emma if there happened to be any night clubs around. Emma laughed: "You really don't know where I live, do you?" Well. Emma lives behind the hill on the left in this picture and our nights were quiet and peaceful.
As we were the first volunteers to arrive and as we would stay the longest, we were treated to our own studio apartment!! Here is the view from the garden of our terrace and flat. We parked our bikes on the veranda in front of our flat. Now it was time for work!
As we were the first volunteers to arrive and as we would stay the longest, we were treated to our own studio apartment!! Here is the view from the garden of our terrace and flat. We parked our bikes on the veranda in front of our flat. Now it was time for work!
The olive harvest started a couple of weeks after our arrival so in the meantime we were given other jobs: animal care, gardening and cleaning.
The olive harvest started a couple of weeks after our arrival so in the meantime we were given other jobs: animal care, gardening and cleaning.
Part of our daily routine included responsibility for the donkeys, chickens and sheep. We cleaned out their stables/pens, fed and watered them and then collected (and ate) any chicken eggs.
Part of our daily routine included responsibility for the donkeys, chickens and sheep. We cleaned out their stables/pens, fed and watered them and then collected (and ate) any chicken eggs.
The harvest begins!! Olives are harvested between November-February. Large bags filled with olives can be seen on the backs of lorries and trucks being transported to the press. We climb ladders and the trees to get at the olives on the branches with our hands and rakes. The olives all fall to the floor and if done correctly, onto the nets below.
The harvest begins!! Olives are harvested between November-February. Large bags filled with olives can be seen on the backs of lorries and trucks being transported to the press. We climb ladders and the trees to get at the olives on the branches with our hands and rakes. The olives all fall to the floor and if done correctly, onto the nets below.
Once all of the olives are off the tree, the nets below are folded together so that the olives pile up in the center. The leaves and twigs are removed by hand. It then takes several people to pick up the net and pour the olives into large sacks. The sacks each fit around 20-40kg of olives in them!
Once all of the olives are off the tree, the nets below are folded together so that the olives pile up in the center. The leaves and twigs are removed by hand. It then takes several people to pick up the net and pour the olives into large sacks. The sacks each fit around 20-40kg of olives in them!
We got to go to the factory and saw with our own eyes how 350 kg of olives transformed into 80 litres of pure olive oil. Here, the oil is being filtered after pressing.
We got to go to the factory and saw with our own eyes how 350 kg of olives transformed into 80 litres of pure olive oil. Here, the oil is being filtered after pressing.
We were a large group of up to approx. 10 people for the harvest. The trees vary in size but there was a total of around 50 trees with olives. The harvest lasted 4 days so we were happy for a break afterwards! The host family placed emphasis on us learning about and indulging in island culture. The local beer wasn't bad either.
We were a large group of up to approx. 10 people for the harvest. The trees vary in size but there was a total of around 50 trees with olives. The harvest lasted 4 days so we were happy for a break afterwards! The host family placed emphasis on us learning about and indulging in island culture. The local beer wasn't bad either.
Our work didn't stop, once the harvest was finished. We stayed several weeks and continued with other jobs. We made essential oils with the distilling machine in the photo using plants/trees from the garden and surrounding area. The oils have many purposes. We were lucky enough to take part in a soap making course as well, using the oils that we had made ourselves!
Our work didn't stop, once the harvest was finished. We stayed several weeks and continued with other jobs. We made essential oils with the distilling machine in the photo using plants/trees from the garden and surrounding area. The oils have many purposes. We were lucky enough to take part in a soap making course as well, using the oils that we had made ourselves!
But that's not all! While Joel helped with some woodworks, Jana and some of the other volunteers did weeding all over the property.
But that's not all! While Joel helped with some woodworks, Jana and some of the other volunteers did weeding all over the property.
The hardest time of the year to be away from home is definitely Christmas. We were so lucky to spend this special time of the year with Emma, her family and the other volunteers and prepared a proper Christmas Dinner. We even made a Christmas Pudding from Scratch and lit it on fire.
The hardest time of the year to be away from home is definitely Christmas. We were so lucky to spend this special time of the year with Emma, her family and the other volunteers and prepared a proper Christmas Dinner. We even made a Christmas Pudding from Scratch and lit it on fire.
Rhodes the island is magnificient. The old town is the centerpiece, but we enjoyed the beaches and walks in the mountains as well. In summer, we are told, the island looks very different, especially when the cruise ships stop at the old town and the guests flood into the narrow streets of the old town. All in all, we had a magical few weeks on Rhodes.
Rhodes the island is magnificient. The old town is the centerpiece, but we enjoyed the beaches and walks in the mountains as well. In summer, we are told, the island looks very different, especially when the cruise ships stop at the old town and the guests flood into the narrow streets of the old town. All in all, we had a magical few weeks on Rhodes.

GASAH Animal Shelter on Kos

New furry friends and experiences that will last a lifetime. The focus of the animal welfare organisation GASAH (Greek And Swiss Animal Help) lies on sustainable change and emergency aid for animals in need.  

For further information about Greek and Swiss Animal Help, click here. 

View over the Stepping Stone Animal Shelter
Upon arrival on Kos we were greeted by the Animal Shelter manager Irene on the incredibly beautiful property. Although there had been animals on the farm on Rhodes, GASAH was like another world, especially for Joel. Not even having had a pet before, working at GASAH was definitely outside his comfort zone.
Jana preparing food for the kittens in the morning
We had to learn fast as the manager would be leaving for a while. After that we were to take over responsibility for the facility and therefore also for all the animals.
Jana's medical skills were often very useful. There were plenty of wounds to tend to and medicines that needed to be administered.
Jana's medical skills were often very useful. There were plenty of wounds to tend to and medicines that needed to be administered.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! We spent Christmas and New Year together with our temporary pets - Aslan and Steppy! A stark contrast to Rhodes, we worked almost always alone in the animal shelter. Surprisingly, we quite enjoyed it.
Jana giving some most needed cuddles to Squeaky the cat.
On our rounds in the morning, we fed the goats and sheep, then the dogs and cats and finally the chickens. All shelters, pens and cages had to be cleaned and tidied on a daily basis.
Joel washing Lucie with a special shampoo
Joel discovered his hidden talent as a hairdresser: One of the dogs needed a weekly wash with a special shampoo for it's skin.
Jana playing with the dogs on the playfield while Joel is playing inside with a kitten.
The job also included playing with and cuddling the animals. We both enjoyed this special time.
Joel walking with Nika and Aslan
Often we would take the dogs for a sunset walk. It also meant that we got to see some of the Island and its beauty. The benefit of the colder months was that it allowed for nature to recover from the scorching summer months. All fields, trees and plants were green.
Joel out catching cats.
Catching stray cats on the island. It is GASAH's philosophy that the only sustainable way to prevent the suffering of feral animals is neutering. This is why one of our core tasks was to take stray cats and dogs to the vet to be neutered in cooperation with the local government.
Jana painting the rainbow block while Joel is mowing the grass.
It wasn't just feeding, playing and cleaning up after the animals. There was gardening and painting to be done as well! Joel had the feeling he could see the grass growing on a daily basis and Jana kept finding little painting projects to take on.
Joel sleeping on the bed.
After such hard work, some down time was overdue. Joel took a well deserved nap on the bed with our pets Aslan and Steppy.
Climbing Mount Dikeos with the dogs
One of the highlights was climbing Mount Dikeos. The hike up takes a couple of hours but the view from the top is brilliant. Overall we loved it on Kos and working for GASAH. It truly is a great organisation that made us rethink our opinions on animal welfare.

Workaway

We used the platform workaway to find the projects. Anyone considering volunteering, cultural exchanges or working holidays should definitely check it out. The same can be said for people looking to offer (host) opportunities. There is a huge variety of projects, from gardening, hotel work, working with people or animals, boat building…the list goes on. 

The platform is easy to use and gives a great overview based on location before showing descriptions of each project. The hardest part is selecting a project that best suits you (or doesn’t suit, if you want to push yourself out of your comfort zone). Once that’s done, the rest is down to you! Happy Workawaying!

kg of olives picked
0
ml of essential oil destilled
0
Stray animals caught, neutered and released
0

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