Why didn’t The Idiot swim around the Mediterranean Sea instead of walking around it? He asks himself that question whenever it warms up each spring.

As a Masters swimmer, The Idiot actually did consider crawling and breaststroking around the Mediterranean when he launched the 20-year MedTrek in 1998 (after all, a number of people have sailed or motored around it) but opted to hike instead. However he did take frequent dips in the sea, including his swim across the Hellespont to get from Europe to Asia in Turkey.

Here are just a few shots of The Idiot in the water and at a few favorite swimming holes during the MedTrek.

Naturally The Idiot usually just takes off his clothes and gets in a quick dip simply to take a break from the rigors of the MedTrek.

Naked in Greece.

Naked in Turkey.

Don’t think he’s always nude. He wears a suit and goggles when he explores underwater antiquities or works out on the surface — and even a bit more clothing when it’s chilly or there are people or jellyfish around.

Checking out an ancient underwater city in Turkey.
(Photo: Liz Chapin)

Working out in Cyprus.
(Photo: Liz Chapin)

Half-dressed to determine the water depth before fording a river in Italy.
(Photo: Judy Barnett)

Suited up for protection from jellyfish.

Sometimes there are very practical reasons to get in the sea with or without a suit on.

The Idiot took a welcome and cleansing dip in the Med after a volcanic sulfur-smelling mud bath in Sicily.

Exploring a cave in Turkey.

The Idiot usually swims alone but occasionally invites people to join him.

Training with two Australians before the swim across the Hellespont in Turkey.
(Photo: Des Baum)

Inviting a Ukrainian tourist for a swim on Zakynthos.

Naturally The Idiot has scores of favorite swimming holes on Mediterranean shores.

An Idiot-ic swimming hole in Morocco.

An Idiot-ic swimming hole on Zakynthos.

An Idiot-ic swimming hole on Crete.

An Idiot-ic swimming hole in Italy.

An Idiotic swimming hole in Egypt.

Follow

About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."