We arrive into Santorini 40 minutes late on Friday, September 10 - clearly the G time here is not Germany :). The views coming into Santorini are amazing, am so excited to be here and look forward to seeing some of the Island.
I'd rang my hotel 10 minutes ago to tell them I was close, fingers crossed they don't leave me on the dock waiting waiting waiting. I've got pool time to enjoy :)
Getting off the boat I notice the water, its clear (which surprises me given its the Port) and I want to jump right in! Wouldn't be so nice though with all the boat fumes.
There are lots of people on the wharf, some holding signs waiting for people others holding signs of their hotels trying to pick up business. Thank goodness I'd prebooked, saves me the hassle of trying to work out where to stay.
I have a couple of minutes wait before the hotel manager came for me, I had missed him standing with everyone else. The road up from the wharf is windy and slow, many people are on the road. The rock face is great, I realise that I don't know much about Santorini so need to do some research. We make a stop at the supermarket before continuing on for another stop. I remember the reviews on trip advisor saying the owner is a very busy man so aren't surprised we make stops.
On arrival at the hotel he carries my elephant, ye ha no more carrying for over a week :) I'm told to sit, and wait for a few minutes for him to return with a drink and maps. He speeds through everything and I'm sure I'll forget everything! Oh well I'm sure I survive. I'm then taken to my room, nice and basic. The biggest thing is there is a/c and a small safe. I literally unpack the second he has left, I want to feel like I'm holiday here. Yes I realise I'm on a 2.5 month holiday but I have been busy before arriving here plus living out of an elephant isn't much fun.
It's now after 2pm and I'm hungry so head out for lunch. This day just seems to be going on and on and it's only mid afternoon. The hotel is a good 10 minutes walk to the "township" where the first street I come too is lined with bars, restaurants, cafes and shops.
After going to the local supermarket to stock up on supplies (water, vino, olives, fruit and things for lunch) I return to the hotel and have a few hours by the pool. There are lots of books, magazines and papers so I catch up on all the news. Wayne Rooney you are an idiot!! Nothing on the AB's playing tomorrow though.
I decide to wander down to the beach front for dinner, very brave of me I think given it took me 2 nights in Athens before I left the hotel. It also helps that the hotel I'm staying at doesn't have a restaurant.....well not that I know about. I'd looked online to get recommendations and was pleased to see a few places on my wander. Decided on one and was set. Got chatting to an older couple on the table next to me which I really enjoyed. They encouraged me to try the grilled sardines which were molto buono. I also had an eggplant salad which was out of this world - its definitely one of my favourite vegetables and I know I'll be eating more of it while I'm here.
Even though I've been here less than one day I'm thinking I might move half way through my stay. I'm sure once the ladies from Saudi arrive things will change and knowing my luck they won't be close! I was expecting cobblestone streets and white washed houses.
I'm finding things quite a lot more expensive in Greece than in Italia - now remind me which country had huge financial troubles? Ah yes that's right Greece.....why oh why aren't things cheaper I ask.
Saturday morning I had a bit of a sleep in before having breakfast in the hotel - rather a different standard to what I've come use to while in Athens, however I won't stave! I will definitely suffer with the coffee which is instant.....I'm blown away by this and tomorrow will be having a cup of tea instead, going elsewhere for my coffee.
After dressing myself in sun screen I retire to the pool for the day - what bliss. Pick a book and settle in. Am being careful with my money so make a Greek salad (ok not quite given I'm missing cucumbers and red onions) with the produce I brought yesterday for my lunch. Am going to try to do this most days as spending around EUR 13 each day on lunch is just too expensive me thinks, if I had a job I know I wouldn't batter an eyelid but alas I do not.
After I'd drowned the bathroom having a shower I have a glass of the EUR 4.90 vino I brought yesterday and am pleasantly surprised it's not too bad. I've definitely had worse. When I think it's an acceptable time to wander down to the beach front for dinner I head off. The place I decided to eat it has people sitting there which is great, if there was no one I would have gone elsewhere. Sitting on the beach edge listening to the water break on the beach is just wonderful – one sound I will never tire off.
Sunday after breakfast in the hotel I head down to the beach front for coffee - just couldn't stomach having instant coffee again! Walked from one end to the beach to the other and was amazed more people weren't in the sea. The beach is black sand and small rocks, definitely doesn't look comfortable just lying on a towel. Got myself a little lost on my return journey and after a few minutes of being pointed in the right direction the sky opened and rain appeared - it was a welcome break in the sun for me however from the looks of everyone else it wasn't so welcome.
On arrival back to the hotel I make a Greek salad, this time with cucumber that I've just purchased and relax on my balcony reading a magazine.
The afternoon is spent at the pool, being in and out of the water - this is the life!
I had heard from the girls I met in Athens, they were staying at the beach south of where I was (Kamari Beach) which is great. They have booked a tour for tomorrow afternoon which will be great.
Monday morning I woke early and researched hotels for my next stop - honestly this just takes so much time! After breakfast had an hour at the pool before getting ready for my afternoon out. I'm meeting the girls and going on a boat trip.
I managed to have a very quick lunch then ended up waiting for them to arrive - always the way but this being Greece everything takes so much longer and when you are going on someone else's time (the driver) one needs to wait. Thankfully I'd met up with two others that were coming with us so it helped to pass the time.
We drove into Fira, the capital of Santorini and took the cable car down to the wharf. The views were amazing, very steep cliff and the water very blue. Now this is the Greece I've read and been told about. We have a short wait before the boat leaves - it's a medium sized sail boat, beautiful to look at. Let's hope everything goes well with the choppy waters.
We have a quick 10 minute motor, so much for the sailing let's hope that comes later, before arriving at the Volcano. Within a few minutes of docking our "camp mother" was blowing her whistle for us all to follow - ooh this so isn't going to be a relaxing afternoon that we all thought! She explained we had a 1km walk uphill on the volcano and if we didn't want to go we could remain on the boat. This is a once in a life time chance so I'm definitely walking even though I haven't got the best foot attire on.....jandels / havaianas but hey they will do.
It was tough going with all the rocks and sand but the views were totally worth it. On arrival at the top we were able to smell the sulphur, and were advised that we would have enough time to get to the boat should it decide to erupt right now - always good to know!!!!
I must say I was pleased to get back to safely of the boat.
We motored a short distance to the hot springs and anchored up to go swimming - aah the water. I really wish I could sallow it all up and take with me. Was great to se swimming in the sea again, my first time since being in Santorini.
Before too long the bloody whistle was going again, time to get out of the water and head off for our meal. This was Greek Mezes and a couple of giant casks of wine. Food was very good, wine....well no comment but I did drink a couple of glasses.
After awhile we were off again, this time up to Oia (at the top of the island) to see the famous sunset. Great to be on the water to see this and boy it's amazing! Snapped awhile like crazy in the hope that one will come out. Just as the sun said it's finally goodbye the jazz player started. Great end to a lovely day....that's until my so called friend requested him to play Happy Birthday for me. Let me tell you it wasn't fun for me and I so nearly jumped overboard. If it had been for anyone else it would have been lovely.
On arrival back into Fira we all decided to take a donkey/mule up the 500+ stairs instead of the cable car. What a great experience this was. I'm just sorry I couldn't take better photos (it was pitch black). We had a wander through the Fira cobblestone streets before getting our car home. I can't wait to move here on Thursday and have a few days to wander around.
I was pretty had it so after a quick bite to eat it was straight back to my hotel to sleep.
Tuesday I had the majority of the day at the pool. There was lots of activity with new guests arriving. I got talking to an Australian Greek woman who invited me to go to Oia with her and her two daughters to see the sunset - I jumped at the chance to see it again and be in another village.
Oia is right at the top of the island and like Fira is full of cobblestone streets. We just followed the crowds all going in the same direction. The sunset was again amazing! Totally worth you all booking flights right now :) I recommend flying to Athens then straight to Santorini, not bother with the ferries.
The girls were basically asleep (due to jet lag) so instead of going where we thought for dinner we just stopped at a small village and had a delicious home cooked Greek meal. Certainly helps when they can speak Greek! I'm terrible and can't even manage hello - not good at all.
Wednesday I woke early and after breakfast braved the pool, it was cold and with the wind it made it colder. Once you are in though it all changes. After a couple of hours I headed off to meet the girls where they are staying - Perisaa Beach. Would be super easy to walk there if there wasn't a giant mountain in-between us! So instead I took a small boat, this took about 20 minutes and both getting on and off I thought I was going to be saying a sad farewell to my trusty havianas. Thankfully both times I was saved by someone grabbing them for me!
I met the girls on the beach and we had a very lazy day - chatting, swimming and drinking. Perfect way to spend a day. Early evening we headed back to their hotel in two groups, the group that was driving had a small accident so that put an end to us going to Kamari (where I'm staying for one more night) for dinner and drinks. Instead we had drinks on one of their balconies and had something to eat from the bakery. From here we went to the bar of their hotel and got chatting
to some older woman, very funny and entertaining. I was sung happy birthday again and presented with yet another present. This is so lovely but really I have no room.......
I took a taxi back to Kamari around 11pm and within a few minutes of taking off was thinking I was going to make the news, anyway alls well in the end and I leaped out of the taxi when I got to my hotel and about 30 minutes later my heart rate came back to it's normal speed.
Thursday morning I was up early, chatted to Irene and her two daughters (I'd been to Oia with them 2 days ago) then had a very slow breakfast - too busy talking to another two girls I met, who also happen to be from Melbourne so I'm thinking a trip to Melbourne is on the cards soon.
Checked out then started to pack up, yes things are done differently over here! The owner gave me a lift to Fira which was lovely, saved me an expensive taxi ride. After walking for what seemed like forever I finally found the hotel - they need to work on the directions they give to their guests. Checked in with no issues and was blown away by how much information the guy gave me. He even carried elephant to my room which I wanted to hug him for.
It was now lunch time so basically left straight after he did in search of food. I hadn't eaten much at breakfast this morning as I was feeling a little seedy so was starving. Choose the first place I came across and was set for the next 2 hours - I was now well use to "Greek" time, who am I kidding I'll snap out of it the second I get to the airport to fly to Italia!!
I wandered around Fira for a couple of hours, went into my first Church in over a week and looked into a few shops before returning back to the hotel for a swim. The pool is far from big and definitely not warm but it was nice and refreshing.
This morning when I packed I literally just threw everything in so spent awhile sorting through everything before heading out to see the sun setting. I decided to go to Franco's bar which had been recommended to me and had good reviews on trip advisor. I arrived about 15 minutes before the sun said night night, unfortunately though I didn't have my drink before then. Given it's my birthday week I went for a cosmo, and boy I'm not disappointed - how I've missed these! It was a little strange sitting there listening to classical music that was far too loud, in my opinion better to have no music at all as it ruined it for me.
I'd had a late afternoon snack so wasn't overly hungry but thought it best to have something given my cosmo :). Found a small place and had a Greek salad, my stable meal! I haven't had two Greek salads that are the same and unfortunately tonight's one wasn't that good.
Friday (17 September) I was up early, I wanted to walk to Oia and get away before the sun was at it's full blast - on leaving the hotel there was a cool breeze but the second I was out in the sun I realised I should have got up at 4am!!!! The walk was on the cliffs edge, for those of you who have been fortunate enough to go to Cinque Terre it was sort of like that however it was all on pavement and all uphill. My poor calves were screaming at me 10 minutes into it. It was wonderful walking without many people around, in fact it was just me and a handful of other people. The views into the caldera were wonderful, my camera got a great work out.
I managed to make it to Imerovigil and was stuck, there was no signs (not that there had been any before I got here) and there was no way I was going to continue on the open road given the Greeks drive like crazy people. So after trying for awhile to find the path I gave up and asked someone where the bus stop was, I'm going to make it to Oia come hell or high water.
After a yummy breakfast of yoghurt, honey and a small spoon of muesli with an average espresso I started wandering the alleyways. Every corner something caught my eye - wow this place is amazing! There are white houses with blue everywhere, an artist dream.
I decided to head back to Fira on the 12.20pm bus, the place was being taken over my tourists by the bus loads and wandering the streets without being trodden on is no long possible. Of course this being Greece the bus didn't leave on time, who knows why I walked quickly to make it. When it did finally arrive there was an argument, with hands and arms being risen, but thankfully it ended after a few minutes - if only people were more poliete and let parents with children get on before the mass dash it wouldn't have happened. When I finally got on, after the parents and child, I was lucky enough to get a seat. There was no way I wanted a repeat of this morning bus journey. 25 minutes later we arrive into Fira, sure bests walking 3 + hours in the hot sun.
I spent the afternoon swimming and reading - lovely way to pass a few hours.
Vino-o'clock sprung on me with no warning and I couldn't get out of my room quick enough. I'd decided to go to a restaurant that the front desk recommended and had good reviews on Trip Advisor, so my first stop was just for a glass of vino.
Dinner was delicious, I went on my waitresses recommendation - eggplant dip with pita bread then a beef, onion, tomato paste and olive oil stew type thing with rice, both were great and I struggled to finish them including the vino.
I got speaking to the table next door and gave them my left over vino, better than being thrown out. They're from Munich and gave me tips for my next stop.
Saturday (my birthday) I had a couple of hours relaxing in the sun reading and swimming, more like cooling off given the pool isn't exactly large!
Had to force down a yoghurt before going out for coffee, I was still full from last nights dinner but knew if I didn't eat anything I would be hungry as soon as I left the hotel! I had coffee at a place I'd seen on my walk home last night and boy I wasn't disappointed - not only was it the cheapest I'd had since being on Santorini it was the best I'd had since arriving in Greece. I will be returning tomorrow and each day until I leave.
From here I had a wander for about an hour, it was getting very hot so headed off to the supermarket to buy things for a SADJ Greek salad then straight home, where I spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun. A very lazy birthday but a nice one so far.
Tonight I will be drinking much earlier than yesterday, it is after all my birthday and for some crazy reason the last couple of days my lunch has been missing vino - who knows what I was thinking!
I had been recommended Tropical Bar, which is Aussie, to go for drinks so just before 6pm I set off. Arrived just in time to take the last balcony table and order a fresh strawberry daiquiri - look out Feather Boa, Tropical gives you a run for your money!! No chocolate covered glass though. The view is out of this world, I could sit staring at it all day every day. I wonder if they need staff.....
I got talking to a couple behind me, as I do after a few drinks - Michael and Jasmine, from Hawaii, were on their honeymoon. I had probably a good hour and a half talking to them. On leaving the owner/manager informed me they paid for one of my drinks (thank you SO much!!) and gave me a shot before giving me two recommendations for dinner.
I was having issues finding the first place she recommended, it just wasn't where she had told me it was going to be and please trust me that it wasn't the daiquiris speaking.
I saw the second place she recommended so went on it, they sat me down and I asked to sit by the window, to start with they said no so I thought stuff it and pulled out the it's my birthday line so got moved.
The guys on the table next door overheard and said Happy Birthday, a good 30 minutes later I'm still standing talking to them - Butch and Chris. They live in LA.
They told me the other place I'd been recommended, and couldn't find, was crazy expensive so I was glad I didn't find it.
Finally sat down at my table at 9.45pm, super late to be eating but hey it's my birthday!! I went with the appetizer that was recommended but not the main, I am not super hungry anymore so ordered another appetizer. I didn't see the point in eating a big meal just for the sake of it.
Sunday (19 September) I woke early due to the Church bells a-ringing. Went for coffee and breakfast at my new favourite coffee place before returning to the pool for a couple of hours.
I had managed to get away with wearing not a great deal of my clothes but as this was about to change went off in search of a laundry matt. 45 minutes later my room smells nice but looks like a Chinese laundry!! Let's hope it's all dry by the time I come to pack tomorrow.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool and couldn't believe it when I heard the Church bells a-ringing informing me it was 5pm, the day seems to have flown by.
After finally getting out of my togs (for those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about, it's what you swim in) and feeling clean I headed back to Tropical Bar. Unfortunately I was later than last night and had second row seats for the sunset - the view is still great though.
At dinner I got speaking to the couple next to me, the menu didn't knock me over and I wanted to ask them it it was rude if I got up and left. In the end I decided to stay and ordered my staple food - eggplant dip and Greek salad. I was super tired (I've had a busy day sun bathing!) and was literally just shovelling the food down. There was an older looking man eating by himself who kept looking at me. Within minutes of my neighbours upping and leaving he came over and asked if I was in a rush, and if not would I like to join him. I was two mouthfuls from asking for the cheque so apologised, I would have fallen asleep at the table. On walking out I said sorry again, he answered that he was the sorry one.......To sleep I go!
Monday morning I was up early, needed to get to the post office before packing and checking out. I had another parcel of things to send home and was hoping there was no issues as me pack has no room for the stuff.
All good in the end, Monday morning is never a good time to be at the post office as so many other people are there. Back to the hotel, packed up and checked out.
I wandered around for a couple of hours, did a little bit of shopping before having my last lunch.
George, the owner of the hotel, took me and 4 others to the port which was brilliant! Typical Greek timing we were late leaving but it worked out for the best in the end as when we arrived at the port boarding hadn't started yet.
Goodbye Santorini, it's been great to be here and chill out!
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