Apr 11, 2013 - Santorini

When the boat arrived in Santorini harbour, I was overwhelmed by the reception of both humans and animals! The donkeys descended thick and fast down some of the steepest terrain I have ever seen, rushing to meet the ferry and haul the load of tourists up the steep steps to the town perched on the rocks above. Santorini is a submerged volcano that erupted eons ago, leaving a caldera behind. Its steep rock faces are covered with whitewashed villas clinging to the rock face like vines on a brick wall. There is a tradition in Santorini of...

Mar 10, 2013 - Naxos

Naxos is a bigger island than Paros and much larger than Antiparos. I found a lovely little room in a four-plex which even has a communal fridge and a tiny balcony overlooking a rather overgrown garden. Every morning I would wander into the village to buy fresh bread and watermelon for my breakfast -- heaven! I've explored the island on foot, following the rutted roads and pathways that criss-cross the island. Olive groves with lounging goats and sheep are everywhere and the air has a rich, dusty smell to it. I am so totally relaxed after...

Feb 4, 2013 - Paros

Boats to the Aegean Islands leave from the nearby community of Piraeus. I was told the trip to Paros would be a "few hours"......which turned into a gut-wrenching 8 as we stopped at various and sundry islands on the way. The seas were quite rough and I made the mistake of having some very rich coffee and yogurt for breakfast which didn't stay in my stomach for long. I spent most of the trip on deck! My first glympse of Paros was magical. A typical Greek island village, whitewashed with flashes of brilliant turqoise and teal, met my gaze....

Nov 13, 2012 - Mykonos

Again, we headed out on our own to walk the fishing village. It is a delightful town full of twists and turns and little crannies with quaint shops. The windmills were amazing and the main tourist destination in the island. This was a much more relaxed time than the past days and was quite a welcome respite. One of the stories we were told was that there are little chapels all over the island. These were built by sailors when they came back from a long time at sea to thank God for their safe journey - picture ten is an example of one of these....

Nov 7, 2012 - Santorini

Our first stop was the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. It is one of the islands that is pictured in the advertisements for Greece! We were fortunate, as the day after we left the water was so rough that the tenders were unable to bring teravlers off the cruise boats to shore. We took a bus trip to the winery where we had a tasting of 3 wines, which were pretty sweet. Then we crossed the island to Oia, a beautiful and quaint village at the top end of the island. We spent about two hours there wandering through the street and taking...

Sep 29, 2012 - Santorini, Greece

Arrived in Santorini at 15:00pm off the big ferry and to our waiting bus for a drive up the cliffs to the main part of the town and our hotel. Checked in a nice hotel with ac as the weather is quite warm, a bit of rest and a some time to do a up date to my travel log before heading out for walk in the town and some dinner with the rest of group. A nice dinner right on the side of the cliff, a stop at local bar for a couple drinks before heading back to the hotel. On the 30th I get a 4 wheeler and head off the explore the island, up to the...

Sep 27, 2012 - Ios

In the afternoon we head off to the port for our 15:00pm ferry to Ios, this is a super ferry carrying only passengers (450 if fully loaded but we are only a little over half) a hydrofoil type ship so it is very fast we have a 2 hour trip with a stop along the way. We get to Ios and our hotel, get checked in, a bit of time to relax and get ready for our trip to the local restaurant for a very nice dinner (a very large pork chop and fries), our hotel is near the sea port but the restaurant is in the main part of town which is up on top of the...

Sep 25, 2012 - Mykonos

A early morning start for my trip to Mykonos we leave the hotel at 06:00am and head to the Athens Piraeus port for our ferry to the island a trip taking 5 1/2 hours. at the port in Mykonos we board our waiting mini bus and off for our hotel, get checked in a bit of rest and lunch before out exploring the town. For this part of my tour I have new tour leader (Daria) and there are a total of 11 in this group all from Australia except for myself. After a walk about the town I am off for some dinner and a beer (now is that a big surprises, lol)...

Sep 10, 2012 - Fira, Volcanoes and Hot Springs

Another sunny Day in Santorini. I rise from the bed around 8am. Supposedly around 920am there is a meeting about the Tour I want to take. It takes 3hours and it consist of a boat ride to the Inactive volcano and Hot Springs for 15euros. That works for me. Well, I eat breakfast which features  3 pieces of toast. One slabbed with a strawberry mixture, one butter and the last a knockoff of Nutella. Wash it down with some instant coffee. Tried for another cup, however I dumped a truckload in one and tried to make two. Didn't work. It was just...

Sep 9, 2012 - Karterados, moving up North

I'm up, but semi-struggling and it's near 830am. I was told when I chatted with the hotel folks that I would get a ride to the bus stop in Karterados around 9am. That was my motivation. Get up, Get Out and Get moving. If I can't check in, at least I can drop them off and vamoose. No time wasting, straight to trekking or whatever may be on tap at that point in time. Mister PotLuck and I head towards reception to check out then my ride. Grandma is doing the books, give her the key and start to walkout. Of course after some light banter. She...

Sep 8, 2012 - Perissa Beaches

After my early morning bathtub snafu, I awake around 9am. I know where Im at, yet the day is eluding me. I grab some crackers,  Nutella and some water. Breakfast has been served. Not really Hungry. Perhaps it was the Local Wine talking to me. Todays agenda, taking the 1030am hotel bus to Red Beach and possibly check out the White and Black Beaches the area is known for. Yes, I ended a sentence in a preposition. Heck, if real writers can do it, I shall partake in the Grammar misdemeanor too. Tangent over. 1030am comes and we hop the bus...

Sep 7, 2012 - Santorini by boat

So, Gemma, my Bunkmate, was going to Santorini as well. Earlier that day, I told her to wake up when she does. We'll roll to the train station together. And it's 5am and I hear. Marc, Marc in a soft tone. Im like, it's 5am already. Guh! Scramble to pack my bag in the dark. The night before I THOUGHT I was going to pack and be already. Uh, that didn't happen. Oh well, 5mins later I'm dragging my butt with one eye open out the door. So tired, but I can sleep on the boat. It's almost 8 hours long. We jump the train which we will be on for...