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 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...

May 15, 2012 - Santorini

The seas were very rough last night and so when we arrived at Santorini, we were informed that the winds were very strong and that they had stopped running the lifts up to the top of the Island and that the waves were rough so they did not want to send any tenders to the Island. The captain explained that other boats had sent tenders and that they now had people stuck on the Island (not so bad if you ask me!). So after staying anchored for over an hour the captain made the decision to pull anchor and continue. So many sad faces. I was...

Apr 8, 2012 - Santorini, Greece

Today’s port of call is the island of Santorini. The island and its surrounding islets were formed from a colossal volcanic eruption in 1650 BC that echoed across the ancient world and created a huge, deep-blue caldera (submerged crater). As we sail in, we realize that we are sailing into the caldera. Vertical cliffs rise sharply from the water’s edge and they appear to be snowcapped. Sailing closer, the mystery of “snow” is revealed as dazzling white houses. The ship anchors inside the caldera. We tender over to the island’s new port,...

Mar 19, 2012 - Santorini

3-19 Lazy rising...blue outside, sea, sky...we discuss our plans thinking of today only. Later we walk down to town center and at Blue Star ferry discover we have a lot more time than we thought. Because of the strike in Athens ( Piraeus), ferries even between islands are limited! Next known/scheduled ferry coming/leaving here is SATURDAY, ha! Plans! This too shall change...Bon is now on internet to discover what our travel agency in Iran is able to tell us. I sit in a very upscale cafe with street side outside seating drinking Greek coffee...

Mar 18, 2012 - Santorini via ferry & Paros, Naxos & past Ios

Wiki Info Santorini Ferry to Santorini...up at 5am Sunday, quiet just the rattle of our wheels in the dark, narrow cobblestone streets to the Metro. Sunrise over Athens, very hazzy! Amazing how this huge ship almost effortlessly maneuvers out of the harbor crowded with vessels of all sizes. Blue sky, radiant tea sea ahead. The 8+hrs. 'flew by playing crib (Mari won) and rummy (I won). First stop was Paros Island Wiki Info Paros home of pure white marble from which Venus de Milo and Nepoleon's tomb were carved. Next stop Naxos Wiki Info...

Nov 5, 2011 - Day 6 - Santorini, Greece

I know it's repetitive, but what an awesome day! We anchored in the Sea of Crete on the West side of the Greek island of Santorini, and took tender boats onto the shore. Centuries ago, Santorini was called Thera, and sometime before 1600 BC, Thera erupted and the Minoan civilization did not survive. Over the centuries, the Egyptians, Venetians, and Turks have all occupied the island. Today, Santorini is considered one of the most picturesque among the Greek Islands. We traveled to the tip of the island to the village of Oia ( pronounced...

Nov 4, 2011 - Ephesus, Turkey

Today we arrived in Kusadesi, Turkey and then took a bus to the ancient City of Ephesus, one of the most magnificent archelological excavations in the world. In the 2nd Century B.C if was the second biggest city outside of Rome and one of the most important . . . kind of like the New York City of its day. All important people visited there, including Cleopatra and Mark Anthony as well as Apostle John and Apostle Paul. Also, it was a main artery on the Silk Road and the Spice Road. These were the routes the people in that era used to...

Nov 2, 2011 - Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a small archepelago of volcanic islands, essentially what remains of a large volcanic explosion. It was first settled in 3000 B.C. and became the site of an important civilization around 2000 B.C. Then a volcanic erruption happened which left the island uninhabited for centuries. It was resettled by the Phoenicians and then again for a Dorian colony around 1000 B.C. The day on Santorini was really great. . . first we visited the village of Oia which was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Better than you can...

Oct 13, 2011 - heading to Amsterdam tomorrow

cannot believe our trio is coming to its conclusion. Santorini had some questionable weather but today was glorious, basked I the sun, went for dinner to the most amazing place, terrace right on the sea, watching g the sun go down, even staff were Taking pictures it was so spectacular. Food was amazing as it has been here I Greece. Darren and I were able to enjoy great food, great wine, the sunset but most of all another. We have had such an amazing time, we both feel wiser, more open, and connected to another. We have met some beautiful...