GREECE18_SANTORINI
DAY 16-18 | SANTORINI
DAY 16 | September 14, 18
Today started off at 6:00 A.M. where we went down to the ferry that departed at 6:45 A.M. Three hours later we found ourselves off the coast of Santorini. Although not very impressive from the ferry grounds, as we made our way inland, you could start to see the iconic and picturesque white buildings and blue windowpanes/roof tops it was known for.
After walking down to the beach to grab lunch, my friend Darline and I took a bus an hour way to Oia. We strolled the streets weaving in and out of the white walls, colorful streets and scenic views. After scouting out the best possible sunset spot we landed near the ocean on what some people seem to call ‘the castle’. Of course it was already crowded an hour away from sunset but we managed to take the more ‘dangerous/adventurous’ spots, according to an onlooker, a place on some rocks that some might say pretty much drops off to a cliff. Good thing we brought out hiking shoes… not. We stood atop these rocks in sandals but I have to say we probably had the best seat in the house. This angle allowed us to see both the boats and the landscape. As a photographer it truly was the best of both worlds. This sunset in particular was epic; just when think it can’t get any better… it does. It was amazing to watch the colors in the sky and water change from the bright of day to evening. The sun finally turned ox blood red and the sky began to split and streak into fire bright colors. At the peak of sunset the whole city cheered as pirate looking ships passed by to catch a glimpse of the seaside red sunset; the whole scene felt magical. What world were we in? As the lanterns outside the houses turned on and the sky turned to a dusty purple/blue, we took a few twilight photos and headed to our last group dinner.
On the way back we found a van to take us to the halfway part of the bus stop. After nearly being dropped off at the wrong hotel, at who knows where in the countryside, we make it back to the bus stop to take the right bus to the right hotel. Along the way I meet two Australian guys on vacation from Sydney who helped us find the proper stop; not a bad end to the night!
I’ve included photos that act as a time lapse in that they capture the different light on the cliff side as sunset approaches. Skim through or slowly browse; either way… enjoy.
DAY 17 | September 15, 18
Today Rachel and I got up around 7:00 A.M. and found our way to a local coffee shop where we watched the sea and enjoyed the scenery.
Darline and I went parasailing this afternoon. We arrived, put on our life jackets, and two boats later were waiting for our chance to soar the skies. We were greeted a woman who had moved to Greece to work at this water sport company and took us by boat to go parasailing; Darlene and I instantly liked her. As we waited we befriended this amazing couple; Nicolas and Dianna. Diana was from Iraq and Nicolas worked as a security guard for the royal family. We chatted about life, traveling and relationships; so pretty much everything. We took pictures of their experience and they did the same for us. What really struck me though, was my conversation with Diana later that day in the boat, as we were heading back. She mentioned she was from Iraq and met Nicolas because he was in the army over there. I also learned that she and her entire family survived a bombing in 2006 during the war that left her entire neighborhood and house completely destroyed, however she and her family miraculously survived and walked out with only cuts and bruises. She mentioned that while she was over there it was everyday life to see people dying on the streets. She spoke of how she helped the refugees in the camps. She spoke of how these experiences forced her to grow up quickly because she always had to be aware of what was happening and if her family around her was okay. I asked her if that was weird or strange for her to now be in England for the past 9 months where her life now looks entirely different then it did before, just only a year ago. She said yes, and the fact that everyone around you carries on and lives their lives as if everything is okay, completely unaware of the harsh reality going on in other parts of the world… that it’s a strange phenomenon. To have life carry on normally but only months ago to have just come from a corner of the world, where you barely escaped with your life. It struck me and left my heart heavy; feeling in awe of this woman, only 23, who has already lived and encountered so many hardships at such a young age. Perspective is a crazy thing; hearing stories like this, let alone firsthand, make you realize how blessed we truly are to live where you are currently safe, without war on our shores and where you are free to be whoever you’d like to become and worship whatever God you choose.
As we were parting ways and about to sail to our next stop, I saw Diana come running back. She took off a bracelet she was wearing with a tiny cross and offered it to me saying, “Something to remember me by”. I was so moved and touched. My heart was full; she and Nicolas are people I feel we were truly meant to meet. I felt both honored and blessed to have heard their story and have the chance to experience a small chapter of life with them.
Parasailing, itself, was amazing. I love literally seeing the world from another perspective. Floating over the ocean, looking down at the moving turquoise water, while seeing everything for miles, from way up high feels so free.
Darline and I later grabbed lunch, which was an incredible salmon dish, and headed over to the next town to see the famous volcano. Diana had told me that today is the annual Volcano Festival; the anniversary of the 3,000-year-old eruption and that tonight there would be fire works to celebrate. After spotting the volcano and visiting a cute little town that over looked it. We walked back to the bus, the air filled with musicians creating a beautifully arranged stringed ambiance, and headed back over to Oia.
When we got there is seemed crowded per usual; we wandered the streets, meeting store owners and browsing the many artisan craft works. I had heard about an incredible (and famous) bookshop called Atlantis books. We stumbled upon it and of course I had to go inside. The shop itself was incredibly beautiful with artwork placed in all kinds of places around the shop and naturally, books lining the interior. Inside you find color-coordinated walls, books, posters and notebooks. With the help of the store worker, Craig, I walked out with a few new books a variety of fiction fantasy, factual books and lastly a book on the ancient art of persuasion and psychology.
After making our way towards sunset and near the spectacular cliff side view of Oia, Darlene and I asked a local shop owner if she could take out photo. She did and afterwards we went inside her store to browse and chat. We learned her name was Maria, she and her family owned the shop. We had a great time seeing her artistic style come to life while she fashioned pieces together. We asked her what she recommended for dinner, she gave us the name of this amazing restaurant and told us to ask for Vicilles (the owner of the restaurant). She told us to tell him Maria sent us. As we fought our way through the sunset crowd, we found the restaurant, tucked away beneath the sea of people. It seemed to us as though the restaurant was sold out, as most of the tables all said reserved, however we asked for a table for two and they sat us down in the back, but still enough to see the incredible twilight sky. We asked to meet Vicilles as Maria had instructed us. We met him right away and told him that Maria recommended his restaurant and we were excited to be there (his restaurant was dead center on the cliff-side). A couple minutes later, to our surprise, Vicilles walks back over and tells us he has a different table for us; a table for two right along the cliff and seaside overlooking the entire ocean and stacked white building mountain scenery. The view was literally breathe taking. It faced the scenery we had seen at sunset yesterday, only this time we were in the middle of it; it had a perfect view. As the minutes passed by, we watched what would be our last sunset in Greece, as once again, the sky went from rosy reds, pinks, yellow, orange, blues, turquoises, greens and finally to darkness. The moon was in the shape of a crescent and gave a faint glow in the distant sky as the many ships passed by on the ocean in front of us, their lights twinkling on the black ocean. The latnerns of the city sparkled like stars. You could hear the fireworks from the volcano festival as we experienced their insane risotto; it was the best meal I have had in Greece.
After experiencing a perfect night we headed back to the bus stop and then back to our hotel; Greece, Santorini, you’ve been wonderful.
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DAY 18 | September 16, 18
One other really interesting fact I learned about Santorini is that it is known for possibly being home to what some believe to be the lost city of Atlantis. 3,000 years ago the city had sophisticated technologies including 4 story high buildings, running water systems with s curve toilets, and towering city structures. This society bought papyrus from Egypt with documentation that can be seen today.
3,000 years ago there was a massive volcano eruption whose explosion left the city buried under 30 feet of ash. What scientists found under the ash was this advanced city of ruins, however they also discovered that the people living there had some way of knowing about the eruption before it happened, as there were no bodies or remains discovered. It remains a mystery as to where these people went.
They also say the eruption and it’s timeline, dates back to that of Moses from the Bible. They say it was this volcano that caused ash to fill the sky and created as the bible says, the sky to turn to darkness for three days.
Another interesting fact was that the island of Crete had a massive earthquake that happened around the same time as the volcano eruption. The volcano created a tsunami that caused the death of many people as they tried to flee the earthquake on Crete. It is this earthquake and tsunami that some believe caused the parting of the red sea, also mentioned the Bible. It’s really interesting to hear how everything seems to tie together forming an intertwining timeline.
The morning started off at 5:30 A.M. and began with watching the sun start as a red dot in the distance to a spectacular full circle fireball. The sky coupled with the sea filled the distance with familiar color. It was nice to grab a latte from my new favorite coffee shop that is ten feet from the ocean. We watched the rest of the sunrise and got ready to head to the airport. This has been such an incredible trip with so many amazing memories. It's hard to choose a favorite place and time as each holds memorable experiences with such uniqueness’ of it's own. I am thankful to have met so many incredible people on this trip and blessed to have had the opportunity to experience a tiny fraction of Greece with them.