The first with Week 1 saw us living it up in Paris, week 2 saw us exploring the hills of Switzerland and week 3 we moved onto Venice, Florence and Sorrento, week 4 off to Rome and Santorini where we left off..
DAY 23 - JUNE 13 SANTORINI
As usual, the day started with a run, but only 1/2 hour though as a big day ahead. We headed for the boat about 9.00am, to walk the stairs down, which take about 15 mins to the port. Our boat was and old sailing ship, so it made it feel very authentic.
Our first stop was an island with an active volcano, no action or lava just a bit of a smell. When this actual volcano erupted it spat rocks as far as China and sent 120m tsunami waves, unfathomable...
Next was the hot springs which weren't that hot, and only part of the ocean in a bay...The water tasted like rust and about 25 degrees. It was back in the boat and we headed over to Thirassia, a fairly uninhabited island which was once part of Santorini. Here we had our lunch and walked to the top (again about 700 steps) and swam in the crystal clear waters.
It was delightful with the banks being volcanic rocks. By 3.30pm, it was time to move on and back to Fira via Oia via the coastline. It was an awesome trip with not too many people on the boat. The best 20 euros spent yet. Back up the stairs and back to the hotel.
We were exhausted so we found a hot chicken and craved some salad so we made our own baguettes. A bit of normality in the food department is long sought ofter!
DAY 24 - JUNE 14 SANTORINI
 |
| There are just photographs begging to be taken EVERYWHERE! |
Our rooms are nice with with the building being built into the cliff side. It gets really glarey with the sun reflecting off the sea in the evenings. It was a slow day, with an afternoon on the balcony reading, watching boats below come and go. When I say boats, I mean the cruise ships. It is so busy when they offload the tourists, and the shops are full and then all of a sudden quiet again.
There is no TV in our rooms so we headed out for a walk after dinner about 8pm to a hill off Imerovigli, about an hour all up, the watch the sunset and get some shots back to Fira. It was a bit scary getting to the top with the wind blustering us around but well worth it.
We were back by 9.30pm and really the place was only just coming alive with this being the time that Greek's venture out for their meals.
DAY 25 - JUNE 15 SANTORINI
We slept in as much as we could and seeing as though I am not real good at sitting and looking, we then caught the bus to Kamari Beach on the opposite side of the island. Again, it is black volcanic sand/rock with clear, clear waters. We found a tree and relaxed for a few hours.
We returned at 4pm and rested some more..and headed out for some people watching. It is amazing how much you rely on TV for the nightly entertainment...just the background noise. Plenty of reading. Today really has been our first day of pure resting since we started this holiday and we only have 1 more day here before heading to Athens.
DAY 26 - JUNE 16 - SANTORINI
 |
| the view from our room overlooking Caldera |
Restful arvo then had some chicken gyros for dinner and walked along the caldera watching the sunset. We are leaving at 6am in the morning to fly to Athens.
DAY 27 - JUNE 17 - ATHENS
 |
| The Acropolis |
On arriving at Athens, we caught the shuttle bus to our hotel on Athina's street, Hotel Attolos. Clean rooms and really central. The city seems a little disappointing in what we were expecting, but we made the most of it. After a spot of shopping we caught the tram to go along the coastline. Pebble beaches, but chockers with locals.
After two tram breakdowns (which is apparently common) we were over it and went back to the hotel. A walk up to the Acropolis and Pantheon next on the list where we got some great views over the city and watched the sunset.
We have left a few things to do for tomorrow while we wait for Monday. It really is hot here so it limits what we can comfortably get done during the day.
DAY 28 - JUNE 18 - ATHENS
 |
| View from Lycabettus Hill overlooking the city and Olympic Stadium |
We started with a walk to see the original Olympic Stadium, it was in better shape than I thought, with a tartan track. They are restoring it beautifully. On the way back we strolled through the Plaka and looked at the markets.
The train ride to Pireus was interesting, it is where all the major ships come and go. Full of Indians and pretty dirty and shabby (not in a chic kind of way). There were some flea markets there and it was hot and feral!
Back by 2pm for a rest and dinner and a walk up Lycabettus Hill, where you gain another great view of the city. The white buildings just go forever...the pollution is another negative factor here. In the evening, we sat on the rooftop bar of our hotel and watched the sunset, reflecting on all the different parts that have made up our holiday. From living it up in Paris, to travelling through Switzerland, Italy and Santorini, we have covered a lot in this holiday.
The view is nice but the view from my house is unbeatable and can't wait to see it again...
Have you travelling to Europe? What was your no. 1 greatest memory?
On Another note:
I hope you all had a nice Australia Day, thankyou to everyone who entered my Bakers Delight Competition. It is my first blog giveaway so it was a nice one to kickstart it off and give you all the opportunity to win something...which will all love...which you all had pretty good odds in!!
So, please spin the balls we are looking for a winner....
and the winner is.....
Congratulations Cheryl at Beachcomber
Please contact me via email with your postal address and I will send you out the vouchers ASAP.
.jpg)
{ 0 komentar... Views All / Send Comment! }
Posting Komentar