Yassas everyone! Today I am very excited -- I am finally going to Santorini after years of dreaming about it! The ferry ride from Crete to Santorini is almost cancelled due to very high winds, which makes for an eventful ride. Good Lord. Never seen so many sick people together in one spot in all my life. For those like me who are lucky not to get seasick, the sound of 100 + people continuously heaving the contents of their last meal could persuade our stomachs otherwise. Fortunately, I managed to fall asleep and so the ride went well for me. Made a mental note to buy some anti-nausea pills for the next ferry ride, though....
Before you see what Santorini looks like from my lens' point of view, here's a brief history of this fascinating place. Thousands of years ago, Santorini was a large round island; its original name, Strongili, means 'Round One'. (Many historians and conspiracy theorists believe that Strongili was the South-Western edge of the lost continent of Atlantis-- but that's another blog). Its inhabitants, the Minoans, had no idea they were living on one of the planet's most active volcanoes. Circa 1613 BC, a colossal explosion caused Strongili's caldera to erupt and sink, and a half-circle of towering cliffs was left standing. The island was eventually recolonized by Romans, Venetians and Turks, but continuous volcanic activity over the next 2000 years made life difficult for residents. In 1956, a major earthquake devastated the island; every village needed to be rebuilt.
Before you see what Santorini looks like from my lens' point of view, here's a brief history of this fascinating place. Thousands of years ago, Santorini was a large round island; its original name, Strongili, means 'Round One'. (Many historians and conspiracy theorists believe that Strongili was the South-Western edge of the lost continent of Atlantis-- but that's another blog). Its inhabitants, the Minoans, had no idea they were living on one of the planet's most active volcanoes. Circa 1613 BC, a colossal explosion caused Strongili's caldera to erupt and sink, and a half-circle of towering cliffs was left standing. The island was eventually recolonized by Romans, Venetians and Turks, but continuous volcanic activity over the next 2000 years made life difficult for residents. In 1956, a major earthquake devastated the island; every village needed to be rebuilt.
Driving up from the port to my hotel, here was my first glimpse of Santorini and the hilltop village of Fira:
In the off-season (which is now), some hotels significantly lower their rates, allowing backpackers like me to feel like a Queen! Pardon the possible bragging; I just can't believe I get to stay in a cute, charming hotel like this one on Santorini!
My tiny little heaven for 5-6 nights (I haven't yet decided how long to stay).
A heavy cloud cover moves in as I move towards Fira, Santorini's cliff-hugging capital. But that's OK. Still beautiful!
And here's Fira. My view looking South....
...then looking North. Holy cow!
Quite the large city, considering its location. Here's a close-up.
Yay, the sun comes out! What a difference in the colors!
OK, gonna try to catch some interesting angles for the next few photos....
This old boat is sitting on top of a restaurant's roof.
Someone's adorable little house. Brings to mind Luke Skywalker's home. Or maybe it's just me.
So as you've no doubt figured out, there aren't exactly front yards in this city. Fira isn't very wide either, maybe two city blocks in width. You just ramble along and follow the paths around, and not have to care about getting lost. You can walk 'downhill' on the cliffside until you hit a 'dead-end', usually a fence/sign reading, 'Private property'. But given the city's structure, residents must often open their front door to find a confused tourist standing there looking completely lost.
Below, the right (brown) path is someone's walkway. The left (grey) path is a sidewalk, even though it passes under an archway and smack in front of someone's entrance.
A copy of Venus de Milo finds a nice spot to hang out; much nicer -- in my opinion -- than its original's spot (The Louvre in Paris). She's got good abs, this girl.
At the Northern end of the village. Wow.
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