Amazing Santorini

After a morning swim at Plaka Beach on the island of Naxos in Greece, I boarded the ferry to the amazing island of Santorini. Having spent most of my time in Greece (except for two days in Athens) in small towns and less touristy destinations, I was not prepared for the overwhelming onslaught of tourists flocking to Santorini. I swear the ferry tipped port side as everyone on board gathered to see Santorini as it came into view for the first time.




Santorini's uniqueness is that it is shaped somewhat like a crescent with multicolored cliffs and villages on the ridges. The surreal landscape is relic of what was probably the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded history. There is still an active volcano, Nea Nameni, which is accessible only by boat


We were herded into buses at island's main port, Athinino, and climbed the cliffs to Fira where we could disperse to different areas of the island. I headed to the youth hostel in Oia with a bus full of tourist anxious to watch the sunset.

I must admit, I took part in this ritual. About an hour before sunset people are staking out the best viewing sites.


Santorini is famous for its spectacular sunsets. The village of Oia on the northern tip of the island is a hugely popular sunset viewing site because there is an uninterrupted view of the sun as it finally sinks below the horizon.






Spetacular or what?!?!

The moon rose as left my sunset perch.

Day Two in Naxos

Since I was staying in a studio room in Plaka about 100 yard from this lovely beach, I woke each morning and swam in the Aegean Sea.


While navigating the maze of streets in Kastro the day before, I met a German woman, Johanna, and we became fast friends. My second day in Naxos, we took the bus up the hillside to the historic village of Halki which was once the center of Naxian commerce and full of handsome facades of old villas and tower houses.



The artists Katharina Bolesch and Alexander Reichardt were highly recommended in the Lonely Planet book and I now know why. We spent at least an hour in their lovely gallery!

Next, a hike up the hillside where we foraged for figs & grapes.




We returned for a swim at Agia Anna Beach followed with dinner as we watched the sunset over the island of Paros.






Another perfect day, except that there was no time for painting.

Tomorrow Santorini.....