Southern Part of Santorini

Having another extra day on Santorini, I traveled to the southern part where I visited Ancient Thira and Red Beach.

A strategic location on the hill top of Mesa Vouno mountain, you can walk through the ancient ruins of the city of Thira which dates back to 8th c. B.C. The site consists of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins including temples, houses, an agora (market), a theatre, and a gymnasium. There are splendid views from the mountain.

I took some photos and did a sketch while spending time experiencing the "vibes" of antiquity.










Next stop, a must see, the red cliffs at Red Beach. The water is crystal clear with smooth, hand-size pebbles.




After a dip in the Sea, I did a quick watercolor painting.


Back in time for one last sunset on Santorini from Firostefoni while eating an amazing dinner of fresh fish and veggies, olive spread on bread, and a glass of local wine.








Need I say, a stellar day?!?!?

Day Two on Santorini

Excited to explore Santorini, I was up early and walked down to Katharos Beach and Amoudi Bay from the village of Oia.



My destination for the day was Paradise Beach a black sand beach 3.5 kilometers from the youth hostel in Oia. I started out early, but vowed that I would NOT walk back in the Greece heat.

Along the way I found wild sand orchids.



Paradise Beach was a welcome site after my long, hot journey.



After a lovely swim in the Sea, I found a shady spot.


And created a watercolor painting.....


Another swim and a bus ride back to Oia!

The young women at the youth hostel were full of great ideas: At Katharos Beach you can watch the sunset with very few people, take a photo of the bus schedule that way you can pull it up when you need it, and the cliffs of Red Beach are very worth the trip.

Santorini sunset from Katharos Beach.






The moon was rising as I left the beach.

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.