Greece Part 2

March 29th
The 20th anniversary of my birth! I'm a fifth of a century old now. Oh dear! Like I told mom, I guess it's good I'm not a teenager anymore but I'm not sure I want to be grouped with 29 year-olds now... but anyways back to Greece.

We woke up around 10am and decided we would rent some ATVs so we could see the island on our own time. So we got ready, ate a gyro at Lucky's and then went to rent our ATV at a place called Marko's. It was a nice yellow thing and were told to fill it up with gas and then have it back by 12:30 the next day. No big right? WRONG. As we ride it towards the nearest gas station it stalls on us because it has already run out of gas. So I'm sure we were a sight as we push the ATV towards where we hope the nearest gas station is. But at least it was downhill, otherwise... who knows what would have happened. But eventually we found the gas station so we gassed up and were on our way.

Our first item on the agenda was to find Perissa Beach but of course, we didn't really know how to get there so I'm sure we took a turn too soon because we ended up at the Monolithos Beach. It was empty, due to it being a low season, but it was our first look at the black sand beaches and being able to step into the Aegean/Mediterranean. It was beautiful! And hot, but that's probably because the sand soaked in all the heat. But we decided to keep moving.

We followed the road which I had now discovered would take us to Kamari Beach, one of the most popular ones besides Perissa. So we took these winding roads, passing by picturesque buildings and the airport and then we arrived in Kamari. It was a little more built up with some shops and things and even had some chairs out in the sand for us to lounge on, so lounge we did! It was nice just to sit and soak in the sun and relax.

Then we were on our way back, stopping only to take some pictures so we could meet Chris and Megan and go to Ia for the most beautiful sunsets in Greece. We were told there are only about 15 great ones a year with all the colors, but we were optimistic anyways and just wanted to see the town where Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was filmed.

So we headed back and met up with Chris and Megan then began our ride to Ia. It was somewhat scary because we're on the cliffs and you think one wrong turn and I could be thrown off. But I tried to push that out of my head and trust Kayla's driving skills.

Eventually we arrived in Ia and we were not let down. The town was so beautiful, I think I took multiple pictures of pretty much everything we saw. We went down to Ammoudi Bay and looked at what I guess would be called the docks, then went back up to find the perfect perch to watch the sunset. We ended up settling among these ruins of a building on top of Ia and it was the perfect spot; we could see all the effects of the setting sun on the cliffside homes.

After sunset, we headed back and only faced a few difficulties, like trying to turn the headlights on for our ATV, but eventually we got it. Kayla and I arrived back in Fira then scouted a location to eat dinner and settled on this restaurant called Cesare's which served us some really delicious pasta. My meaty tortellini was YUM!

March 30th
Monday morning Kayla and I decided to turn back in our ATVs and try out the bus system and go to Perissa Beach. We figured it was best because the buses actually knew where the beach was and wouldn't get us lost. It turned out to be a sound investment as well because we got to see a little more of the island as it stopped on the way to our destination.

Perissa is probably one of the most touristy beaches on Santorini. There were tons of little shops and eateries along the beach and it was beautiful as well. We sat again in some lounge chairs on the beach and just read our books for a couple of hours, soaking in the sun. I made a new friend in the cat that decided to approach us. He just came meowing and jumped on my chair then settled on my stomach (we probably shouldn't tell Elmo this, he may become a little jealous). So we had a lovely purring companion while we chilled on the beach.

Eventually we got a little hungry in the early afternoon and Megan and Chris had told us about some yummy smoothies they had so we tried to find the place they had them, Del Mar. Well we didn't find Del Mar but we did find the Beach Bar. When we asked the man behind the counter if he had any fruit smoothies he just stared at us and showed us that he had some apples and bananas, but then he comprehended and just said, "I'll pull something together for you." Needless to say, I was a little leery of what we might get, but he served us this pink concoction which I'm guessing had strawberries and kiwi and maybe bananas, and it was good. We sucked it down and were sufficiently happy.

Then we walked a little more down the beach, met some Canadians and their son selling crystals (which were really rocks from the beach) and then turned around and went to the bus stop to wait.

We got back to our room around 5:30 and then we were mesmerized again by the Greek television before going to get some of Lucky's Souvlakis for dinner (I wasn't lying when I said we ate there at least once every day...). Another successful day of exploring for Kayla and I.

Here are some of the pictures from these two days:




our gasless ATV, and Monolithos Beach

Kamari Beach

Pictures from our ride back to Fira: a beautiful Grecian house, an interesting tree, and a field of flowers before some buildings

a pink hotel, a house frame (I've decided I'm going to channel Greek architecture when I build my house), and a crashed fighter jet (or at least it looks like it) at the airport

a church built into the hill, a view of the ocean, some villas along the road

a trashcan that did have a cat on it but by the time I clicked the picture it had jumped in, a windmill in Ia, Ammoudi Bay (where Kostos would have moored his boat)

Kayla and I in Ammoudi, a view down Ian steps, my hiding the church behind me

Beginnings of a sunset, traditional Greek, blue domes that top churches, a colorful establishment in Ia

the cliffside of Ia, a view of Ammoudi Bay from above, and the sunset

Megan and I with the Ia cliffside homes, a close up of more windmills, and Kayla and I in the sunset

decor of Cesare's restaurante, my yummy tortelini, and we discovered Lucky delivers, which is probably a bad thing where we are concerned

eating ice cream while waiting on the bus, Perissa Beach

Perissa Beach, my new feline friend, and me and the beach

a church along the beach, picturesque gates, and a sign for the beach bar

the interior of the beach bar, a look at the patio and beach beyond, Kayla and me with our smoothies

taking a rest, a sign that lets you know Chinese food is conquering the globe (it's EVERYWHERE), and getting in the shade of a beach umbrella

Well that's all for this installment, folks. Check back soon for more updates, and thanks for tuning in! Ciao!

Greece Part 1

So, I probably should have started this a while ago but I guess I wan procrastinating. I just knew it would take a while, haha. But I think I am going to do Greece in installments since I was there so long and we did a lot. So here we go with part 1, let's see how much I can knock out...

March 27th: Leaving Prague
After putting finishing touches on our packing (which I probably did too well...), Kayla and I left for the airport around 10am, for our 12:30 flight. We figured the timing would be as close to perfect as possible. Little did we know our flight was going to be delayed 2 hours... but no big, we just pulled out cards and played ERS and read our books and talked with the QU girls (Lindsay, Katie, and Katie) and Chris and Megan who were to accompany us for a couple nights in Santorini. Since we were occupied time didn't drag too much. Then, 2:30pm, we're on our flight! I was so ready to get to Athens!

We arrived around 6:30 after the three hour flight (Athens is an hour ahead of Prague) and followed our vague directions (take public transportation to Syntagma then take a cab) and finally made it to our hostel around 8:45. So far I'm not a big fan of Athens transportation, especially since it robbed us of more of our precious little time in Athens that night. But have no fear.

After getting settled in at the hostel we took the metro (which was right by our hostel which they might have mentioned to save us from our 18 euro cab ride. But I'm not bitter) to the Minostiraki station where the big market is and tried to get a good night view of the Acropolis (we succeeded) and get dinner. While there, we somehow, miraculously, ran into the QU girls so we ate with them.

We had our first take of Greek food and hospitality. I had kebabs which I think was lamb, but I'm not sure, and fries and a pita, all for a reasonable price. While sitting there we also had the added gift of a roaming mariachi band, or the equivalent, to serenade us and many wandering vendors. Greece is a crazy place!

But Kayla and I finished our food then headed back to the hostel to get some good sleep before our EARLY ferry the next morning.

March 28th: Ferry to Santorini
Kayla and I woke up bright and early at 5:30am to catch the metro to the port, Pireaus. Again, Athens transportation left a little to be desired. The line we were on takes you straight to the port but apparently that day there was a detour. The line terminated early (although people were allowed to get on after the whole train emptied and went on towards the port. Does this make sense? I think not.) so we had to catch a bus to take us to a stop further on down the line. After doing this, we were then allowed to get back on the metro and continue on our way to Pireaus without any other issues.

We bought our tickets and boarded and rejoiced being on our way to Santorini! It wasn't a bad little ferry either, we had good seats inside with plenty of leg room (A+++) and we were able to go outside and take lots of pictures of the sea and the islands we stopped at on the way to the Island of Santorini. We even had some Greek fast food, Goody's which was pretty good. I played it safe with a club sandwich, but Megan had a seafood salad that came with shrimp and octopus. I wasn't quite brave enough to try some octopus. Maybe one day...

Eventually we made it to Santorini and George, the owner of the place we were staying, Dina's Place, picked us up and took us to the hostel. It was a crazy winding road up the side of the cliffs. Somewhat scary in a huge van, especially when there are cars coming down as well, but obviously we survived =)

Upon reaching our digs, we were pleasantly suprised at the niceness of it all. I had a double bed which I offered to switch off with Kayla and her single but she declined. We also had our own balcony, a nice bathroom, decent closet space, a TV, a mini-fridge, and drawers to put our stuff away in. It was like being in the lap of luxury! So we settled in then went to explore.

We traveled throughout Fira, the main town in Santorini and transversed the cliffs and souvenir shops along the inside of the ring, trying to find our bearings and figure things out. One thing we figured out, animals are everywhere! We made a friend of a stray dog, who Chris named pivo (the Czech word for beer); he followed us all over the cliffs as we walked around. We eventually made it back to Dina's Place and then decided to get some food at the highly recommended Lucky's Souvlaki, apparently the best on the island. And let me tell you, it was the best I've ever had. And the price was definitely right at 2 euro. I think we ate at this place at least once a day if not more... which I guess is kind of embarassing to admit, but you know, it's that good.

So after that we just went back and watched some Greek television. Even though it was in Greek, we havent had a chance to watch TV since we've been here, except our short time in Karlovy Vary so Kayla and I found ourselves just watching without comprehending. Then we went to sample the night scene in Santorini and bring in my birthday!

We went to this Irish pub called Murphy's Bar which is supposed to be pretty good and claims to be the first Irish pub in Greece, which may or may not be true. But it was nice to just chill. Then we went to a place called the Koo Club to dance, so it was a fun night. Then we came back and went to bed to get ready for a fun day on Sunday!

I'll end here since this seems to be pretty long so far and take this opportunity to put in some pictures. I'll get to a post with Sunday through Tuesday soon, hopefully. But for now, here are some pictures of the fabulous Greece!



mountain view from the plane, arrival in Athens! and the Acropolis at night

A bathhouse, a street view, and a clown that scared the poo out of Kayla

Us and the tiny-looking Acropolis, my first Greek dish, our metro station

happily on the ferry, Megan Me and Kayla, our fellow ferry companions on the top deck

anothe Blue Star Ferry, the Greek flag, our first sight of a Greek island

Santorini!!!, driving up the cliffs, and the veranda at our hostel

our bathroom, our beds, and our balcony

the veranda again, and the inside of yummy Lucky's

on our own tour of Fira Me and Kayla, me and Megan and the Caldera, a view of Fira from way up

Me and pivo, Chris and pivo, looking down at the old port

Fira again, the Caldera, and turning 20!

The inside of Murphy's