Santorini 4x4

Another first....this time not the 4x4 was the new experience but seeing other parts of the island. I have only ever seen Thira (Fira) and Oia, so I was quite excited...not knowing what to expect. The first thing that I noticed while driving was a lunar like lanscape created by the last volcano eruption. Let me give you a little bit of history. Santorini is one of the cyclade islands in the Aegean sea which was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC. The whitewashed, cubist houses of its two principle towns, Fira (Thira) and Oia, cling to the cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). The depth of the caldera is about 400m. So, going back to the landscape, given that it is volcanic...it is made up of rocks...BUT interestingly enough, similarly to Lazarote, Santorini also produces its own wine, but i am not going into that now because the tour was not about that. I will share a pic of what the vineyards look like though.

Vineyard

Our first stop was a view point over the bay where the cruise ships stop....today there were five...let me share a pic...

Photo stop
Me at the photo stop
After that we drove past Vlihada beach where we were supposed to stop, but our guide believes it is not a very nice beach (which in fact i would agree)....so he took us to Perivolos beach, which is one of the black beaches. Why black...well three guesses, because the sand is black and i must admit....it was a beautiful beach. One can rent beach chairs with umbrellas if you desire, there are restaurants...just great. We had one and a half hours of free time...kim and i enjoyed going into the water and sun tanning.....let me share a pic...
Perivolos beach
Next up....Profitis Elias, the islands highest point (550m), where we had a view over the black beach and on the other side we saw the island's airport....and right at the top...a monarchy and a small chapel....rather quaint.
Photo stop
Photo stop
The Jeeps...ours is the white one
On our way to the last stop, which would be our snack stop, we saw the beautiful churches which make Santorini famous...the white with the blue...those i have to say, they take my breath away, rather stunning...while driving i was trying to get some pics...let me share with you...
One of the 268 churches
Another one of the 268 churches
Another one of the 268 churches
Another one of the 268 churches
Last...but definitely not least...our snack...which was absoloutely amazing...it was more like a meal...first everyone received a whole Greek salad and the ingredients were full of flavour, very yummie. After that a meze platter which consisted of a vegetable fritter (zucchini and cherry tomato), a dolmade (spoced rice wrapped in a vine leaf), some tzaziki and a bean dip, all served with a local Santorini white wine and fresh bread....just amazing.
Greek salad
Meze
Our view at Galini Taverna
That concluded our tour before returning to Fira where we could either stroll around or take the cable car back down and then the tender to the ship...or as Kim and I opted...walk down past the donkeys to the tender...we did not feel like waiting in line for the cable car....let me share a few last pics...
Donkeys while walking down
Beautiful Norwegian Jade
On the tender
Sun has set
What a great tour, we really enjoyed it....and i loved the free time on the beach...not too short and not too long...just perfect...slowly my tan is coming along. For now cheers...tomorrow...another 4x4 adventure...this time in Mykonos.
 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wedding time.....my baby sister's wedding

Image
Oh my word....my sister, who wanted to be a nun (inspired by the movie Sister Act), is getting married....and to a guy that suites her perfectly.....we started getting reAdy around lunch time...make up artist, Victor Ortega, was flown in from Manila. He did my sister's, my mom's and my makeup....but now a few steps back...this wedding pre- celebration started on Wednesday night with a Swiss family dinner, Thursday night a pub crawl and Friday night a close family (Aboitiz and Bucher) at a Spanish tapas place (where the food was amazing...first time i tried nero paella)....but to the pub crawl we get later..... Nero Paella Lechon So....the make up artist was fabulous.....he did an amazing job, he also did the hair for the three of us...the other brides maides' make up and hair was done by his entourage.....here a pic of us getting ready for the big event.... My sister and Victor Victor and me I loved how subtle he did it...and then time for pics with t...
Read more

Hong kong

Image
So, lets do this blog a little different....when you go to Hong Kong, this is my top 10 highlights, things i think you must do (not any particular order): 1. Junk boat cruise (1 hour) 2. Dim sums at Maxims Palace City Hall 3. Deep Fried Pork Bun at Tim Ho Wan 4. Shopping (not neccessarily to buy but just to see) 5. Flute bar in Soho (such a variety of cocktails) 6. Armani Prive bar (rooftop bar) 7. Tram to Victoria Peak 8. Lamma island and of course that includes the hike and seafood 9. Under the bridge crab (garlic crab) 10. Nightmarket with eating local food which includes 1000 year old egg So...now some of those i have done this time in Hong Kong and some i did last time.....so lets do this way..im going to split my experience in Hong Kong in 2 parts, otherwise this blog will be endless.....but im gonna go through all top 10 attractions.... Number 1: Junk boat cruise.....they leave from both the Kowloon side (always on the half of the hour, for example 16:30...
Read more

Podere il Casale

Image
Beautiful place near Monticchiello in the Southern Tuscany. My parents, together with Mutti and Sofia went there whilst Kim and I were in Corsica. They raved about it, stating that it was Swiss owned and they met the couple who owns and runs it. They are actively involved and so are their children. Their food is produced on the farm, they are famous for their Pecorino cheese. They also offer Pizza and bread courses, camping etc etc....in fact i was really looking forward to visiting this place. They have outdoor and indoor seating but i must say the outdoor seating cannot be compared to the indoor hall. The outside is quaint, picturesque and has breath-taking views. There is quite a long dirt road following up to Podere il Casale....its not so easily found. The sign at the entrance is also not too good. Once we parked a beautiful sign welcomed us....let me share a pic... Podere il Casale As mentioned the place was quaint and picturesque with beautiful laid tables....and a fabulous vi...
Read more