A Day in Oia, Santorini, Greece

I have no idea how to label the photos, guess that learning is for another time! Thanks Murray, for telling me how to accomplish this much! At least I can share some pictures of my trip. I will also try to post some pictures of the sunset too. I was one of hundreds to be watching the famous event.

Cruise season is still in full swing here, 4 ships were here today, a small number they say, but the narrow cobblestone streets were packed with visitors speaking all languages so I can't imagine 6 more ships and all those passengers crowded into town. My hotel is at the far end of the town of Oia, considered the most beautiful on the island. A couple of the pictures you see are of classic scenes of Greece, or at least the Greek islands. I ate breakfast at the hotel and it was nothing impressive but it got me through the day. The view while eating out on the terrace was definitely the highlight of the meal. I ventured into town after breakfast, trying to beat the heat, but I felt like I was getting burned in the heat. I wandered on the path to the main 'street' and took some side streets to explore. I was thrilled when I, by chance, wandered to what had to be the most scenic spot in town, where the hillsides were familiar, they are in so many pictures! Most of the trip was uphill and exhausting and hard on my knee, but returning was a lovely stroll, mostly downhill. I got back and took a wonderful nap and was up and headed back into town, hoping for more good pictures as the sun was sinking in the sky. Cafes and bars were packed along the way, hundreds, probably thousands, of people waiting for the sunset. I made it back to the scenic spot I'd found earlier and there was a small video crew there filming. When they were finished I asked them what they were filming for. A lovely young lady who is the host explained that it was for a series on 'Wealth' tv. It's Lux journeys, or something like that and is on a cable channel and I told her I didn't have that one and one of the camera ladies said it was easy to get. I said this was the only trip I'd be taking like the wealthy took, so I probably didn't need it. Then I asked if someone would take my picture since they were experts and one of the men said he would be happy too. When you are alone it is hard to get pictures with me in them and no one along my day had been friendly enough to ask. So after he took some of me they asked me to take some of him and the lady so I would assume they are a couple. We are all going to be on the same ferry to Mykonos tomorrow so they were very sweet about seeing me and chatting more tomorrow.

I got back to the hotel to enjoy seeing the sunset from my own veranda. They said it wouldn't be as beautiful because of the clouds, but I think they gave it an interesting look. If I am able to upload the pictures, you can decide for yourself. I decided to go back into town...a third time! I was getting hungry and wanted to try somewhere different for dinner and wanted to wander when the streets weren't packed with noisy cruise ship tourists! It was a quiet stroll on the narrow dark path, but another lovely experience.

And I must share about the food I've eaten! I haven't had the classic Greek food yet, I'll try that in Mykonos. Last night it was so late when I was checked in that I went to the closest restaurant, it was a winery. I had the bread, 2.95 euros, and it came with 3 side things, olives, sun dried tomatoes and the cucumber dip. My main dish was absolutely delicious! It was a stuffed chicken breast, stuffed with feta cheese, peppers, onions and garlic, and roasted with a delicious texture over parmesany pasta. When I was finished the server brought out a complimentary glass of wine which I drank and it certainly helped me sleep! Today in my wanderings I passed a small cafe and there were pastries in the front case so I ordered a piece of baklava to bring back to my room. I was terribly thirsty and asked if he had iced tea and as usual the choices were peach or lemon. As usual I chose peach. I was shocked when I watched him make it but was so thirsty I drank it. He put a few pieces into a cut with his bare hands, then he poured something from a bottle that was the flavoring and the poured in bottled waited, stirred it and there was my iced tea. The baklava was delicious, seemed not as sweet as what I've had before. I made it once many, many years ago and remember all the work of coating each layer of the filo dough with something. And indeed, you could tell many layers made up this piece too. The first place I stopped for dinner didn't have anything too interesting so I decided to have an appetizer there and I certainly made the right choice! I had fried cheese and I have to say I think it was better than what I've had at the Greek restaurant in Denver! Then I wandered into town and ordered a Greek salad...delicious! Unfortunately I was so full that the Greek sweet garlic spaghetti was just too much so I brought it back and ate some later. And that is the food I've eaten in santorini!

Past time for bed now. Tomorrow is a big day, I will have the 2 1/2 hour ferry ride to mykonos and am hoping to not repeat the sea sickness I experienced when on the boat in Portugal with Cesar. This time I have bonine and hope it works! Again, sweet dreams from Greece!