...must come to an end! And that is certainly what happened to me! What an awesome vacation and how wonderful to be so taken care of and spoiled!
And then it was back to reality! At the Mykonos airport I called home and got an upsetting message that my dog had been hurt and they needed permission to treat him. He has stayed at that kennel and daycare for 6 years and never been hurt and they have always had the paperwork approving any treatment needed. New people have taken over the management and I'm totally disappointed in the way things were handled. The message had been sent 2 days before! So I pictured my precious boy suffering without having treatment. No one said what the injuries were or called and left a follow up message with any further information. All the relaxation went out of me in a moment. It was the middle of the night back in Colorado so there was no way to get an update as I faced 6 hours in the air before I could get more info. I just don't understand how businesses can be run like that. Any pet owner would want more information about their pet I would think, than just a message they were 'nipped' and needed treatment. I contacted them the moment the plane touched down at Heathrow and got an update that he had been treated and was okay. It was many hours before I received any information about the incident. Yes, reality is quite powerful, even after a week of peace and tranquility...and coughing and trying to breathe too, that is.
I tried to sign on to get checked in for my flight and I was not able to accomplish that. Last time that happened I found out I didn't have a ticket so I was quite upset when I called United and held for a long time waiting to find out if I was going to fly home today or not. By the way, international calls to a toll free number are not free! After quite a while I was told that I did still have a ticket but the equipment was changing. AGAIN they were not going to use the plane with the bed configuration that I specifically booked to get. AGAIN United did not follow through with what I consider a commmitment to their passengers. I am shocked that this would happen on both directions of a trip I specifically booked to have that configuration. When I checked in this morning and started talking to people, I was told that this flight yesterday was just totally cancelled, leaving 300 people scrambling to find a way back to the US. Yes, United Airlines is definitely changing in my opinion!
So, as you see, reality has set in and life has quite quickly returned to the daily challenges we all face. The escape was heavenly and just may be one of the last because I no longer have the patience to deal with the trials of travel! Time will tell.
Now, hoping for a safe flight home and a healthy dog when I see him!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Paradise Found
As if being in Mykonos wasn't heaven enough, being at the Grand Hotel makes the visit even better. My first hotel was elegant but there was a cold formality there. This is a five star hotel also, but here they think of everything and the people are warm and friendly. There they asked what you would like and would probably do whatever you ask, here they just do anything you could want before you even think of it! My visit here has been too short! And I regret that I've not been well enough to enjoy it to the fullest.
The morning started with breakfast, a wonderful array of choices greeted me when I walked in. Walking 'in' may not be the correct term to use, restaurants at the hotels are actually in the open, maybe a wall or two, and a ceiling. So the breezes of Mykonos keep the temps quite pleasant! No fan needed here after all! Breakfast was delicious, more choices than the other hotel had and it just tasted better. At breakfast the manager, Theodore, who had been so wonderful to me yesterday, came and sat with me. He is a delightful young man. Very hard working and professional. I asked what his training was and he spent his post high school years in Oxford for a prep class to get him ready for the premier hotel management school in Europe, which is in Switzerland. I've heard of it before. After four years there he interned. In several places before returning to his home of Mykonos. In Europe the hotel field is taken much more seriously than in the US. I know from Cesar that you need a license to even work in reception in some places in Europe.
I asked my new friend the manager about one of the cabanas and he said they don't reserve them but he would make an exception for me and when I got to the pool area mine was waiting for me. He finally mentioned that he knew I'd been at his biggest competitors before here and I wonder how much that had to do with my special treatment! It doesn't matter to me why, I have enjoyed every minute of being spoiled! I spent the day, well several hours, in my cabana by the pool, shaded by the sun but with the breeze blowing. I read. And I contemplated the complexities of life. And I decided once was not enough for this experience! About every hour and a half pool people came around with an offering. I wasn't there for the ice cream bar, but they had frozen scented wash cloths to cool you off, that was delightful! Then they came around and served orange slices. Yes, this is a life anyone could get used to!
I finally pulled myself away and came in and after a shower I had a nice short nap. I decided to take the first shuttle into town at 7pm rather than watch the sunset from my balcony again. When they take you to town they have to leave you off at an entrance and it is quite a little walk. I rushed and thought I would find the windmills but they were farther away than I thought but I got some lovely pictures in town of the sunset after all. The windmills...next time! Can't wait to see the pictures I took tonight. Then I wandered and eventually found the fish house I'd heard about for dinner. You had to choose your own fish but at least they were already dead. I chose a small sea bass and asked for them to please not serve it with the head on it. That was no problem. The dinner was simple, served with boiled potatoes. The fish was so moist and delicious! It was grilled on an outside grill that reminded me of the fish I had had at Cesar's home on my first visit to Portugal. That meal was delicious too, and I remember how hard it was for me to look at the fish with heads on them at the time. Seems so long ago. At the end of this meal I was served a cinnamon liquer that was absolutely delicious! I swear if there weren't such a strict bagage weight limit I would be bringing bottles of these liquors home! And I would take up drinking! But I only had a small glass and was on my way.
When I was here on my first cruise I met a young lady who owned a shop. I saw her on my next visit too. I'd written her a letter that I was going to be here but when I went by the shop she wasn't there. I talked to the lady in the shop who was her mother and she said she would be in at 4 today. I misunderstood and thought she meant she'd be in after that but when I arrived she had left so I guess I will see her on my next trip. What I had taken to mean she would be in at 4 to work for the rest of the day, had actually meant she would be there until 4. It turned out a nice visit with her mother though. I had found out that I can't sell my cards here, the ones they have that are similar are much cheaper than I could ever make them for. Her mother asked me about the cards I'd written her daughter about and I showed her what I had. She LOVED the one of the street scene with the white and blue highlighted with bouganvillas and knew the person who lived there so I gave her the few I had of that scene and some of the others. She was so grateful and kind. She had already given me a Mykonos pen that was quite unusual so it was nice to have a gift to give her. She asked when I might be back and I said I didn't know and she said that whenever it was, they would have me over to visit for coffee. I thanked her and she said she could tell what a good heart I have. A very nice way to end my trip here. After that visit I took a couple more photos and then got a taxi back to the hotel.
Now a bit more about my hotel. When I got to my room yesterday there were some candies and a liquor made from gum which the lady said was good at night for digestion. I decided not to try that. When I got back last night my room had been made up and there were 2chocolates by the bed with a little card that said good night in English and Greek with a nice quote on it. Tonight I got another card with a different quote on it and a gift, salt and pepper shakers that are two people hugging, one blue and one white, very sweet. I realized the quote was by Socrates and will check the other one when I get home, it is already packed. I am sure it was from a Greek philosopher too, but I didn't have glasses on and didn't see it. The Greek people are definitely generous, giving people! What a wonderful experience this whole trip has been!
This hotel is built on a mountainside and has an interesting arrangement. The reception area is the first you enter. There are a few buildings and each has only three levels. So from reception you take the elevator down a couple levels and then follow an outdoor winding path to the next building where there is another elevator. That one goes down 3 floors and then you walk on another lovely path to the next building and do the same. Needless to say I've been lost...and found a couple of times! And to think I've been around the world alone...well a few places anyway. I think I finally have this place figured out now!
Tomorrow morning I will once again have the delicious breakfast and will then head to the airport to become Nitzi again and fly to London.
And that has been the tale of this journey...to paradise!
The morning started with breakfast, a wonderful array of choices greeted me when I walked in. Walking 'in' may not be the correct term to use, restaurants at the hotels are actually in the open, maybe a wall or two, and a ceiling. So the breezes of Mykonos keep the temps quite pleasant! No fan needed here after all! Breakfast was delicious, more choices than the other hotel had and it just tasted better. At breakfast the manager, Theodore, who had been so wonderful to me yesterday, came and sat with me. He is a delightful young man. Very hard working and professional. I asked what his training was and he spent his post high school years in Oxford for a prep class to get him ready for the premier hotel management school in Europe, which is in Switzerland. I've heard of it before. After four years there he interned. In several places before returning to his home of Mykonos. In Europe the hotel field is taken much more seriously than in the US. I know from Cesar that you need a license to even work in reception in some places in Europe.
I asked my new friend the manager about one of the cabanas and he said they don't reserve them but he would make an exception for me and when I got to the pool area mine was waiting for me. He finally mentioned that he knew I'd been at his biggest competitors before here and I wonder how much that had to do with my special treatment! It doesn't matter to me why, I have enjoyed every minute of being spoiled! I spent the day, well several hours, in my cabana by the pool, shaded by the sun but with the breeze blowing. I read. And I contemplated the complexities of life. And I decided once was not enough for this experience! About every hour and a half pool people came around with an offering. I wasn't there for the ice cream bar, but they had frozen scented wash cloths to cool you off, that was delightful! Then they came around and served orange slices. Yes, this is a life anyone could get used to!
I finally pulled myself away and came in and after a shower I had a nice short nap. I decided to take the first shuttle into town at 7pm rather than watch the sunset from my balcony again. When they take you to town they have to leave you off at an entrance and it is quite a little walk. I rushed and thought I would find the windmills but they were farther away than I thought but I got some lovely pictures in town of the sunset after all. The windmills...next time! Can't wait to see the pictures I took tonight. Then I wandered and eventually found the fish house I'd heard about for dinner. You had to choose your own fish but at least they were already dead. I chose a small sea bass and asked for them to please not serve it with the head on it. That was no problem. The dinner was simple, served with boiled potatoes. The fish was so moist and delicious! It was grilled on an outside grill that reminded me of the fish I had had at Cesar's home on my first visit to Portugal. That meal was delicious too, and I remember how hard it was for me to look at the fish with heads on them at the time. Seems so long ago. At the end of this meal I was served a cinnamon liquer that was absolutely delicious! I swear if there weren't such a strict bagage weight limit I would be bringing bottles of these liquors home! And I would take up drinking! But I only had a small glass and was on my way.
When I was here on my first cruise I met a young lady who owned a shop. I saw her on my next visit too. I'd written her a letter that I was going to be here but when I went by the shop she wasn't there. I talked to the lady in the shop who was her mother and she said she would be in at 4 today. I misunderstood and thought she meant she'd be in after that but when I arrived she had left so I guess I will see her on my next trip. What I had taken to mean she would be in at 4 to work for the rest of the day, had actually meant she would be there until 4. It turned out a nice visit with her mother though. I had found out that I can't sell my cards here, the ones they have that are similar are much cheaper than I could ever make them for. Her mother asked me about the cards I'd written her daughter about and I showed her what I had. She LOVED the one of the street scene with the white and blue highlighted with bouganvillas and knew the person who lived there so I gave her the few I had of that scene and some of the others. She was so grateful and kind. She had already given me a Mykonos pen that was quite unusual so it was nice to have a gift to give her. She asked when I might be back and I said I didn't know and she said that whenever it was, they would have me over to visit for coffee. I thanked her and she said she could tell what a good heart I have. A very nice way to end my trip here. After that visit I took a couple more photos and then got a taxi back to the hotel.
Now a bit more about my hotel. When I got to my room yesterday there were some candies and a liquor made from gum which the lady said was good at night for digestion. I decided not to try that. When I got back last night my room had been made up and there were 2chocolates by the bed with a little card that said good night in English and Greek with a nice quote on it. Tonight I got another card with a different quote on it and a gift, salt and pepper shakers that are two people hugging, one blue and one white, very sweet. I realized the quote was by Socrates and will check the other one when I get home, it is already packed. I am sure it was from a Greek philosopher too, but I didn't have glasses on and didn't see it. The Greek people are definitely generous, giving people! What a wonderful experience this whole trip has been!
This hotel is built on a mountainside and has an interesting arrangement. The reception area is the first you enter. There are a few buildings and each has only three levels. So from reception you take the elevator down a couple levels and then follow an outdoor winding path to the next building where there is another elevator. That one goes down 3 floors and then you walk on another lovely path to the next building and do the same. Needless to say I've been lost...and found a couple of times! And to think I've been around the world alone...well a few places anyway. I think I finally have this place figured out now!
Tomorrow morning I will once again have the delicious breakfast and will then head to the airport to become Nitzi again and fly to London.
And that has been the tale of this journey...to paradise!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Magical Mykonos
Mykonos is magical! The beauty and feel are amazing! Thank goodness I just woke up after sleeping an hour and then THREE hours! I've been so sick with a horrible cold and fever that I was only able to sleep less than 30 minutes at a time all last night. What a terrible way to spend my time in this paradise! I couldn't have thought of a more beautiful place to lie in bed though! I still am stuffy with a cough but it no longer keeps me awake.
Yesterday I moved hotels and left the elegant one behind. I'm still in a lovely one on another part of the island with service beyond compare! The nice part of this one is that there are no ships to mar the sunset view, and it was gorgeous, though not as colorful as the one in santorini. The couple I met on the way in to the other hotel invited me to join them at the pool at sunset and that was so kind of them. So there I was with honeymooners, which seem to be the majority of the visitors. The people are mostly young couples and gay couples and Asians and Germans. I hear a British accent from time to time. I appear to be one of the only solitary visitors here. I'm okay with that, better that than not being here at all.
My new hotel is further from town and they only offer shuttles in the evenings when people go out partying. They let you off outside the main area where only taxis are allowed. Mykonos Town is the center of activity. I am now 4 km from town and there is a beach. Unfortunately the beach is down a very steep drive and if I made it down I would never make it up! The pool is surrounded with the lovely beds I enjoyed so much at cesars hotel and it seems that most people don't venture to the beach at all. I walked around exploring and every employee of the hotel said hello and many asked if I just arrived today, they know all the visitors! One young man at the pool showed me the way to the beach and I said I would never make it up that steep walkway and he said no problem, he would drive me! Amazing service! So I got ready
and spent the most amazing hour at the beach, just enjoying the incredible blues and clearness of the water. I am sure that even though I was under the umbrella most of the time, that sea air helped heal me. At least the cough that has left me sore all over is almost gone, the fever gone and the stuffiness no longer preventing easy breathing. Maybe one more day of the ocean air will finish healing me, I hope so because I only have a day left! I do think this is a place that should be visited again and again!
I've had some amazing food and last night was the only disappointment. I was looking for a highly recommended restaurant and didn't find it so I settled for one that was filled with people. Not a good choice! I'm sure there were better choices on the menu but the saga Ali, fried cheese was quite bland and that I could compare to others. The one I had in Santorini was much better than even the one I had here 2 nights ago. I followed that with lobster pasta and it was so disappointing. And this was the most expensive place and they didn't even give you a gift of wine at the end. I'm used to receiving that little token of thanks at the end of the meal. The night before I had an incredible meal! It started with bread and a dip of olives, yogurt, feta cheese and cinnamon. They do charge for the bread here but as one restaurant told me, they charge a fee to eat there and the bread is free. That meal I ordered shrimp saganaki and it was shrimp sautéed with tomatoes olives, feta cheese and other fresh ingredients in ouzo. Absolutely delicious! I could have done with it not being served with the large shrimp heads in it though! I tried to make sure they all had both eyes when I pulled them out. When that meal was over they served me rose geranium wine made in house that was also delicious! Yes, I think I would become a drinker if I were here for long!
I am looking forward to my last day here and hope that I continue to heal and relax. I'm quite sure isn't a more beautiful place in the world the world to be!
Yesterday I moved hotels and left the elegant one behind. I'm still in a lovely one on another part of the island with service beyond compare! The nice part of this one is that there are no ships to mar the sunset view, and it was gorgeous, though not as colorful as the one in santorini. The couple I met on the way in to the other hotel invited me to join them at the pool at sunset and that was so kind of them. So there I was with honeymooners, which seem to be the majority of the visitors. The people are mostly young couples and gay couples and Asians and Germans. I hear a British accent from time to time. I appear to be one of the only solitary visitors here. I'm okay with that, better that than not being here at all.
My new hotel is further from town and they only offer shuttles in the evenings when people go out partying. They let you off outside the main area where only taxis are allowed. Mykonos Town is the center of activity. I am now 4 km from town and there is a beach. Unfortunately the beach is down a very steep drive and if I made it down I would never make it up! The pool is surrounded with the lovely beds I enjoyed so much at cesars hotel and it seems that most people don't venture to the beach at all. I walked around exploring and every employee of the hotel said hello and many asked if I just arrived today, they know all the visitors! One young man at the pool showed me the way to the beach and I said I would never make it up that steep walkway and he said no problem, he would drive me! Amazing service! So I got ready
and spent the most amazing hour at the beach, just enjoying the incredible blues and clearness of the water. I am sure that even though I was under the umbrella most of the time, that sea air helped heal me. At least the cough that has left me sore all over is almost gone, the fever gone and the stuffiness no longer preventing easy breathing. Maybe one more day of the ocean air will finish healing me, I hope so because I only have a day left! I do think this is a place that should be visited again and again!
I've had some amazing food and last night was the only disappointment. I was looking for a highly recommended restaurant and didn't find it so I settled for one that was filled with people. Not a good choice! I'm sure there were better choices on the menu but the saga Ali, fried cheese was quite bland and that I could compare to others. The one I had in Santorini was much better than even the one I had here 2 nights ago. I followed that with lobster pasta and it was so disappointing. And this was the most expensive place and they didn't even give you a gift of wine at the end. I'm used to receiving that little token of thanks at the end of the meal. The night before I had an incredible meal! It started with bread and a dip of olives, yogurt, feta cheese and cinnamon. They do charge for the bread here but as one restaurant told me, they charge a fee to eat there and the bread is free. That meal I ordered shrimp saganaki and it was shrimp sautéed with tomatoes olives, feta cheese and other fresh ingredients in ouzo. Absolutely delicious! I could have done with it not being served with the large shrimp heads in it though! I tried to make sure they all had both eyes when I pulled them out. When that meal was over they served me rose geranium wine made in house that was also delicious! Yes, I think I would become a drinker if I were here for long!
I am looking forward to my last day here and hope that I continue to heal and relax. I'm quite sure isn't a more beautiful place in the world the world to be!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Finally, Mykonos!
My stay in santorini was short, but I made the most of it. It is truly an amazingly gorgeous place and I only saw a small part of the island, but that area was considered the most beautiful part, great choice of a place to stay. My hotel, which was a series of apartments and 'cave' homes was at the very end of the island. As the ferry left the island I was able to see the windmill outside my door which was nice.
The morning went by quickly and people started chatting on the veranda for breakfast and a nice conversation was going and I was sorry to have to leave for the ferry. There is definitely an advantage to being somewhere a long enough time to meet people. one Greek man said he has spent every summer for 25 years in the same little hotel room! He is a guard for important visitors and listed the people he has taken care of, from presidents to movie stars to musicians. He was a large bald man, looked like a good person to have protect you!
The same young man came to get my luggage and walk me down the road to get the taxi to the port. It was much nicer going downhill! He waited with me until the taxi came and then I was on my way. What a lovely 1/2 hour ride it was to the port. I remembered my bonine on the way and took it, knowing that after my horrible seasickness last year in Portugal I was not going back on the sea without trying it. Fabulous drug, that is! The ferry was late, which I guess is not unusual, and someone helped me get my luggage on. Thank goodness I'd been advised by an expert which ferry line to book, because the other one cancelled and when the people booked on it realized that, there was some craziness as they had to change their bookings to mine ferry. Good research Mitzi! I paid 3 euros more for a business class seat which was at the top and had a little table. A young lady sat down beside me, there were assigned seats and she was separated from her boyfriend but when we got going things changed around and she was able to join him. We had a short conversation and she is an actor, in tv and movies and was very sweet and said she and her boyfriend had never traveled like that with a mass of people. Wish I knew her name. She originally is from Sweden and grew up in Oman because of her parents work there. Poor thing, she got so seasick and I could remember how that felt like it was yesterday. We both agreed it was our last ferry ride here! It was horrible! We bounced and rocked from side to side and once hit so hard on the side that the windows were drenched! It was treacherous and I decided that bonine is my new best travel on water friend! I was fine and even got up and had a feta cheese pie to eat, it is feta cheese between many layers of phyllo (?) dough. Delicious! After a 2 1/2 hour ride we finally arrived in Mykonos.
The wind was, and still is, blowing something fierce and getting off the ferry was a challenge. One of the camera men from the luxury living show who I met the day before helped me with my luggage. That was so kind, they had so much of their own stuff to get off. The hotel shuttle was waiting for me and there was another couple too, and we were on our way. My room is so lovely and after being given a glass of good champagne with a blackberry in it, no bitter bite that the cheap stuff has, We were led to our rooms. Absolutely beautiful! White from floor to ceiling with a touch of blue. And the pool on my balcony was the first thing I tried. Cold, but so nice! After a short nap I watched the sunset from the balcony and then went to town and had a wonderful dinner. At the end of the meal I was served a plate of fruits drizzled with a brown sugar syrup, light and delicious and with the bill came a small glass of Mykonos dessert wine. A couple next to me told me it was a honey wine, yes with things this delicious I could learn to drink! I wandered around the town and it is as beautiful and charming as I remember! I came back and went right to sleep and now here I am, once again, wide awake in the middle of the night! The wind is still howling outside so I'm not sure there will be a break from it while I am here which would be too bad, but nothing to do about it. I woke up stuffy with a drippy nose so I'm afraid I'm going to be sick, not a good feeling with days left to enjoy my vacation. But I will make the best of it and enjoy!
The morning went by quickly and people started chatting on the veranda for breakfast and a nice conversation was going and I was sorry to have to leave for the ferry. There is definitely an advantage to being somewhere a long enough time to meet people. one Greek man said he has spent every summer for 25 years in the same little hotel room! He is a guard for important visitors and listed the people he has taken care of, from presidents to movie stars to musicians. He was a large bald man, looked like a good person to have protect you!
The same young man came to get my luggage and walk me down the road to get the taxi to the port. It was much nicer going downhill! He waited with me until the taxi came and then I was on my way. What a lovely 1/2 hour ride it was to the port. I remembered my bonine on the way and took it, knowing that after my horrible seasickness last year in Portugal I was not going back on the sea without trying it. Fabulous drug, that is! The ferry was late, which I guess is not unusual, and someone helped me get my luggage on. Thank goodness I'd been advised by an expert which ferry line to book, because the other one cancelled and when the people booked on it realized that, there was some craziness as they had to change their bookings to mine ferry. Good research Mitzi! I paid 3 euros more for a business class seat which was at the top and had a little table. A young lady sat down beside me, there were assigned seats and she was separated from her boyfriend but when we got going things changed around and she was able to join him. We had a short conversation and she is an actor, in tv and movies and was very sweet and said she and her boyfriend had never traveled like that with a mass of people. Wish I knew her name. She originally is from Sweden and grew up in Oman because of her parents work there. Poor thing, she got so seasick and I could remember how that felt like it was yesterday. We both agreed it was our last ferry ride here! It was horrible! We bounced and rocked from side to side and once hit so hard on the side that the windows were drenched! It was treacherous and I decided that bonine is my new best travel on water friend! I was fine and even got up and had a feta cheese pie to eat, it is feta cheese between many layers of phyllo (?) dough. Delicious! After a 2 1/2 hour ride we finally arrived in Mykonos.
The wind was, and still is, blowing something fierce and getting off the ferry was a challenge. One of the camera men from the luxury living show who I met the day before helped me with my luggage. That was so kind, they had so much of their own stuff to get off. The hotel shuttle was waiting for me and there was another couple too, and we were on our way. My room is so lovely and after being given a glass of good champagne with a blackberry in it, no bitter bite that the cheap stuff has, We were led to our rooms. Absolutely beautiful! White from floor to ceiling with a touch of blue. And the pool on my balcony was the first thing I tried. Cold, but so nice! After a short nap I watched the sunset from the balcony and then went to town and had a wonderful dinner. At the end of the meal I was served a plate of fruits drizzled with a brown sugar syrup, light and delicious and with the bill came a small glass of Mykonos dessert wine. A couple next to me told me it was a honey wine, yes with things this delicious I could learn to drink! I wandered around the town and it is as beautiful and charming as I remember! I came back and went right to sleep and now here I am, once again, wide awake in the middle of the night! The wind is still howling outside so I'm not sure there will be a break from it while I am here which would be too bad, but nothing to do about it. I woke up stuffy with a drippy nose so I'm afraid I'm going to be sick, not a good feeling with days left to enjoy my vacation. But I will make the best of it and enjoy!
Monday, September 26, 2011
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!
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!
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