An island girl I am again....

So luckily everything worked out perfectly this morning - even if I did have to be at the Metro station by 5!! I basically just walked up to a booth, bought me ferry ticket, and in an hour or so we were off! The trip altogether lasted about 8 hours (pretty grueling...), but it was a really nice ferry and we docked at some of the other islands before we hit Santorini, so I got an idea of where I was going to be staying!!

Finally we landed in Santorini and though it was freaking hot and I was being bombarded by people asking if I had a room yet, I eventually got on a bus and was on my way to the town of Oia (ee-ah)!!

...our lovely ferry!

Once we arrived in Oia though, I have to say I was a bit disappointed...the island I had seen thus far seemed kind of deserted and dirty. But I went ahead and made my way over to the hostel I'm staying in (which is really pretty and has a great island vibe!) and then did a little exploring....and THAT'S when I found the treasure chest of beautiful views everyone and every website had bragged about.....

...the mules!!!

It's soooooooooooooo bbbbeeeeeaaaauuuuuttttiiiifffffuuuuuulllll!!!!!!!!!!

Alright, now that that's out of my system....

It really is though...I even had a little moment as I was overlooking the vistas that tears came to my eyes...I just was so overwhelmed with the knowledge that yes, I was here, and yes, it really is THAT gorgeous!!

But it wasn't just the pretty views that charmed me. I also just love the feel of the place...it's totally beachy and time sort of seems to stand still here, dictated only by the ocean winds and the sunsets...

Also, there was this one store in particular that grabbed my absolute attention and love. It was a cute little bookstore that this guy from Memphis owns and it was literally tucked into a basement along with his own bed! Weird as that may sound, it was not in the least....it was so amazing!!

lol!

...he had quotes like these all over the place along with other notes and suggestions for the customers. He also had books in all different languages and tucked into all sorts of nooks and crannies. 

Obviously I HAD to purchase something, so I found a pre-owned copy of...

...I've never heard of it before, but it takes place in Greece during World War II and sounds like a fabulously epic romance! I cannot wait to read it!!

So, after my nerdgasm in the bookstore, I wandered around a little bit more until I found a seat from which to watch the famous Oia sunset!! And it was gorgeous!!!

...loved this ship!!

...I would've gotten more of this spectacular event, but my camera crapped out. Luckily there were some very sweet Americans women behind me who basically took it upon themselves to do a photo-shoot, starring me and the sunset!! 

I'll post their pics once they send them ;D

Anyways, once the sky turned dark, I headed back to the hostel to update you guys! And currently there is an adorable little grey tabby cat who is purring next to my leg... 

Evidently she's the resident welcoming committee of the hostel.

But like I said, it's just gorgeous here and I'm kind of regretting the fact that I'm only here for another day before I head off to Crete. Alas, it just means I'll have to come back someday!! ...and maybe I'll be just like the guy from Memphis who moved to the Greek isles to run a bookstore that he also lives in....

Love it here!!