Another day in paradise! ....or at least pretty close :)
So this morning started out rather slowly (I purposefully didn't set any alarm), and thus I was just done getting up and ready for the day at the same time some of the other girls were! This worked out well because we all had mentioned how we wanted to go see the unique beaches here on Santorini (due to the volcanic activities) and thus decided to just all go together! Two of the girls (sisters) were from the US, but another gal was from Toronto....yes, ANOTHER Canadian! haha!
Anyways, we all got along quite well and even though we had to wait forever for the right bus, we made it to the coastline with plenty of time left to swim and sunbathe!!
We even decided to splurge and take a boat to the beaches instead of trying to hike to them...and by hike I literally mean mountain-climbing-hike....
It was super fun!
The first beach we passed but didn't stop at was known as the 'Kokkini' or 'Red' Beach because the 'sand' is literally little red pebbles - again, this is due to the lava left by the volcanic activity of the island. It was a bit crowded, but very beautiful, especially against all that blue sea-water!!
Once the Red Beach was out of sight, it only took a few more minutes until we began to see what looked like snow-white glaciers jutting up out of the ocean! Turns out they were just huge rock formations and were part of what is called the White Beach - this too is colored strangely because of the volcano. But it was far more secluded than the Red Beach and we four immediately chose it as our spot for the day! And it's good we were so committed because the boat didn't pull up to the shore - we literally had to leap into the water and hold our bags above our head to make it to dry land!! Oh Greece!!
But it really was such a cool place - literally cliffs of chalk white stone that tumbled into the water below. And even though the large pebbles were kind of hard to walk on, once I got into the ocean the water I didn't even care!! We even swam out to one of the bigger rocks and chilled in the sun for awhile - feeling very much like mermaids in a Greek myth....
....our crazy little boat!!
....that's our mermaid rock!
....just missing our fins!
It really was such a cool little secluded place! Very mysterious and so stunning! And even though I got a nasty sunburn....tomatoes got nothin' on me!!....it was still worth it and definitely an adventure that I'll never forget!
After our beachy excursion, we tried to get in to see the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, but unfortunately the site was closed for restoration. So we caught a bus back to Oia and I basically just did some souvenir shopping and more wandering about....
I even came across this adorable little kitten (she had brothers too, but they were hiding), but she just cuddled right up to me and even leapt into my arms when I got close to pet her!!
Sooooo cute!!!!! ...all these friendly Greek kitties....
Later on, after my cat-fix, I ran over to the tourist booth to ask about ferries to Crete for tomorrow....unfortunately it sounds like there is only one in the evening, so I'll end up only having one full day in Crete instead of being able to arrive in the early morning. Ah well....one more day in Santorini isn't too bad I suppose! haha!
And maybe I'll even get to see the beginning of yet ANOTHER amazing sunset! The one tonight we viewed from a jazz bar near the water where a lovely woman was singing some classics with the orange, hazy glow as her backdrop...
....the two girls on each end are the American sisters and the one next to me was another girl (yes, from Canada too!) who we met along with another gal (yes....God Save the Queen), and a guy from Chile!
The girl Sarah, who was the other one who joined us at the beach was the one taking the pic.
Anyways, all that is to say that it's really fun to be meeting new people who are sharing in some of these experiences! Even though we probably won't see each other ever again or remember each others' names in a week from now, it's pretty fun just making new friends on the spot and enjoying the company of another fellow traveler!
Well, after sunset we all grabbed a bite to eat but now I'm back at the hostel, trying desperately to cool off my limbs that are on fire...
Luckily I now have another full day tomorrow where I can take it easy (until the evening at least!) and hopefully just breathe in more of this intoxicating Greek island air!!!
Ahhh chica!!! What adventures you are having. And to think with becoming such an intrepid explorer and soaker of all things ancient, ruiny and wonderful, that more recent history has flung itself so far from memory - such as the tops of your knees after a day on the Jersey Shore.....oh goodness firey-angel....one simply must splurge on sunscreen. I feel for you! However, do not let the fire, heat and pain of this spoil your days. Ibuprofen, cool baths, air dry, then light lotion with aloe may help get you over the worst of it. Nothing like heated skin on a nice warm sunny day. I am queen of the red.....your photos are beyond wonderful and I am still stunned at the color of that water. Wowzers. Got your postcard today ~ nothing is happening here other than the mountains are burning everywhere, triple digit heat (YUCK) and endless rounds of nightime One Tree Hill dvd's with Shannon. She has me slightly hooked on high-school angst, but it is beginning to wear thin. After all, how many ways can people continue to be dumb? Wait - let me count.......be well, rest and relax for soon the Tibster will descend and whirlwinds will swirl once more! XOXOX OM
ReplyDelete