My next few postings will be slightly different; at least I believe them to be so. I can’t seem to find time and I know it’s no excuse. To produce something of quality requires time and effort and that explains why a scholarly work can reflect both ingredients for the trained minds.
I have been making some delays on my delivery to this humble blog. The more the lapse of time takes place, the worse I feel and the guilt grows. I feel I owe it to something or someone. I have decided to track back my encounters (which are too many by now) and hopefully, my recollections are still as accurate as I have vowed it to be, but of course, they are no scholarly-worthy.
Some time back, I have had a chance on a vacation. In my context, a vacation is somewhere I could go with my partner (my hubby) while I am still on my job. Well, it sounds like a non-vacation to many, but it was the best for us. Having heard so much of this place, I have always longed to go there and of course, nothing beats being able to experience it with the one I love so so much.
After being on flight for close to 11 hours, we finally reached Athens. I am sure, to the many well-informed and well-travelled individuals, Greece has been marketed as the most exciting, romantic and happening place to visit (well, fyi, anywhere can be too!). Go Greece! advertisements are so visible to me, almost in everywhere I go. Hence, the timing was just perfect when I was granted a chance to visit this lovely country for the first time and in one of the best months to visit, which is the summer of May.
Once we checked-in to the hotel, we immediately unpacked and repacked for our two-night stay at one of the Greek Islands. The timing of our flight there was very breathable judging from the sufficient time for a sit-down brunch of giant-size pizzas (compared to our usual standards) at the airport. When the flight was announced, ready for boarding, the excitement was unexplainable. Nothing much to expect is too much to expect in this case. Deep down, I simply want this vacation to be perfect like how any selfish or selfless human being wants it to be.
For the first time, I experienced an in-flight service of a fairly-unknown airline (to me) from the perspective of a passenger. I wasn’t very critical but I felt slightly uncomfortable being served in this kind of familiar scene. Furthermore, it was just a 25-minute journey and I trusted the crew were giving all the best they could. A humble learning I know is that, learn to expect less, and you will appreciate more things in life. It’s a noble truth I believe and practise, as consciously as I possibly can, on my personal basis.
The aircraft landed safely after air-borne for a while with the beautiful sights of islands spreading across the vast ocean below the clouds. The airport looks like it is situated at the back of the crescent-shaped island, depending on your preference of geography. It’s the smallest airport I have ever seen!
In a few moments of waiting later, our pick-up came, sometimes known as airport transfer. Our humble stay at Fira for the first night was a 35 Euro-a-night B&B or rest house or hotel (to sound a little more upmarket), also came with a free transfer! How much more can we ask for, when the owner of the place came to pick us up, just in time when we needed to settle down with our two bag-packs of hand-carry (yes, I’m so proud that we didn’t have any check-in baggage yet we didn't occupy much of the cabin overhead compartment space!).
The place was just simply beautiful in blue and white, the most common colours around just like the Greek flag. We learned very quickly that this can be a place for everyone, and of course, we won’t deny that having enough money to spend is a great privilege. We had our lunch of 2 Euro Gyros, which is a kebab-styled meat (pork/beef) wrapped in pita bread together with lots of lettuce, tomatoes, onions and mayonnaise-like sauce.
The locals here have the island-like laid-backness and generally are happy that the tourism money is pouring in. Other than that, they’re just proud of living in this kind of beauty and produce one of the best tasting wine I have ever come to palate. Vinsanto, made from the two rare grape varietals known as Assyrtiko and Aidani.
As it was our first day, we planned to scout around and acquaint ourselves to this little paradise. We walked around Fira town and found ourselves in front of the most spectacular view of the caldera. The Cycladic buildings on the cliff are unmistakable, made up of churches, restaurants, boutique hotels, bars, balconies, infinity pools, souvenirs shops and more villas.
We walked, clicked on our camera, posed, and just breathed the air and savoured the moments of being in such a beautiful place. Then finally, we settled down for a nice seafood dinner in one of the fancy restaurant on the cliff. We ordered a grilled calamari (it came as a big giant squid on my plate!) served with a really nice Mediterranean-styled risotto and some salad. And of course, it would never be complete without pairing seafood with a bottle of white wine, and for this, it has to be the local Sigalas made of Asirtiko and Athiri grape varietals! We dined, talked and shivered whenever the wind blew towards our already cold bodies. Gradually, it was dusk and the temperature was no longer bearable for out-door dining.
We paid the bill and I tipped 10 Euro out of tipsy-ness! I felt slightly regretful afterwards but at that point of payment, I did felt generous as no service charge was imposed. We walked back with me feeling merry. I was slightly drunk as I think I finished three quarter of the bottle.
The next morning, we felt refreshed and recharged for an action-packed day. We had our breakfast in the B&B and it was simple yet delicious. It was just bread, butter, cheese, sliced ham with coffee and tea. It was all free flow and the money spent for the night stay and hearty breakfast was really worth it. We then walked to an opposite shop to rent an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) for a day. It costs us 30 Euro with a 24-hour rental and full insurance.
We rode to our second night stay at one of the hotels by the cliff. It was double the amount we spent on the first night, yet it was among the cheapest we could find. It is situated at Firostefani or the Crown of Fira. As there was a double-booking, we obliged to accept a room with our balcony view slightly blocked. Nonetheless, we didn’t mind as we were lucky enough to have met this villa manager whom told us stories about the caldera and shown us a coffee table book of this place and also loaned us binoculars, to see what is on the center of the caldera. He also served us breakfast although we already had one. He mentioned a few places we should visit and that pretty much became our itinerary for the day!
Then we rode to a winery, where we sampled a few wines and wine accompaniments. It all tasted so wonderful! And the view is simply breath-taking in the background. Then we continued our journey on the ATV to Perissa beach. The beach where the sand is black because of the volcano (please spare me from explaining how this happened scientifically), is simply irresistible. Although I am not so much of a beach bum, I learned to admire the relaxing atmosphere of people sun-tanning, playing beach volley or simply just chilling under a cabana. We rented a cabana for 4 Euro and found out that the water is impossible for a swim. We just awed at how locals could do it!
After chilling for about two hours, we thought it was time to go. We rode along the beach and concluded that men here are the better looking species.
Then we took a scenic route (by accident) to Oia. It was an unexpected surprise as it is a longer route to Oia. Along the way, we saw windmills on our left and the endless view of the ocean on our right. The road was quiet and our lives just stood still for a while.
When we reached Oia, there were already crowds waiting to witness the sunset. Judging from the height of the sun above the sea, we decided to take a walk around Oia and spend some time shopping. The town of Oia felt different compared to Fira. Oia seems more sophisticated and more upmarket. The view is indeed indescribably beautiful.
As it was almost time for the sunset, we decided to leave the massive crowd behind and head back to Fira instead. Although we didn’t see the sun gradually dropping into the horizon, we did witness the sun setting behind our backs while we ride on the road on the cliff side. We felt complete freedom! We agreed that the ATV is the best mode of transportation and you can really grasp well of the whole geographical surroundings by riding on it.
The gradual darkening of the road was so exciting and thank goodness we managed to make it to Fira town safely before it was too dark. We stopped at Fira for dinner and this time it was mixed grill and chicken souvlaki. I washed it down with Vinsanto, but this time, just a glass.
Yes, the abovementioned place is no where else but Santorini. If you must know, it is acclaimed to have the most beautiful sunset in this whole wide world…
