I can't believe we started the day in Santorini! George (the owner's son) drove us to the airport and the flight was only an hour! It's amazing that it probably took us longer to take the subway from the airport to Athens than to take the plane from Santorini to Athens!
Because I'm heading back to Paris tomorrow (and sadly, my 6:30 flight was moved to 4:20!) we headed right to the Acropolis. It was so amazing to see it up close even if it was being renovated (although I think it's always under renovations.)
We then wandered around heading to the National Art Museum... We never made it there but I saw some of the most amazing shoes I've ever see in my life. If fell in LOVE with this pair that look like werewolf shoes! I can't believe I left them in the store! I might just go back tomorrow!
We then found ourselves at the main government building (oops, luckily no protests!) and the most interesting metro station where they display all the archeological items they found while building the metro system.
We then headed back down the road of chocolate stores... Making a few purchases along the way :)
We had a light dinner at one of the many tourist places (I can't believe it only cost €10!)
Early night tonight because I want to see the Acropolis museum before I leave for the airport.
Fingers crossed I get out of Athens tomorrow... And keep 'em crossed for Anna!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wine Day!
In a crazy turn of events there was a cancellation for the wine tour I really wanted to go on, so I snapped up the opportunity to go!
We visited three wineries and the tour guide is a sommelier, I couldn't ask for more, you could tell that he was very passionate about wine! There are 8 wineries on the island of Santorini and it seems that every square inch of Santorini is covered with wine plants from family vines to "make your own" wine to the large estate wineries. With the tour we visited three wineries.
The first winery I visited was the Gavalas Winery. We were able to see the machines and barrels at this winery. It is also the only winery that makes Vinsanto the old-fashion way... Yup they stomp the grapes with their feet! Vinsanto is a very sweet wine... The leave the grapes out for 12 to 14 days (6 to 7 days if they are making Vinsanto Mezzo) so they start to look like raisins and then they press them.
On the way to the next winery we stopped to see the vines up close. The basket Wine growing strategy was very interesting... Plus I got my photo taken with a wine :)
We the went to Estate Argyros which was my favourite winery (and I suspect our guides favourite too) and we tried several wines. I really enjoyed the Ktima Argyros Assyrtiko so I bought a bottle. Sadly, I didn't like the award winning wine (apparently one of the top 24 wines in the world in it's category.)
We then went to Domaine Sigalas, we tried only three wines, another Assyrtiko (which I liked and bought a bottle.) I was very surprised on how good the red wine was but I soon learned that they imported the grapes from mainland Greece. While the wine were very good, I felt a bit like I was cheating on the Santorini grapes.
Anna wasn't up for the wine tour so she spent the day at the black beach. Another beautiful day in Santorini!
We met up late afternoon and we had an awesome dinner at the place we went last night. We had some old favourites like the white eggplant with tomatoes and cheese, fava dip and Greek salad but we also tried spicy feta dip and meatballs.
Early night tonight and tomorrow we leave for Athens (hopefully we can leave no problem!) where we will try to see the Acropolis early because I'm all set to leave the following day!
We visited three wineries and the tour guide is a sommelier, I couldn't ask for more, you could tell that he was very passionate about wine! There are 8 wineries on the island of Santorini and it seems that every square inch of Santorini is covered with wine plants from family vines to "make your own" wine to the large estate wineries. With the tour we visited three wineries.
The first winery I visited was the Gavalas Winery. We were able to see the machines and barrels at this winery. It is also the only winery that makes Vinsanto the old-fashion way... Yup they stomp the grapes with their feet! Vinsanto is a very sweet wine... The leave the grapes out for 12 to 14 days (6 to 7 days if they are making Vinsanto Mezzo) so they start to look like raisins and then they press them.
On the way to the next winery we stopped to see the vines up close. The basket Wine growing strategy was very interesting... Plus I got my photo taken with a wine :)
We the went to Estate Argyros which was my favourite winery (and I suspect our guides favourite too) and we tried several wines. I really enjoyed the Ktima Argyros Assyrtiko so I bought a bottle. Sadly, I didn't like the award winning wine (apparently one of the top 24 wines in the world in it's category.)
We then went to Domaine Sigalas, we tried only three wines, another Assyrtiko (which I liked and bought a bottle.) I was very surprised on how good the red wine was but I soon learned that they imported the grapes from mainland Greece. While the wine were very good, I felt a bit like I was cheating on the Santorini grapes.
Anna wasn't up for the wine tour so she spent the day at the black beach. Another beautiful day in Santorini!
We met up late afternoon and we had an awesome dinner at the place we went last night. We had some old favourites like the white eggplant with tomatoes and cheese, fava dip and Greek salad but we also tried spicy feta dip and meatballs.
Early night tonight and tomorrow we leave for Athens (hopefully we can leave no problem!) where we will try to see the Acropolis early because I'm all set to leave the following day!
Couple of Beach Bums
Yesterday was another beach day!
We decided to head out to the red and white beached on the south part of the island. We took the city bus which took about an half hour and when we arrived we were surprised to find no beaches, just restaurants. We had lunch the day before on the beach so we were looking for the same thing again. But we saw the guy giving boat rides to the red and white beach. We asked if there was food on the beach and he said "yes, of course" so we climbed aboard and paid €5 each. We took the ferry to the red beach and saw the walking path to the beach. Seeing the path, we figured we should go to the white beach (the beach you have to take a boat to). We got some amazing shots of the rock formations and how they turn from brown to red to white. It was very beautiful.
Because of the waves, the access to the white beach required that we swim to shore. Both Anna and I were hungry and oh... I forgot to mention that "of course" there were no places to eat on the beaches! So deciding we got some great picks of the white beach to just take the ferry back to the port where we started to have lunch. Not bad for a €5 tour. We got some fantastic pics.
We then had the €25 lunch which was Greek salad, tzatziki, and fresh fish grilled on the outdoor charcoal grill. It was very tasty! We then trekked over the rock formations to the red beach. The water was much calmer than the black beach and was truly great swimming. I had another one of those moments where I realize all over again that I am so lucky and my life is truly awesome!
Coming back from the beach we showered and set off to find a restaurant. We went back to the first place we visited and the lineup was out the door and down the stairs. So we wandered around trying to find someplace else... Not wanting to eat in a place not busy. We found this great place near the caldera and we had Mezes (small plates) of awesome Greek food. I think I fell in love again with Greek food! We had eggplant and tomatoes and cheese, barley rusks salad, fava beans puree (think hummus but with fava beans), and I had Greek sausage. It was all super amazing! Oh, I forgot we also had my favourite Greek dessert, Greek yogurt with honey and nuts. We topped it all off with ouzo! OPA!
We then headed out to the clubs for a night of dancing as last night was the closing night for most of the clubs.
We decided to head out to the red and white beached on the south part of the island. We took the city bus which took about an half hour and when we arrived we were surprised to find no beaches, just restaurants. We had lunch the day before on the beach so we were looking for the same thing again. But we saw the guy giving boat rides to the red and white beach. We asked if there was food on the beach and he said "yes, of course" so we climbed aboard and paid €5 each. We took the ferry to the red beach and saw the walking path to the beach. Seeing the path, we figured we should go to the white beach (the beach you have to take a boat to). We got some amazing shots of the rock formations and how they turn from brown to red to white. It was very beautiful.
Because of the waves, the access to the white beach required that we swim to shore. Both Anna and I were hungry and oh... I forgot to mention that "of course" there were no places to eat on the beaches! So deciding we got some great picks of the white beach to just take the ferry back to the port where we started to have lunch. Not bad for a €5 tour. We got some fantastic pics.
We then had the €25 lunch which was Greek salad, tzatziki, and fresh fish grilled on the outdoor charcoal grill. It was very tasty! We then trekked over the rock formations to the red beach. The water was much calmer than the black beach and was truly great swimming. I had another one of those moments where I realize all over again that I am so lucky and my life is truly awesome!
Coming back from the beach we showered and set off to find a restaurant. We went back to the first place we visited and the lineup was out the door and down the stairs. So we wandered around trying to find someplace else... Not wanting to eat in a place not busy. We found this great place near the caldera and we had Mezes (small plates) of awesome Greek food. I think I fell in love again with Greek food! We had eggplant and tomatoes and cheese, barley rusks salad, fava beans puree (think hummus but with fava beans), and I had Greek sausage. It was all super amazing! Oh, I forgot we also had my favourite Greek dessert, Greek yogurt with honey and nuts. We topped it all off with ouzo! OPA!
We then headed out to the clubs for a night of dancing as last night was the closing night for most of the clubs.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Stupid Strike! Let's party like it's 1999!
Yesterday was a great day!
We started out early and headed to the black beach... All lava rock beach. It is very windy there so the waves were crashing! Anna and I both went in for a bit but it was not relaxing swimming weather. We reserved the beach chairs, ate spinach and cheese pies and watermelon, and basked in the awesome Greece sun!
We started back around 2pm and stopped at the wine museum which was kinda creepy at times with the mannequins that move demonstrating the ways wine was made when the winery was first opened but the wine tasting at the end was very fun. Both Anna and I like the dessert wines (which is unusual for me because I don't normally like dessert wine.)
We made it back to the hotel in time for us to book the bus to Ia to see the sunset... Imagine hundreds of tourists converging on the the small town to see the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and the town of Ia was even more gorgeous! Pics to come...
After we made it back to Fira, we then headed out to dinner with a view. I was a bit down as we had just heard they moved the general strike to the day we are leaving Athens (October 5th) and we could be both stuck. I was also done with Greek food (sad, but it was my way of general striking!). So I had spaghetti, yes, I've said it, I has spaghetti... And it was good! Anna had dolmades and Greek salad. Both, she reports, were very good!
On the way back to the hotel, we found the club that our hotel recommended... With 2 for 1 drinks and awesome music we stopped in... And we stayed! It was awesome! I haven't had crazy clubbin' fun in years! Whoo-hoo!
This morning, Anna and I have been working on alternative flights... I have been able to book a flight to Paris on October 4th. I'm working on extending my hotel booking in Paris but so far it looks good that I will be getting out early (sad, to leave Greece but I'm happy to be getting out early.) I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I do not want to miss my connecting Paris-Montreal flight!
Anna's airline advised her to wait... And Anna has her work with her so she doesn't mine being stuck on Athens a bit longer.
We started out early and headed to the black beach... All lava rock beach. It is very windy there so the waves were crashing! Anna and I both went in for a bit but it was not relaxing swimming weather. We reserved the beach chairs, ate spinach and cheese pies and watermelon, and basked in the awesome Greece sun!
We started back around 2pm and stopped at the wine museum which was kinda creepy at times with the mannequins that move demonstrating the ways wine was made when the winery was first opened but the wine tasting at the end was very fun. Both Anna and I like the dessert wines (which is unusual for me because I don't normally like dessert wine.)
We made it back to the hotel in time for us to book the bus to Ia to see the sunset... Imagine hundreds of tourists converging on the the small town to see the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and the town of Ia was even more gorgeous! Pics to come...
After we made it back to Fira, we then headed out to dinner with a view. I was a bit down as we had just heard they moved the general strike to the day we are leaving Athens (October 5th) and we could be both stuck. I was also done with Greek food (sad, but it was my way of general striking!). So I had spaghetti, yes, I've said it, I has spaghetti... And it was good! Anna had dolmades and Greek salad. Both, she reports, were very good!
On the way back to the hotel, we found the club that our hotel recommended... With 2 for 1 drinks and awesome music we stopped in... And we stayed! It was awesome! I haven't had crazy clubbin' fun in years! Whoo-hoo!
This morning, Anna and I have been working on alternative flights... I have been able to book a flight to Paris on October 4th. I'm working on extending my hotel booking in Paris but so far it looks good that I will be getting out early (sad, to leave Greece but I'm happy to be getting out early.) I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I do not want to miss my connecting Paris-Montreal flight!
Anna's airline advised her to wait... And Anna has her work with her so she doesn't mine being stuck on Athens a bit longer.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Santastic!
While we slept most of the day away (we got bed around 3am, the ferry was 2 hours late arriving!) once we got up and at 'em, we headed down (well, up) to downtown Fira for shopping and sparkling wine.
Anna and I made a pact that if we made it to Santorini on this crazy last minute route that we would celebrate in Santorini with sparkling wine! We found this bar with a spectacular view and amazingly specialized in sparkling wine.
The views from the caldera are breath-taking... The best view I have ever seen! Apparently they are even better in Ia... Not sure how that could be possible! See the photos below.
I also came across some awesome shoes made in Greece, first store, first shoes! I can't wear them in Santorini (all the maps have pictures of high heel shoes with red "X") but they are totally awesome, check the photo.
We had dinner at a Greek taverna, we shared a Greek salad, and I had moussaka and Anna had stuffed tomatoes and green peppers. The moussaka was SO good, the cheese, potatoes, and lamb. It was awesome.
Tomorrow we are heading the black sand beach, the wine museum, and hopefully the sunset in Ia.
Beach in Milos
View of the Caldera in Santorini
Our sparkling wine in Santorini
The stairs are numbered... they top our around 600... we didn't brave below 500...
My new killer shoes
Anna and I made a pact that if we made it to Santorini on this crazy last minute route that we would celebrate in Santorini with sparkling wine! We found this bar with a spectacular view and amazingly specialized in sparkling wine.
The views from the caldera are breath-taking... The best view I have ever seen! Apparently they are even better in Ia... Not sure how that could be possible! See the photos below.
I also came across some awesome shoes made in Greece, first store, first shoes! I can't wear them in Santorini (all the maps have pictures of high heel shoes with red "X") but they are totally awesome, check the photo.
We had dinner at a Greek taverna, we shared a Greek salad, and I had moussaka and Anna had stuffed tomatoes and green peppers. The moussaka was SO good, the cheese, potatoes, and lamb. It was awesome.
Tomorrow we are heading the black sand beach, the wine museum, and hopefully the sunset in Ia.
Beach in Milos
View of the Caldera in Santorini
Our sparkling wine in Santorini
The stairs are numbered... they top our around 600... we didn't brave below 500...
My new killer shoes
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Funny Thing Happened on the Way Back from the Beach
Today was the beach day! We missed the bus by 8 minutes so we had to cab it but the beach was beautiful! The sand was tiny pebbles which was so much nicer than sand because it didn't get everywhere. We swam and relaxed at the beach bar drinking UK-imported coolers.
It was awesome and relaxing until Anna got a voice message saying our ferry for tomorrow was cancelled! We debated about going back early but there were really no cabs to take and we already spent €15 on the cab out. We decided to stay until the bus came at 3:30.
We got into town and we realized that the tourist place were we bought our tickets was still open. We asked her about our options because of the cancellation. She said we could go to Sifinos and the take another ferry to Santorini. After asking if we could do that tomorrow (and she said no) it dawned on us that this was the only way we were getting off Milos before Friday.
GAME ON! We had 40 minutes to run up the hill to the hotel, pack all our stuff, check out, change our tickets (because we didn't bring them to the beach) and get to the port!!!
So we RAN up the hill to our hotel, I paid for the hotel and Anna went up to the room and threw everything (well, almost everything) into our bags! We were packed and ready to go 15 minutes. Our awesome hotel (thanks George!) agreed to drive us to the port however just as we got to the travel place to exchange the tickets, we realized we forgot a bunch of stuff on the balcony. Anna jumped (forward roll ninja roll style) out of the car to exchange the tickets and I went back for the stuff.
I have no idea how we did it but we did it with time to spare! I can't believe we did all of it in 20 minutes! Although we were still in our damp bathing suits and cover-up we looked like the craziest people waiting for the ferry.
So, I'm writing this blog post from Sifnos eating Greek salad and Farmer's pizza (eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and artichokes.) A well deserved break before we depart for Santorini! Sifnos is gorgeous... mountains that go right to the sea, bars on the beaches... A quiet town.
Biggest score of the day, our hotel in Santorini is going to come get us at the port and are going to let stay a day early.
Next stop Santorini... Who knew!!!
It was awesome and relaxing until Anna got a voice message saying our ferry for tomorrow was cancelled! We debated about going back early but there were really no cabs to take and we already spent €15 on the cab out. We decided to stay until the bus came at 3:30.
We got into town and we realized that the tourist place were we bought our tickets was still open. We asked her about our options because of the cancellation. She said we could go to Sifinos and the take another ferry to Santorini. After asking if we could do that tomorrow (and she said no) it dawned on us that this was the only way we were getting off Milos before Friday.
GAME ON! We had 40 minutes to run up the hill to the hotel, pack all our stuff, check out, change our tickets (because we didn't bring them to the beach) and get to the port!!!
So we RAN up the hill to our hotel, I paid for the hotel and Anna went up to the room and threw everything (well, almost everything) into our bags! We were packed and ready to go 15 minutes. Our awesome hotel (thanks George!) agreed to drive us to the port however just as we got to the travel place to exchange the tickets, we realized we forgot a bunch of stuff on the balcony. Anna jumped (forward roll ninja roll style) out of the car to exchange the tickets and I went back for the stuff.
I have no idea how we did it but we did it with time to spare! I can't believe we did all of it in 20 minutes! Although we were still in our damp bathing suits and cover-up we looked like the craziest people waiting for the ferry.
So, I'm writing this blog post from Sifnos eating Greek salad and Farmer's pizza (eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and artichokes.) A well deserved break before we depart for Santorini! Sifnos is gorgeous... mountains that go right to the sea, bars on the beaches... A quiet town.
Biggest score of the day, our hotel in Santorini is going to come get us at the port and are going to let stay a day early.
Next stop Santorini... Who knew!!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Maxin' and Relaxin'
So after yesterday we were spent so we decided to have a uber relaxing day. I made omelettes for breakfast and grill cheeses for lunch. I read and Anna worked it was a great day! Around mid-afternoon we headed for mini ice creams, so delicious! Although the prices are a bit random... We have paid everything from €0.80 to €1.40 it seems to be whatever they feel like charging us, but it is always super tasty!
Around 7pm we went for a drink on the top of the hill and got wind whipped but we did get to try Raki a strong liquor from Crete. They serve it warm and mixed with honey. Very tasty.
We then trekked out to out usual dinner spot and so happened we were there when the New Zealanders came for dinner so we decided to dine with them. We had this crazy good dish with tomatoes, feta, and peppers baked in a clay pot. Although we are sad to report the souvlaki was not super good :( But we will be back tomorrow for favourites night :)
There have been some request for photos so here are a few of our favourite shots:
Garden Sculpture at the Musée Rodin
Eiffel Tower for the light show
Acropolis in Athens
The rabbit rock
Magma, ash, and sulphur (according to Captain Paul, the colours of ice cream)
The money shot
Tomorrow beach day!!!
Around 7pm we went for a drink on the top of the hill and got wind whipped but we did get to try Raki a strong liquor from Crete. They serve it warm and mixed with honey. Very tasty.
We then trekked out to out usual dinner spot and so happened we were there when the New Zealanders came for dinner so we decided to dine with them. We had this crazy good dish with tomatoes, feta, and peppers baked in a clay pot. Although we are sad to report the souvlaki was not super good :( But we will be back tomorrow for favourites night :)
There have been some request for photos so here are a few of our favourite shots:
Garden Sculpture at the Musée Rodin
Eiffel Tower for the light show
Acropolis in Athens
The rabbit rock
Magma, ash, and sulphur (according to Captain Paul, the colours of ice cream)
The money shot
Tomorrow beach day!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
