Greece: Santorini

Greece: Santorini

We had a leisurely morning preparing for departure to new horizons.

Sandy, Annie and Trish went for a last swim at Lee Beach while Squizz had a coffee at her favourite cafe right on the waterfront.

We then all packed and collected our belongings which had somehow scattered right through our villa, inside and out.

It seemed amazing how our bags all seemed heavier.

Squizz took charge of preparing the last supper - we feasted on aubergine, stuffed potatoe skins with garlic prawns, fresh salad, pita bread etc.

 
Too soon it was time to go and we took the challenge of loading our VW caddy with luggage for 6 people plus all of us........all managed to fit and we headed off with Sandy at the wheel.

We made it in good time to the Port at Rhodes and our Blue Star Ferry was already docked. We unloaded all the bags and Squizz & Jenny took care of the luggage while Sandy & Tine organised the tickets. Annie & Trish took the car back down the road to leave it where we were directed to by the car hire people.

Sandy, Tina & Jenny loaded all the bags and pool noodles onto the ferry down in the bowels of the ship with all the cars.

Trish & Annie returned and we all headed on board.

 

We looked around the ship and Tina took on the challenge issued by Annie to find the best location for us to set up base for our 7.5hr journey to Santorini. She came back to where we had set up temporary camp to guide us back to the cafe / lounge area at the front of the boat. Here we settled in.

We celebrated the next stage of our adventure with a bottle of prosecco.

 

 

During the trip we took the time to update our blog and go through the various phrases of Greek we had learnt thus far.

Yes              ne

No               Ochi

OK               endaksy 

Please          Parakalo

You're welcome    Parkalo

Thankyou    Efcharisto

Excuse me / Sorry          Signomy

Greetings / Hello / Goodbye      Ya sou

Cheers      Yamos

Wine          Krasee

Beer            Beera

As we sailed through the wonderful Blue Aegan Sea we read much about about our area. It seems there are 227 inhabited Greek Islands in the Aegan and Mediterranean Seas and that some 17 million people visit this area each year. With a population of 11 million, this provides a wonderful income for the country with 90% of these people coming from Europe although many more are coming from other areas today as the secret of the wonderful culture, interesting architecture, often archeological excavated ruins and the idyllic beaches has reached the world. 

We sailed very close to Turkey with camera shots of villages, churches and individual homes easily accessible from the ship.

 

 

 After a number of refreshments along the way, we docked at Kos, one of the 227 inhabited islands along the way to Santorini. 

 

After Kos we were invited to have dinner at Goodys where we all chose our own and ate heartily.

Various types of relaxation followed as we sailed onto Santorini- reading, a game of Monopoly cards, snoozing, walking the deck and crosswords.

A PA announcement warned us of our imminent arrival at Athinios Port and we were urged to go down to collect our luggage and prepare to disembark. Our driver was there to meet us as we once again weaved our way up the precipitous cliffs.

 

After some huffing and puffing we heaved our cases up the mandatory flights of stairs to our new home for the next week. Thankfully Sarah, who had arrived earlier, heard Sandy's dulcet tones at 1am in the clear night serenity, and was able to show us to our " doll house" size villas-small, white, quaint, quiet, high on a hillside and quite breezy.

After an allocation of bedrooms, or rather beds, the night returned to its serenity as we all nodded off...........

 

The same day we arrived via ferry from Rhodes Sandy's  good mate sarah Speller arrived from Hong Kong. Sarah taught at Clyde Fenton with Sandy in 2009 & 2010 and we have stayed connected through her visits back to Darwin after she moved to Perth and Sandy's visits to Perth. Sarah relocated to Hong Kong a few months ago with her partner Jay and is joining us for 5 days here on Santorini.

Rhodes: The final days

 

Rhodes: The Final Days

 

After brecky and the first of many washing loads, Trish and Annie set off to find the cross that was lit up at night on the hill at Pefkos. Climbing 250 steps and passing a number of goats they came across the quaint little church of St. Ilias with fantastic views of Pefkos and Lardos to the south and Lindos to the north and the surrounding rugged hills. Trish then directed Annie to drive through the back streets of Pefkos, squeezing through narrow passages between houses and cliff edges in search of hidden coves and beaches. One of the great finds was Spilia Bay which was sheltered by the high winds, with aqua waters, smooth rock ledges and an amazing hole through to the water below. 

 

 

Last full day in Pekfos saw everyone doing their own thing- Annie and Trish went for another punishing many step walk( Squizz didn't go as she was saving her legs for the punishing terrain of Santorini), the many loads of washing were chased around the yard as the strong wind blew things off the line and blew hard at sea including the White caps on the waves. 

In the afternoon we had a final together lunch at Coralli's and came back for a laze in the pol, write the blogs, have a siesta or read a book.

 

We ventured out in the early evening to show Tina and Jenny the small, I mean small, the village of Lahania and then headed to the quirky bar of Mojito, a quaint little seaside escape dotted with amazing coloured everything - chairs, shades, signage etc.

 

 

After we had relaxed enough, we headed to Grecscafe for a wonderfully serviced dinner. 

 

After a yummy meal, we headed home to empty the fridge in preparation for our imminent departure tomorrow. Trish retired early to sort the days photos, while others completed blogs, emails and Facebook posts as we finished our drinks. Such was our last day on the Isle of Rhodes. 

Rhodes: today we say goodbye to 2 travel buddies

 

Rhodes: Today we say farewell to 2 travel buddies

A slow morning with a much cooler temperature and a lot more wind whipping up a few small whitecaps at sea- hope it calms down for our trip to Santorini on Wednesday!!!!!!!

Not much activity early as Libby and Eric made sure their gear was at least together as they prepared to leave. Annie and Trish went for an early morning dip at the local beach. When they returned, we dropped Tina and Jenny off at the tourist place in Pefkos for them to get their boat for their trip to Ialysos just after lunch, and the rest of us girls( Eric stayed home for a WFD)went towards Lardos to check out the Feet Fish Nibbling activity. Sandy, Trish, Libby and Squizz sat for half an hour with our feet in the fish tanks giving the little critters a gourmet feast on our feet while Annie checked out the local beach and the refreshing waves.

 

 

When we had finished we called past our villa to collect Eric and continued down to Lee Beach Restaurant to have lunch with Libby and Eric before they left for the airport and for home.

 

Sandy & Trish took the hit for the team and offered to take Lib & Eric back up to Rhodes to the airport for their flight to Athens and then Singapore via Doha. We left slightly behind the planned schedule as Eric was not ready to leave!

They arrived safely in Rhodes and drove around the Old Town and the ferry terminals, checking out the ticket office and the place we would have to park on Wednesday when we go back up to catch the ferry to Santorini.  We then located the deer that according to legend Colossus straddled as his role in guarding the harbour and entry to Rhodes - though the exact location is up for dispute! Colossus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world along with Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Zeus etc.  It is a bronze statue of Helios which was built in 292BC and stood 33 metres high. It took 12 years to build and was dethroned 226BC when an earthquake struck Rhodes. It lay in ruins till 654BC when it was sold by the invading Arabs to a Syrian Jew who transported it on the backs of 900 camels. Helios was the personification of the sun in Greek mythology, a handsome Titan!

Eric & Trish were taking photos when Lib & Sandy saw a boat come into the harbour...we were sure it was Tina & Jenny on the top BUT Eric assured us it was not them as they were due in hours ago.......many hours later after we located our missing in action friends we discovered it was indeed them and their boat trip  which we all thought would take 2.5 hrs had in fact taken 7 hours!

Trish & Sandy then had a short roam around  the old town while Lib & Eric sat and relaxed as reflected in their week in Croation and their week with us all in Greece! Sandy did manage to find a few minutes to peruse silver jewellery and purchase a gorgeous, unique ring.

 

 

 

 

Too soon it was time to depart for the airport and after battling through peak hour traffic along the windy narrow streets we arrived safely about 70minutes before their flight was due to depart. We said farewell till next time! Actually not too long as Sandy will be visiting Lib & Eric in Singapore in a few short months and then they will be back home living in Darwin. It has gone on record Eric has offered / promised to cook Sandy dinner once a week!

Jenny and Tina booked on the boat trip up the Rhodes to check out the coast and go and visit a cousin of Anthea's at his resort in Ialysos. They got a spot on the side of the boat that will get the best views of the coast and settled in. It was really good to see the side of the island from the sea. The boat pulled up in at one bay and everyone could all jump out for a swim. It was so refreshing and cool. On the way again they started to realise they are on the equivalent to the mail run. The boat stopped in every little resort bay and dropped people off. Time was ticking and it wasnt going to be the 2 1/2 hours they were told as it was close to 6.30pm. 
Once finally off, Tina and Jenny needed to find the bus station to get a bus to the cousins resort. There was a bus sitting there which was the right one to get us where they were going. There was a little issue once off the bus, Jenny hadn't saved an address, loaded a map or had any idea where they needed to go and after much messing around jumped in a cab to discover that the cousin wasn't even there at the resort. 
Oh well. 
It was nearly time for Sandy and Trish to collect them and Tina's phone was flat and she was getting worried that they would have to catch the midnight bus back home. When the little car came around the corner,  Tina shot up, so excited and got straight in the car commanding them to get her outta there! Everyone had a laugh. 

 

On the way home the gang stopped in just the right place for photographer Trish to get a great shot of Colossus right in the middle of the Strip, an area just like Las Vegas.

 

Annie and Squizz stayed home and after a leisurely time by the pool and a refreshing drink or two, headed into Lindos to walk those wonderful winding streets at night. Before returning home about 10.45 pm they  had dinner on Tim's rooftop restaurant where the sights were amazing, the food yummy and wind as strong as. They chased our lettuce a number of times across the table, returned peoples' serviettes numerous times to them and had to drink fast as the slightly empty glasses would wobble and tip. Great night but! 

They arrived home and were having their final coffee by the pool when we were surprised by the late arrival and stories of the intrepid travellers from Rhodes.

 

Rhodes: the last few days

 

Rhodes: The last few days

Sunday

Another morning in paradise and all is well. The villa slowly awoke with everyone rising at their will. 

Chef Sandy cooked a scrumptious breakfast as all came downstairs and placed their order. Go Sandy!!!!

After breakfast some went for a swim (Tina, Annie & Sandy)  in Lee Beach, some stayed home and chilled. A pot pouri snatch and grab it lunch was had by all as we used the left overs from our birthday feast the night before. The air con invited us inside once again and that's where we stayed til Eric called at 3pm.

Tina, Sandy & Annie went for a refreshing morning swim in the Mediterranean down at the local beach...a tad rougher than yesterday but still enjoyable.

At 3.30pm the crew of Libby, Annie, Jenny, Tina and Squizz put their life in the hands of driver Eric( notice the often awesome chef becomes driver) as we rolled down the hill and then sped to the Old Town in Rhodes. Sandy and Trish stayed home to do some planning for the next leg of their adventure as 8 in the VW Caddy is just a tad squishy! They took the hit for the team and kept the goats out of the villa.

After an uneventful trip and getting almost every red light, we arrived right on course according to the navigators Annie and Tina at the gates to the walled city. We wandered through the castle moat on the outside and entered through the walls of the Old Town through St Johns Gate. We wandered along the cobblestone pathways interjuxed with parts of the old buildings and excavated areas of the 12 metre wide walls. Some if us looked at the plethora of coffee and drink Cafes crowded onto the pathways while others explored the Knights Castle of St John all the while taking photos a plenty to share. This old area is so steeped in history with the wide range of conquerors over the millenniums that is now on the World Heritage Listings of valuable structures. 

 

 

After two and a half hours, a refreshing drink at the closest drink station and a very informative chat from the waitress, we turned for home along the harbour line where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. A little further down the road Annie ushered driver Eric into a small bay inlet littered with beach fronted restaurants. The Bay Area was Kalithea and we stopped at a small restaurant for dinner. On payment of the bill, the waitress brought us Grappa shooters, and being the adventurous group we were, we did as directed and drank............. Mm!

Driving on further we happened on the Vegas strip of Rhodes!!!! Glitter, glam, all the pretty people, the ritzy houses and hotels, bars, restaurants and a amongst it all, giant replica of the man himself, the Colossus, legs astride the road junction in all his 100metre glory! (Check out the list for the following day day as artist got a great photos of the big man!)

 

With a vigorous buzz of conversation,the journey continued to home where we touched base again with Sandy and Trish and recounted all we had seen and done.

Trish & Sandy had stayed home for the evening and after relaxing they headed down the road to Palms Bay Hotel for an easy dinner.

 

We all met back up at home for a catch up about our days!

Rhodes: on and on.....oh what a tough life it is!

 

Rhodes: on and on......oh what a tough life it is!

Saturday

The day started slowly after a big day at Lindos yesterday. Squizz thinks even the noisy cicadas were up chirping well before anyone this morning! Even the cleaners and the gardener were here as we were getting up.

The morning saw some of the group of 8 (Squizz, Jenny & Trish) walking through Pefkos town to change money, a look around and maybe a shop while others (Annie, Trish & Sandy) went for a swim in Lee Beach's refreshing aqua water with both groups meeting at Lee Beach Restaurant for coffee and a ride home. A couple of others (Lib & Eric) relaxed at home until we returned.

 

Some of us then ventured by car to a little restaurant in the middle of the Island, called Apolakkia for a late lunch. It was scrumptious and the service was very friendly and accommodating. Tina and Jenny stayed in Pefkos having a most delicious lunch which they photographed for us and considering the windy road through the mountains, probably a wise move!

 

After lunch the group moved on to the wine district, desperately in search of a winery tour. After quite some discussions with locals, we made our way to Emponas and raided their shelves for goodies-nice wine, olive oils and special creams and oils. Some 500m further on we eagerly walked down into the wine cellars of Emery Wines. After some discussions and pretending to know what we were talking about, we bought some lovely wines and continued on our way through the centre of the Isle of Rhodes as we wound and seriously wound up hill and down dale back to Pefkos.

 

 

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Tina and Jenny stayed behind at the villa and spent some time planning some of the next stages of the trip, looking at accommodation on Crete. They then decided to wander back to Corralli down the road for some light lunch. They ordered a chicken Caesar salad, a special salad which had goats cheese drizzled with honey and topped with sesame seeds as well as some dips and breads- delicious. The rest of the day was spent bobbing around in the pool.

 

The pool beckoned when we arrived back and after a dip and a chat, we decided we would have a takeaway dinner from Corralli's Restaurant. Everyone got involved with the ordering, the sharing and the collection. Finally we all sat down to dinner around the table and had a birthday celebration, with all here at this time, for Sandy's birthday. 

 

A game of Mah-jong concluded the evening with Libby & Squizz winning both hands...though there was some dispute over Libby winning when she was playing her own hand and also helping Trish who was seated next to her!

Greece: Rhodes

Greece: Rhodes continues on

This was a scary early morning start at 7.30am!!!! We wanted to climb the Lindos Acropolys at an early time before it got too hot and humid for us intrepid adventurers to cope with. Sandy stayed back to ensure the IT was up to date and all the decisions re the day were in place.

We drove to the outside of Lindos where cars need to park as no cars are allowed in Lindos streets, and with the assistance of trekking sticks provided byTina, those who needed to use them, walked down through the town and then up the hill to the first of the many stairs again. With great interest all busily read the information stands, fossicked around the ruins, enjoyed the views of Lindos from the battlements at the top of the Acropolys and caught many memories through their lenses to share later with family and friends.

The downward journey was steep and most were up to the task but Annie, Trish and Squizz took the easy way out and rode donkeys, poor over burdened donkeys to the ground level- an interesting ride of donkey talk from the men leading them and us down as the " stubborn" donkey came into play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a coffee and cool drink, we all wandered the awesomely up and down interesting streets before meeting back at a central point for lunch.

Tina & Jenny were not ready for lunch as they had waffles earlier...

Sandy was not ready yet either.

 

The beautiful Mediterranean Sea once again beckoned and we all headed to the beach. The sand was incredibly hot at 40degrees and much hopping and dancing ensued as we went from shaded umbrella to the beautiful cool water and back. Those who had forgotten their togs, just went in their clothes anyway. Jenny and Squizz took one for the team and stayed to watch the valuables on the deckchairs under the umbrellas, all the while waving to those cooling off in the water.

 

 

 

We then felt the need to snack again under the shade overlooking the gorgeous beach.

Tina & Jenny lashed out th the 4 speciality dips.

 

Later in the evening we again headed to Lindos for dinner and sat upstairs in one of the Roof top gardens with a beautiful view of the Acopolis lit up.

The Byzantino restaurant was a very good choice and we all enjoyed dining with the view.

As we left Trish was offered a small gift by the Maitre Dee....which she gratefully accepted!