Saturday, July 29, 2006
Beautiful Greece
Well today is my last day in Santorini (see pic). Last 3 days have been great, I spent the first 2 relaxing and admiring Perissa (where my hostel is), the main beach on Santorini. It has black sand that sizzles in the heat, and I mean sizzles, it is so hot they have boardwalks all over the beach so you don’t burn your feet. You have to run to the water, it’s to hot to walk. Looks pretty amazing and then there is a big white cliff overhanging the sea when you swim. It's pretty cool.Yesterday I did a day trip which was well worth it. For only 15 Euro I got a bus to the main port, where I got a ferry to the volcano just off the mainland. It's dormant but still has activity under the surface, has erupted as recent as 50 years ago so it was amazing to walk through it. It was just all burnt land, lava rocks, with 2 massive craters in the middle that still spurt out gas. Great views of other islands from the peak as well. From there we got the ferry to the warm sulfuric springs that surround parts of the volcano and got to swim in there. Then we got the ferry to Thirassia which used to be part of Santorini until one of the volcanic eruptions separated it and now it's its own little island with only 250 people living there so it's quite untouched which was good to explore. Stayed there for a few hours then got the ferry back to Santorini and went into Oia, the North West of the Island and this is where all the postcard views are taken, it was sensational, also known for it's sunsets where thousands of people watch every night. Was a 12 hour day and well worth the money.
Today I am going to do nothing. Just enjoying the beauty of this island and it's inhabitants down on the beach of course, and then Greece and I will part ways. I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Greece, highlights easily the Parthenon in Athens, seeing Kate in Mykinos, yesterday’s day trip in Santorini and basically every beer I had in Ios. What I won't miss is not being able to flush paper down the toilet, 2 weeks of dirty bins stinking out every toilet you enter, but you get over it pretty quickly!
Tomorrow I get a 6 hour ferry back to Athens where I catch a 3 hour bus to Patras, then get the ferry at midnight which is a 33 hour trip to get to Venice to start my Italy trip which I can't wait for!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
It’s a tough life!
Don’t have much time so will have to keep this one quick. I think the last time I wrote was after the Bulls. Since then I spent 2 nights in Barcelona which was used mostly as a recovery period form Pamplona. I ran into the legend that is Andrew Baxter at the hostel I stayed at so had a couple of beers one night but mostly low key, saw a couple of sights I didn’t see last time I was there and lazed around the beach.
From there I went to Athens for 3 nights. Kate met me on the last day and it was awesome to see her again!! I did all the sights on my first day, and got the WOW factor when I got to the Parthenon (see picture). The Roman Stadium where the first ever Olympics were held was pretty cool too!
Kate and I then left for the Greek Island, Mykinos. Kate stayed for 2 nights then unfortunately I had to say goodbye to her AGAIN as she had to go back to London for work. I stayed another night. Cool Island, just a big party, we spent it laying on the beach during the day then hitting the town at night.
I am now in Ios and have been here 4 nights and have 1 more to go. It’s the perfect destination for a holiday or a footy trip. I’ve experienced the footy trip side of it. Drank every night. Last 2 nights got home after 6am. It’s known as the party Island. Everyone sleeps till 1pm, goes to the beach till about 4pm, then drinks till 6am, and every day is the same. Insane place - loving it.
Off to Santorini tomorrow, meant to be a bit more relaxed there and apparently the most beautiful Island of them all so I’m looking forward to that.
Will email again soon when I find the time between drinking and sleeping. It’s a tough life.
From there I went to Athens for 3 nights. Kate met me on the last day and it was awesome to see her again!! I did all the sights on my first day, and got the WOW factor when I got to the Parthenon (see picture). The Roman Stadium where the first ever Olympics were held was pretty cool too!Kate and I then left for the Greek Island, Mykinos. Kate stayed for 2 nights then unfortunately I had to say goodbye to her AGAIN as she had to go back to London for work. I stayed another night. Cool Island, just a big party, we spent it laying on the beach during the day then hitting the town at night.
I am now in Ios and have been here 4 nights and have 1 more to go. It’s the perfect destination for a holiday or a footy trip. I’ve experienced the footy trip side of it. Drank every night. Last 2 nights got home after 6am. It’s known as the party Island. Everyone sleeps till 1pm, goes to the beach till about 4pm, then drinks till 6am, and every day is the same. Insane place - loving it.
Off to Santorini tomorrow, meant to be a bit more relaxed there and apparently the most beautiful Island of them all so I’m looking forward to that.
Will email again soon when I find the time between drinking and sleeping. It’s a tough life.
