Thursday
I don’t even know where to start with Santorini. It was not only the most beautiful place I have ever been but the whole weekend in Santorini with my BFFF was just an experience of a lifetime. I know I will never forget this. Here is my attempt to recap:
The day began early – too early but that didn’t hold down our spirits.
The ferry was at 7:30 so we had to get there an hour beforehand to board the vessel – so 5:30a was our go time. We took the metro down to the port, which was surprisingly very easy and began our 7+ hour boat ride to Santorini. The boat was very nice, and we made the best out of a long boat ride by eating crappy expensive boat food, trying to find comfortable ways to sleep on a boat, stealing business class air seats, and having photo shoots!
Soon, the island was almost in view so we went up top for some photo opportunities and to watch us pull into port.
We made our way down to the garage to finally be in Santorini!!!
Once we arrived an extremely kind gentleman who I don’t think spoke any language (just grunts) picked us up to take us to our hotel. The ride to the hotel up the side of the mountain was already almost too much to handle.
Once we arrived at the hotel – Hotel Palladio – in Fira, we met the most adorable Greek woman ever who ended up being our mom for the weekend and set down our stuff in our cute hotel room.
Then we were off! We decided to explore Fira by foot. There was no one there. It was so off-season that barely anything was open. It was wonderfully beautiful compared to the busy Athens we had come from. The town was incredible – post card views anyway you looked. We made our way to the highest point we could get to in Fira to see the sun do some amazing things.
We had a little something to eat and then made our way back to the hotel – completely exhausted from traveling – pushed our beds together to get comfortable with one another and passed out. Tomorrow would be an exciting day- little did we know how exciting exactly it was going to be.
Friday
We began our day with the most adorable Greek women ever cooking us breakfast.
Then we were off. We weren’t quite sure what we were going to do but we knew there was a whole island to see and we had one day to do it. We also knew we had to end up in Oia for sunset. With this open plan – we settled on ATVs. The best decision ever. There was a place right by our hotel and it was so simple. The guy was super nice and once he said “Oh you are from America – I love Sex and the City, you tell Miranda that there is a Greek man waiting for her in Santorini.” – we were sold.
The man showed us how to operate the things and we were off!
We took a map along and planned out our first stop at Red Beach. Obviously we HAD to stop about a thousand times along the way. Here are photos on the way to Red Beach:
We arrived at Red Beach but had some hiking to do before we would get there. This also led to some more photo shoots before making our adventure. Now you can’t blame us for taking so many pictures – this place was amazing.
So then we hiked around the corner and there it was. Red Beach.
Our next adventure ended up taking us along the entire coast on Santorini, right through Oia, along top of a mountain, and then returning to Oia. Again – including many stops along the way!
Once we made it back to Oia, we parked the ATVs and set off to explore the city. We found some puppies, had some food, got our Santorini rings that we wanted to get, and took some lesbian pictures!
Once we did that we continued to explore before sunset, which was the main event for the evening.
Then it was sunset time. We made our way to the far corner of Oia so that we could get the best view. It just so happened that everyone else on the island was also there watching the sunset – probably about 30 people. It was so amazingly beautiful. These photos don’t even come close.
Then we ran to our ATVs because it was FREEZING and we had a pretty decent ride back on top of a mountain. Once we were back in Fira we headed to town and had an amazing dinner.
It was another exhausting day but one of the best ones in my life – hands down. I will never forget riding around Santorini on ATVs with my BFFF – ever. So we were settling down to sleep when all of a sudden, a cat appeared. It was funny how nonchalant it was actually. It was like… oh there is a cat… wait – there is a cat in our hotel room. It must have snuck in when we opened the door to open the shutters to wake up with the sun. He was funny, but we had to put him outside.
Saturday
The day began with yet another wonderful breakfast! Then returning our toys…sad. But we were taking Fira on by foot again – and I believe there were some steps to be climbed.
We found some great views and decided to take a cable car down to the port in Fira! It was a fun little ride with a great view descending down the mountain away from the town and towards the sea.
The port was beautiful (count how many times I have said beautiful in this entry and you’ll probably get bored) with workers making it ready for high season, a giant anchor, the bluest water I’ve ever seen, and some wonderful moments.
Then it was up the steps. Normally, if they were around, we would have taken donkeys up these suckers but it was by foot for us. Haha – I had fun.
Unfortunately then it was almost time to leave…sad. So we had ice cream to cheer us up!
We made our way back to the hotel to catch our ride and say goodbye to our Greek mom.
We lounged at the port for a little while before our boat arrived.
Then it was another 7+ hour boat ride. Fortunately, this one was during sunset – so not only did we get to get some sun for 3 hours, but we got to watch yet another beautiful sunset.
By the end of the trip we were exhausted and in disbelief of what just happened. Best weekend of my life – ever.
