Dreamy Santorini
I've been on the road for a month now, and Santorini welcomed me with open arms as the place where I decided to indulge myself. As you might have seen in my previous blog post, this marks my thirtieth country, and I'm going all out to celebrate. Just like others celebrate the birth of a baby or their wedding day, I'm celebrating my journey around the globe - specifically, visiting thirty countries. What a bloody achievement! So, I treated myself to a luxurious hotel room with a view that left me in absolute awe.
I could hardly sleep on my first night because I was bursting with excitement about being in Greece. Visiting Santorini has been a dream I've had since my younger self read 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.' It certainly did not disappoint. After a nearly sleepless night, I was treated to a splendid breakfast on my balcony at 10 am - Greek yoghurt, pastries, and freshly squeezed orange juice. I felt like royalty.
Shortly after indulging in breakfast, I prepared myself for an afternoon in the Aegean Ocean. I embarked on a five-hour catamaran cruise that took me on a journey to explore the wonders of Santorini while serving me generous amounts of white wine (we love an open bar)! I had the chance to visit the Red Beach, the White Beach, and the Caldera. But it was the ocean that truly left me in a dreamy state. Floating in the warm, light blue, and extra salty waters was like stepping into a movie scene. The catamaran tour even took us to some natural hot springs, a unique part of the ocean where the water is about 5 degrees Celsius warmer than the rest of the sea.
After a dreamy day watching the sun set from a catamaran, I decided to have a more adventurous experience the next day. It started with traditional Kayanas - Greek scrambled eggs mixed with tomato paste, olives, and onions. Then, I rented a tiny two-seater car to explore the island. Driving on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road felt a bit strange, but I pushed through it. I drove myself all the way up to Ancient Thira, where I hiked up further to the peak of Santorini and enjoyed the breathtaking view.
After wandering around amidst 360-degree vistas, I started feeling a bit peckish. So, I drove myself to the nearest and most recommended winery. Santorini is renowned for its white wine, known for its unique growing features like low-to-the-ground vines due to the island's severe winds and the scorching heat it endures. The wine didn't disappoint! My favourite was their white dessert wine - Visanto - it was absolutely delectable. Next, I headed to the busiest tourist hub on the island, Oia — a place well known for its sunsets. It was bustling even though I visited during the "off-peak" season; I can only imagine what it's like during the peak season. Still, it was a spectacular sight, perhaps even better than the Eiffel Tower at night. Before returning to my royal palace, I treated myself to a dinner celebration and savoured one of the most delicious baklavas I've ever tasted.
Since I was already in the Greek Islands, I decided to continue my exploration. My next destination is Naxos Island!