Hotel Hellas Fira

... for me.

Ancient Thira is well worth a visit. Perched impossibly on top of a mountain of pure rock it looks out to a view to forever. It’s not hard to imagine the reasoning behind setting a city up this high, even though it must have made life very challenging for the inhabitants. Wandering around the ancient laneways poking in and out of the ruins of houses thousands of years old made me wonder what life must have been life for the original inhabitants ...

There are simple ways of getting to Oia (or Ia as it is also know and how you pronounce it), such as bus, taxi or hire car. But who needs simple? I had read as part of my research about the wonderful walk between Fira and Oia and I thought we'd give it a try. Loading up the backpack with some supplies (but forgetting water of all things) we set off through the town of Fira which seamlessly turns into Firostafani. Along the way there are so many photo opportunities to get pretty pictures of ...

... how bad they smelled), so I decided I would go up the cable cars instead. Let me tell you, it was a difficult walk down the stairs though. The donkeys moved in packs, and quickly, without regard to the people standing near them. I learned my lesson the first time a donkey pushed me aside and from then on out, I jumped up on the short wall that followed the path down to avoid being run over.

When I got down to the old port, I waited patiently for my boat. I ...

... Moussaka, squids!
















After lunch, we finally get to see the hotel room. Hotel Keti is the best hotel throughout our honeymoon! Best value for money and best view from the room!
You musn't miss the fantastic view of the hotel which I've captured in video!







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On our 2nd day at Santorini, we make our way up to the Ancient Thira. I'm sure glad I rented the Smart Car!









Just look at how winding the road is!














Ancient Thira was actually built more than 1000 years ago. And see, their ability to create the house like this and it ...

... Island in a bike too...







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So, I wasn't able to ride a bike, how about a quad? I wonder...
It turned out, a Quad is even harder to maneuver! It's like driving a car with a bike's handle! I can't make sharp turns, and I don't know how to reverse! I give up....







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Kamari, Cyclades, Greece songwillie

... back to the hotel and am greated by the lass herself. For some reason she is appaled at the fact I have slept for three nights in a field. Her Aussie friend calls it very Gypsy . She insists I get a hotel room, I suspect her motives are mostly driven by want of a cleaner friend, and pushes 35 euros into my hand. THANK YOU, sincerly. So I walk up the road and check into the Hotel Olympia. They have booked out all their 30 euro rooms, uh oh, but my sob ...

Finally, about the time it had started getting dark, the airline decided it was safe enough to go. It was still incredibly windy when we arrived on the island, but since no one was harmed in the making of this wedding, I can't complain. Scott, who arrived without his luggage, would probably beg to differ. By the time the taxi took us up the cliffs to the hotel, it was well after 10 p.m. The staff was incredibly nice, and offered to bring us dinner in the room ...

... heading to a restaurant recommended in the Frommer's guide book: Boudaraki. It's located on the south side of the port area, just over a small bridge on the left hand side. There were only 4 other couples dining there. We sat outside. Our meal was very good and was one of the best on our trip. Tony had lamb cooked in a ceramic pot while I had chicken in a cream, garlic, bacon and mushroom sauce. It was rich, but very good and not ...