Dreamy action packed days 2 & 3….

This post is playing catch up, as last night I was too tired to write. Grab a cup of tea to enjoy this hopefully not too long of an entry. Yesterday started late, we had no where to be at a certain time and we all needed to rest. The island was SO windy all night howling and all day….so bad that it blew out the electricity and all flights/boats cancelled. Good thing we agreed to no hiking. We left our hotel at 11:30am after a very leisurely morning. Like a real vacation of relaxation. We got our transport to Oia, pronounced…Eeee-Ah. This is the fancier part of the Island, we planned for lunch at Thalami, our most delicious & expensive meal yet. WOW, mouth-watering goodness…..all the greek food is fresh and over the top. A Santorini salad- with yummy sun- dried tomatoes, artichokes, feta, zucchini ribbons, and pita croutons, as well the best fava beans, a cold sea bass appetizer- like a sashimi ceviche dish, spinach/ cheese pie, and Chicken Souvlaki. Diet- what diet….oink oink! We shared it all.

After lunch we shopped, if you can believe in it I finally found shoes that fit my long narrow foot. I got SO excited and finally have nice black sandal heals. The fancy girls got Van Cleef knock off matching bracelets, I got magnets, they bought some clothes. Around every corner, past each narrow alleyway is the most stunning views of the water and so many private villas. Cats are everywhere, and doors are in every shade of color. It looks as though, we are walking through a pretend movie set. We stopped in a cute cafe to enjoy some hot beverages. It was such a perfect slow day of soaking in the views of such a pretty village. So white and pristine. Plus the service is impeccable in Santorini. We honestly feel like Greek people are the nicest At a clothing store we met the shop owner Dennis. After Tracy bought a top he offered us tour advice for our already booked boat tour for tomorrow. He then suggested using his driver to get home as opposed to waiting for our driver, plus he was cheaper and spoke english. We walked to the end of the shops in Oia, Tabby and I took in the view while Tracy bought some art/photography. Billy showed up and was sooo friendly and chatty. We enjoyed the company and ride back to our town.

We arrived home with enough time to rest and regroup again. Tonights dinner is planned for very casual, since we splurged at lunch. They had a favorite home-made pasta in a cup new concept on street, while I opted for a gyro pita next door. We all loved our choices and we went back to our frozen greek yogurt guy at the chill box for dessert again. The toppings are all so good. On our walk home, Tracy and I opted to explore a few new alleys, while Tabby went back to the room. It is seriously so crazy that come April 1st next week SO many of these stores, hotels, and restaurants will be opening. So much is shut down, hence the movie set feel of desolateness. This place will be booming, we are grateful to have escaped the crowds. Good night!

Day 3- A FULL day, pick up was at 9 am in front of the local grocery store. On our morning stroll we stopped for coffee. I was asked for the second time by a local, if I was Greek? A compliment for me. We got on our van and were taken to a marina to board one of the catamarans. We got lucky, as we LOVED our new friends for the day. There were 2 other boats, and our crowd was the best for us. A 5 hour boat ride turned out to be one of our high lights, everyone was right, it was well worth it and such a beautiful way to spend our last full day. A scrumptious lunch was served along with endless chilled white wine, great 80’s music, and a fun crew. We went by White, red, and black beach from the water view, the hot springs, and crazy volanic rocks. They told us historical stories about the volcano activity and explained the layers in the cliff side. We loved getting to know our new found friends. The coolest family from OR, mom was a healer/acupuncturist, reiki master. They own a wellness center in OR. The couple is certified and into psychedelic medicines. They have been traveling with their 2 children for 3 weeks all over Europe. They were such a neat fascinating couple. Our other family was from China, now living UES of NY, wk in investment banking, and had 1 daughter with them, a freshman in high school. We all soooo enjoyed spending the day together on this very classy comfy boat.

When the tour ended, we boarded the van and were dropped off at the Experience Horseback riding farm. Arriving 2 hours before planned they accommodated us and saddled up 3 horses. Another private tour, in unreal scenery. We were in the middle of nowhere with small grape vine/bushes, wild flowers growing, and a white village perched up on a hill with the sea in the near distance. A few sweet dogs wandered the farm with the cutest 6 week old german shepherd puppy. We trotted around the area, were lead to the beach for the opportunity to have a cool instagram worthy photo shoot by our incredible guide Stam. He was another interesting guy to learn about, I LOVE meeting new people in foreign lands. It’s seriously one of my all time highlights to international travel. Actually any travel, I guess. Stam has his masters in environmental science, is a big time world traveler, having lived in Malaysia, Singapore, spent time in South Africa, Thailand, Cambodia, and got his degree in Sweden. The list goes on….he works 7-8 months on the horse farm, and manufactures his own Safron farm in Northern Greece for 3-4 months where he is from and his family lives. He looked 25, yet was 37 and a Leo. We had another great unique experience. He arranged us transportation home.

We decided to organize for tomorrow’s flight to Athens. Started to pack, headed out for a longer walk, as we were going to the Simos Tavern for dinner, recommended to us by George. A yummy authentic Greek hole in the wall yet nice local spot for dinner. I love dining with locals. They had a tv on and served a meal that it felt like the grandma might be in the kitchen cooking. Again, tomato balls, tzi Kia, grilled feta, fava beans, and more chicken soulvaki. He brought out a halvah cinnamon dessert on the house. A yummy farewell to Santorini meal. We walked home, pre-ordered breakfast/ room-service for tomorrow. We have airport transfer set for 945. Stay tuned for our Athens adventure next……

Sweet Dreams…..XO

love Laurie sue

AKA…Dora & Friends….