I realised that it's hard to keep track and recall my travels based on timeline for it defeats the spirit of carefree blogging as and when u like it associated with travelling. Mood comes and goes and so the same can be said for fond recollections of a particular place.
Santorini island, much had already been said about this beautiful Greek island among tourists. There are places which failed to match up to expectations but this was one which not only exceeded expecatations but whose inherent beauty could not be expressed in words alone. A simple airport greeted me as I landed on a sleepy Sunday afternoon. (Time constraints had prohibited me from taking the ferry) My first impression of this island was how well it fit into the Aegean sea -- the cliffs, the sand, the waves and the clear blue skies. Even when the skies turned grey as the night sets in, it seemed to merge seamlessly with the coastal line. It was off peak season but there was no need for the mass partying that characterisd such beach resort islands to bring out its beauty.
Food was good at the island and it was a good introduction to the Greek cuisine that littered the place. I had opted for a small town called Perissa near one of the beaches as my base, hoping to relax by the beach before i re-enlist. The hostel owner was a good man, giving good recommendations to the various hotspots on the island. Santorini is different in the sense that most of the recommended places are not tourist attractions per se but instead are areas where good views of the Aegean Sea can be obtained. I rode in my 4-wheeler all across the island to the lighthouse which turned out to be just a simple building that was locked. But as i made my way around that place, imagine the surprise i got when i found myself atop a cliff overlooking the vast horizon. Lying on one of the rock, i closed my eyes and recalled on the beautiful events that had happened so far throughout my life. And unlike at some beaches, there was no hordes of people the moment i opened my eyes. Instead, it was all peace, calmness and serenity as i saw waves and waves hitting against the rocks below. It was just an indescribable feeling as i stared down at the skies and sea, my minds totally at ease with the place.
Fira was the main town where u have the typical restaurants lining up the cliffs overlooking the seas but Oir is another amazing town. Touristy it is without a doubt but its the promised sunset at this town which set the tongues wagging. I was unfortunate that it was too cloudy a day to be able to witness the scene that was always potrayed on paintings but even the mere sight of sitting by the old fort and admiring the backdrop where this was supposed to happen was breathtaking. Santorini was indeed a gem in every sense when views are concerned. The beaches are another wonder. Black beaches are found all over the island because of its volcanic origin. (in case, u hadn't known yet but Santorini was also the location of the fabled island of Atlantis which was supposedly sunk by a volcanic eruption). The sand was hot but yet soft, dark yet clean. Walking on it gave a soothing feeling and i would have loved to lie and laze in it if not for the time constraints. And yup, there was always the red beach, made primary from the stones that had been weathered. Scorching hot they were but it served to reinforce the cool refreshing feel of the waters which they neighboured. It was a bit far from my hostel so i did not wade too far out for i was not in my swimwear... The blue roofed white-walled houses were another celestial addition to the town to bring out its identity. It was hard work to have to paint the houses every week but i must let the people of Santorini that it's definitely worth their effort for it was precisely these houses that gave the island its identity and memories of their homes would immediately surfaced whenever we see images of these houses no matter where we are...
All in all, Santorini was a wonderful experience and it was the perfect introduction to my Greek journey. Rest and relax was my initial aim and Santorini fufilled it perfectly. Everything ranging from accomodation to food was perfect and i can jolly imagine myself spending a week there in the future, just chilling and doing nothing. And for the first time, i can truly say -- Believe in what u see on TV for it's that real and more :D
City rating : 5 stars
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