Bari was not a town we had wanted to visit during our stint in Italy, for it is jut another port town with not much to offer in comparison with Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome. However we found ourselves there with a spare afternoon to wander through the town as we waited for our 15 ½ hour overnight ferry ride to Patras, Greece.
We had walked through the streets of Bari twice in a bout 3 hours and so we thought we take a picture of ourselves
Rav’s good deed for the day – she helped this elderly woman with her fallen laundry
The bell tower of the church at the center of the old town seen through the wrought iron gate
The bell tower and church in the center of town
New hat for the beach?
Practicing for beaches on the Greek IslandsTold you there was not much to Bari
Our ferry from Bari, Italy to the port of Patras in Greece
A lot more comfortable than our very first ferry that we took (Koh Tao to Singapore)
Where’s my Jack?
Who needs Jack when you have the Chunger!
This is what happens when you are stuck on a boat for more than 15 hours
The first of many beautiful sunsetsSince we desperately wanted to get some R&R, we decided to head straight from Athens to Santorini and then Mykonos Island, due to the fact that we had heard that the weather can turn for the worst this time of year rather quickly. So Athens will just have to wait for now. All aboard!
The first stop was Paros famous for the white marbles where the Venus de Milo was sculpted. We did not get off here as our destination was Santorini
The port of Naxos another island that we skipped 
Our first glimpse of white washed buildings of Santorini
Getting excited after 9 hours of being on the boat
Do we have to climb that thing? Aren’t we here for some R&R?
Emmanouela Studios – our own private oasis in the small village of Karterados, only a 20 minute walk from the main town of Fira. A family run establishment where Steve and Maria were wonderful and helpful owners
”I can get used to this, where is the man servant and why isn’t he in the kitchen?”
Not a bad view for 25 Euros a night – pays to visit off season and stay outside of the touristy areas
The view from our balcony looking towards the sea. We highly recommend Emmanoula Studios for any one who is looking for a quiet getaway run by an honest, hard working Greece family (www.stavrosvillas.com)
Mixed fish grill was on the menu for our first night’s dinner at a local restaurant in the village
Do you think it was good?
Sunset from our balcony - a great end to our first day in Santorini
One of the many domed building in town 
Still practicing the old traditional method of farming
Stopping to enjoy a view of the sea on our leisurely stroll to the beach
One of many black sand beaches around Santorini as a result of the volcanic activity throughout it’s history
Leaving our mark in the sand
Rav trying her hand at wind surfing
Rav, the adventurous one, trying her hand at mini motorcycling 
The rich colours of Greece that are visible everywhere
The blue domes are most visible from all points of view
Fira from a distance - the capital of Santorini
One of the fantastic views of the caldera formed as a result of volcanic activities where the center of the island sank
A closer view of Fira
The image of Santorini
One of many paths that weave throughout the town
It is worth the uphill walks to get to a vantage point such as this one
Fira a cat lover’s haven – like the tourists, this kitten is soaking up the sun while napping
In 236 B.C. a volcanic eruption separated Thirasia from the main island – The volcano can be seen in the background. You can visit this volcano and swim around in its hot springs
Trying to capture the sun
Picture perfect sunset
At days end
Good night Fira
ATVing it around the island
Standing on top of the caldera
Red Beach – need we say more
The red sands from the volcano
Half an hour well spent on the beach
The small town of Oia from the Ammoudi bay
All that is missing is a cold brewski
The stark whiteness of buildings with their typical blue doors that you would expect to find in Greece
Wind blow trees against the vertical church
On an early morning stroll, we were greeted by Oia’s friendly ambassadors
Our new found friends never left our sides as they led us through town
A little more colour on this side of Oia
There is that characteristic blue again
The benefits of coming in late October as most of the tourists have already left
Path to the port
Poor cat lost in Oia
Dog guarding the fishing nets
How can you not feel relaxed with a view like this
Sun starting to set on Oia
Postcard moment
The sun setting over Thirasia – an island that once was a part of Santorini
Oia is famous for its picturesque sunsets
Perfect end to a perfect day
Saying goodbye to Oia
Santorini – one of Greece’s most beautiful islandsOur hopes were to do some island hopping and go from Santorini to Mykonos, another spectacular island in the Cyclades as we've heard. We had met a Canadian couple celebrating their 30 years of marriage on the metor in Athens when we first arrived in Greece and they had nothing but good things to say about Mykonos and more so about the amazing apartment that they had stayed in for an amazing 30 Euros a night. So we got the contact info from them for the place and were looking forward to spending 4 nights in Mykonos as well. Unfortunately, Santorini wanted us to stay a bit longer as we got stranded there for an extra day and a half as the ferry we had booked to Mykonos got cancelled because of bad weather (and boy, was it bad....loads of rain, thunder and lightning and gusty winds) and to top it off, that was the last ferry going from Santorini to Mykonos for the season. Not letting this bother us, we stayed an extra night in Santorini and decided to go to another smaller island in the Cyclades, Paros. It was a pleasant two nights where we wandered the streets, walked along the beach and pretty much enjoyed the island to ourselves as there were barely any tourists left and most places were closed and boarded up for the season.
Wishing one of these boats was ours!!
You can find many little cafes like this all around the old quarter - in the summer time bet this place would be packed
Where's my dang boat gone??
The local church - a lot less decorative compared to those in Italy
A beautiful cobbled street in the old quarter of town
An image of Greece
The sight and sound of the sea were one of my favorite aspects of Greece
Do we have to leave now? The two islands we visited were a great break from the constant sightseeing of churches, museums and ruins. We are hoping to come back and are thinking that the next "gang" trip should definitely be in Greece!! Already looking into places to stay so be prepared...any dibs on staying in the windmill??Yassou (goodbye in Greek),
Ravy the Roamer & Chunger the unemployed bum (not for long!!!)
3 comments:
I can hardly believe it has been so long since you were over here with me - I am so motivated to have a similar trip myself! Amazing! The cumquats are out and I'm sipping some nice cool drinks in the hot weather - no rain ponchos over here :) Glad you are on to the next adventure - they seem awesome, can hardly believe you are so good at writing about it all. Love Pammy
Just think how much more fun that 15 hour boat ride would have been with a bag of Sour Worms. I bet you wished that you had a bag of those with you.
The message in the sand was nice however I was expecting a "We miss you" Or even a "Natty, we wish you were here" message but I guess one can only hope for so much :(
The Greek Islands look so surreal and definitely a place to visit. I'm down for a group visit and I call dibts on the windmill since I am Dutch!
Love and miss you both and can't wait till your both home again! Natty :)
the islands look like a fantastic place! very scenic in deed.
the pack of dogs on the other hand are more Bella Bella-like.
i take it you weren't THAT hungry if you're leaving the bones on your plate.
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