Steve and I just returned from a hot and fun week in Greece. We flew into and out of Athens, spent one day in Athens and three days on Santorini and three days on Naxos.
Athens did not impress me as much as I expected it to, and in thinking about why, I decided that it is since the city got such great coverage during the Olympics, I felt like I had already seen it all. I have never felt that way about anything I studied (either in school or elsewhere) and then saw in person. Usually it's the opposite. I liked Athens, but amongst all the old buildings are a million tourists, smog, dirt and a bustling city that has a lot more than ruins. We encounted a total fiasco getting into the Acropolis where Steve and I and about 500 cruise ship tourists were trying to enter the site at once and it took about ten times longer than it should have. One guy joked that they have had 2000 years to figure out an entry plan and they should have had it under control. Every single person around us was complaining quietly but I was embarassed as usual when the only people to make a huge stink about the situation and yell and make threats were Americans. It always seems to be that way.
Santorini is a five hour ferry ride from Athens and is beautiful! We spent time exploring different beaches and relaxing. We had great meals and enjoyed beautiful sunsets with good wine. Santorini is known for its wine, which comes from grapes that grow on the ground. For some reason the Greeks don't prop the vines up.
After Santorini we went to Naxos, which is a couple of hours by ferry from Santorini. In Naxos we did more of the same - sitting on the beach, eating, drinking, exploring. We spent one morning hiking and finished the hike with fresh figs straight off the tree. I had never seen a whole fig before, so I was thrilled, and they tasted so good that I will never forget those figs!
Pictures of the trip are here. Enjoy!
