April 12, 2012

santorini secret

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Santorini - the land of guuhhmazing cliffside views, candy colored buildings and derpy dogs. Not gonna lie, the idyllic image everyone has of this tiny island in the Cyclades isn't immediately apparent. Instead, what you're instantly met with is vast fields scattered with derelict buildings, random spare parts and overall slight ghettoness. Probably a mixture of preseason meh and economy fail. For me, Santorini hovers in this awkward no man's land where it lacks quaintness typical of small communities (thanks to its tourist-centric nature) and the luxury found in resort towns. I may be bursting some bubbles here, but I'm sure it's a whole new world during high season.

When the dust settles (literally, we're talking hardcore typhoon 8 style shit-in-my-eyes winds) and expectations are calibrated we found there's a lot to love about Santorini, which I hope I captured in my photos. Views that you can sit for hours just taking in, an unexpected appreciation for the outdoor life (one that I am extremely unfamiliar with) and once in a lifetime donkey rides races (the best part). Afterall, when you're sitting at a cafe drinking Fanta Lemonade, you're sitting in a cafe in Greece drinking Fanta lemonade. That's pretty amazing and it's the little things that count. Here are some of my general observations:

1) There is an overwhelming amount of stray dogs and cats that the island just cooperatively take care of by leaving food out. It can be one of the best things about the island (for myself included), or a nightmare if you are not an animal person.
2) No stranger danger here - Santorini is super safe which explains the many solo travelers we came across
3) Majority of the tourists are Asian, and majority of the people on the island are tourists.
4) All the architecture looks like it's freshly painted every season, also suggested by the many painters we saw

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I'm not really snubby when it comes to food, put a plate of McWings in front of me and I'm good to go, so the food was definitely belly-satisfying. Despite about 60% of the restaurants being closed because it was too early into the season, we had our good share of fresh seafood, melty moussaka and zomg souvlaki pitas.

All in all a good holiday and I feel super lucky to have gone. I engaged in more hiking than I've done in my entire life, and it's just as well cause I'm kind of...really into Bear Grylls right now.

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9 comments:

cavaan said...

Naw :( still cold! Did you get to swim? But the scenery is amazing! And the food looks delicious! I'm always so excited to eat food that I never think about capturing it forever haha.

ayy_ayy said...

wow, it's beautiful!
i've just heard about this island. and the cat and the dog, they're cute.
hope i can get myself there. #wish

Kit said...

OMGGGGGGG I wanna go there, it looks soooooo BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

denise - SUPERWOWOMG said...

WOAH...that persons name LOLOLOL
also, that secret hidden swimming pool looks SO cool. too bad it wasnt warm enough for you to swim.
DERPY CATS are the BEST and OMG cant believe you hiked

Twee said...

Would love love love a getaway to Santorini ~!!! This place is so heavenly!

Those doggies are super duper cute (i'm such a dog person =P)

And am of course loving your new hair and all your outfits! Converse rocks!!!

x
twee
www.EzzentricTopz.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/EzzentricTopz

Sam said...

Dude I'm so jealous of you- I've always wanted to go to Santorini for the cliche blue roof houses.. hahaha.. other than that I'd love to visit Iceland one day.

Btw I love the layout of your blog!
Also love that outfit with the drop-crotch pants and white shirt- something I'd wear if it weren't for the hips. :P

lynnette said...

These photos are seriously gorgeous!! I love the one of the houses on the cliffs at dusk. :D my fav out of the lot!! I still wanna go there one day and get my beautiful bubble of Greece stereotypes burst for myself.

CINDIEMINDIE said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CINDIEMINDIE said...

Still planning my trip to Santorini in July! Found a really nice place to rent but it's in Oia, is it ideal? Also, should I rent a car?!
Btw, your leather jacket looks soooo soft! Where is it from? xxx

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