Day 5: Thira to Oia, Santorini
Yes, our Airbnb was out of this world. No, I will not be talking about it in this post. Yes, I will have a post solely devoted to the beauty that was our Villa. As for the Island of Santorini (yes, the entire island is called Santorini. Am I the only one who didn't realize that #americaneducationsystem?), Matt and I thoroughly enjoyed our 4 days and 3 nights on this island and the few villages sprinkled over it. We woke up the first morning in Megalochori, a very small village facing the caldera coast on the southern part of the island (see my handy map >> over there).
After breakfast, Matt and I embarked on a 4-hour hike from the two main towns on Santorini, Thira and Oia. Thira, sometimes spelled Fira and pronounced as such, is the town that all the cruise ship passengers are tendered to. Scattered with souvenir shops and stalls with treats to take home, Thira is the most touristy spot on the island and therefore we traveled through it as quickly as possible. Once we were through town the view was absolutely beautiful, with its stunning traditional style cave houses clinging to the cliffs.
About a third of the way through we arrived in Imerovigli (please don't ask me to say this out loud), which is one of the better-known images of Santorini with its spiky blue domes. Most shops and snack bars were closed due to it being so late in the season so we really did just walk right through it.
After that, the climb began... I have no idea what to call the mountain that we scaled since all of the road signs were in Greek, but at the top was a lovely chapel (pictured right). I also do not know the name or patron saint of the chapel but there was the sweetest old man waiting at the entrance to bless each and every visitor.
Finally, we began our descent into Oia, pronounced "Ee-haw", think the sound a donkey makes... which happens to be fitting. What do you think is harder, uphill or down? For me its always downhill that kills my knees. Good news for me was that once we were in there were plenty of stairs to climb, twisting and turning throughout the town. Oia is the classic image that you see when you Google Santorini with its whitewashed walls, blue shutters and doors, and donkeys carrying tourists up the hills. We grabbed a quick lunch overlooking the terraced villas and hotels, then promptly caught a bus back to our quiet village.
All in all, it was a beautiful day! But we were shocked at just how touristy Thira and Oia were. My recommendation if you make it to Santorini is to stay in a smaller village like Megalochori and go to the main centers (hike there even!) to see them and then spend most of your time in the quieter areas. The food is better and cheaper, the locals are a little less jaded, and the culture is richer.
More to come on Santorini.
xo, K
A lone salesman as we entered Imerovigli.
Looking back at Imerovigli from the mountain
the mountaintop chapel
Blue domes of Imerovigli.
A donkey waiting for the next passenger.
