Santorini: Part 1 - Snapshots from a Greek Isle

Fellow Canadians Laurie,
Jane, and Kylie

When Beth and Rob selected a place to stay in Santorini they went against their rule of procuring the least expensive accommodation available (that was still suitable) and chose one that (a) was located near Oia, the village that is boasted about online as the village to visit and (b) had a hot tub! Who could resist?

Off the bow of the Anek Superfast ferry

They arrived at the port in Crete ready to board the ferry to Santorini but were informed that the ferry was three hours late. They settled in the port cafe for the wait and soon were joined by three other Canucks and one Texan. They passed the time enjoying a couple pints of Greek beer and sharing traveling stories.  Coincidentally, Rob and the Texan found out that they had similar experiences with ‘Francesco the Scammer’ while staying in Athens.

A ferry leaving port.

Rob and Beth always on the look out for environmental cues like the absence of pedestrians milling around the port determined that the time for boarding the ferry was upon them so they quickly headed over to the ferry while their new friends stopped to buy some snacks. Mere minutes after Rob and Beth boarded they felt the engines grind the ferry out of port. They ran back toward the entrance just in time to see their fellow Canadians running on board. Apparently they had to lower the gangway again to allow them to board as they were a wee bit late. Ah, the perils of travelling!

As a result of the late departure the Anek ferry did not arrive at Fira, the capital of Santorini, until after 1:00 am - long after the last bus. Fortunately Christopher, Rob and Beth's host, was waiting for them at portside.

"Are you Elizabeth?", he inquired.

With gratitude they loaded their baggage, waved goodbye to their Canadian friends, and climbed into the car.

The cliffs at Oia

As Christopher carefully drove the 25 minute trip on the 18 km winding cliff-side roads to their residence he pointed out the different villages along the way. He also shared that he was a retired physics teacher and that his wife, Emma, is a teacher at one of the two high schools on the island.

Rob's morning walk in the back yard
with the family pets.

Upon arrival at the apartment complex, Christopher showed them their apartment which had a traditional Santorini open-concept design complete with a bedroom loft. In addition to being upgraded to a larger apartment suited for four, the place was beautiful, immaculate, and stocked with added luxuries for 

sustainable living. Both guests felt immediately comfortable and at home.

"It's late. In the morning come see me. We’ll have coffee and I'll highlight some places to visit and give you some maps."

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/663411

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The next evening Rob returned from a conversation with Christopher and announced, "Christopher's invited me to go calamari fishing on the pier. We're leaving in 10 minutes."

Beth questioned whether she was invited as well, but not wanting to miss an opportunity she frantically ran around changing into warmer clothes and packing her backpack. Her contribution, she surmised, was to bring the evening’s treats which included: fresh baked bread, cheeses, tzaziki, and a 200 mL bottle of Ouzo to share.

Beside Beth sits Christopher, Dimitri,
Joy and her Athens' friend

Once outside Christopher warmly welcomed her but indicated that he regrettably did not have a line and lure ready for her. She assured him that that was fine and that she was just happy to come along. For the first part of the evening she found herself passing the Ouzo among the three of them, but, as it was a small bottle, this didn't last long.

Beth's day-two catch

As she had nothing else to do, Beth wandered along the pier and came across three people finishing dinner. She recognized the woman from earlier in the day and stopped to say hello. Joy, as it turns out, was from Vancouver but had been living in 

Rob can't wait to eat
his calamari

Santorini for twenty years. She and Dimitri owned the restaurant "Sunset", and although it was now closed for the season, they were eating at one of their pier side restaurant tables with a friend visiting from Athens. They invited Beth to join them and they sat and conversed for the rest of the evening. The hours passed quickly when Christopher, who was the only one to catch a calamari on that night, came by and announced it was time to go.

The next evening the three met as prearranged at 7:00 pm for a second evening of fishing. As they climbed in the car Christopher announced that he had a lure for Beth and a "Family-sized bottle of Ouzo."

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Christopher ponders.

"Christopher, I know we only booked this apartment for three days, but is it available for two weeks?", asked Rob.

“Of course, Robert.”