We woke up this morning with a sense of adventure and renewed by our day of sheer laziness yesterday. In preparation for our adventure, we ate breakfast as usual on our terrace overlooking the sea, except this morning's breakfast was Dr. Atkin's nemesis, consisting solely of corn flakes, pound cake, croissants and rolls. With sufficient carb energy intact, our adventure today was to consist of a trip to Oia, the town at the northern most point in Santorini. We had the option of walking, well, walking isn't so much the right word as is a 2 hour uphill hike through the mountains on unpaved road in 85 degree heat (which feels more like 100 degrees). So we took what we deemed the more adventurous route and took the city bus.
The city bus runs about once an hour. And seemingly everyone tries to take it. We were the last two passengers to board and we were jammed up against the people standing like sardines. Jamie had to stand on the stairs for a little while until the man collecting tickets jostled everyone and she snuck in next to a Japanese couple who didn't look too happy. The trip is only 15 minutes to the center of town, but imagine a bus careening around windy roads at the edge of a cliff and you get the idea. Our mothers would have collective heart attacks just thinking about it.
We safely arrived, Jamie a little motion sick, and we set off to explore the town. Oia has also been commercialized but not nearly to the extent of Fira. The streets are much quieter and more beautiful and the shops have better merchandise. Not to worry though, you can always find a dancing donkey marionette to bring home to an unsuspecting relative (the Santorini version of Billy the Bass). We wandered for a while until we found the restaurant for lunch recommended by our hotel called Skala. We had views of the sea and every half hour a pack of donkeys would walk down the stairs to the port carrying luggage and people. It was funny to watch all of the people run to take pictures, although of course Jamie was one of them. Also notable about lunch, were the number of cats that hung out with the diners and the other diners who had at least 30 years on us. One treated us to his view on politics for most of the meal until Jamie almost knocked him into the sea. Thankfully, the delicious mussels that Jamie ordered for lunch diverted her attention enough to save that elder diner from her angst.
After lunch, we wandered the town, did some shopping and decided to forgo the bus experience and find a taxi home. Some jewelry made by a local artist who was kind of enough to give us directions the night before might have been purchased. Upon arriving back at the hotel we headed straight to the pool and relaxed for the rest of the day only moving to our jacuzzi for sunset. Our hotel must have known we were celebrating our one week anniversary because they surprised us with champagne and sweets just about replacing dinner.
Naturally, Seth could not forgo dinner so we opted to try the taverna next door to our hotel around 10pm. The food was just ok, although we did try an outstanding appetizer of grilled feta and peppers. The owner's son brought us shots at the end of the meal, Jamie's was homemade including Metaxa and many spices like cinnamon (which predictably she could not finish). Seth became a man and did a shot of Raki with our waiter that I think he still tastes.
Happy one week anniversary of our wedding and one year anniversary of our engagement to us! Presents from Seth are always accepted (see the jewelry reference above).
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