The journey continues:

Oct. 13th, Saturday:

8pm-We reached Santorini after 2 flights of about an hour each from Thessaloniki. Got chauffeured to the resort by a chatty driver who was apparently rooting for Ron Paul (!) and was encouraging us to do the same. I could only feel thankful that I had a smidgen of diplomacy left in me.

Oct. 14th, Sunday:

7am-Woke to a spectacular view of the volcano (believed to have been a part of Atlantis itself) right outside the villa,

which was simply mind blowing. This part of the island; which is almost crescent shaped, has a little bit of an islet atmosphere, and the water is calm with practically no turbulence. The silence was otherworldly. We found ourselves getting relaxed despite our excitement.

After breakfast, once again with great views, we took the shuttle into the nearby town of Fira, and walked its length and further onto the towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli, all along the edge of the caldera; pausing only to take in the magnificent view and several photos.

We saw mules languidly clopping their way down the winding stairs to the sea,

pretty rows of flowers in colorful boxes,

and rows of colorful buildings perched cozily atop the entire caldera.

We then stopped for lunch before heading back to the hotel to give our aching legs a rest.

5.30pm-After a deliciously lazy lounge by the pool overlooking the volcano and the Aegean Sea, we set off for a sunset stroll in the town of Oia, on the northern tip of the island.

The town was a pretty little collection of blue and white domes, church bells, windmills, and a bit of pastel color here and there.

We watched the sun set as we strolled along the tiny cobbled streets

before we settled into a cozy restaurant overlooking the silhouettes of the little buildings fade in the receding light.

After which, we strolled back the other direction, taking in the jewels of the night and pausing to peruse overpriced souvenirs.

Back to the hotel, in time for a nightcap.

Oct. 15th, Monday:

8am-Last day in Santorini. Bit cold and windy. Spent the morning walking around the parts of Oia we’d missed last evening and getting some classic pic.s

We strolled alongside tendrils of bougainvillea vines curling atop whitewashed buildings

staircases from a postcard

and churches with pastel shades.

We then headed back towards Fira, where we lunched at the much-recommended (and well-deserved, too) Nikolas; on fantastic Gemista and other goodies.

3pm-Set out to discover the volcanic beaches on the southern tip of the island, snapping pictures of quirky houses en route

and made our first stop at Perissa, the black sand beach.

After a bit of a stroll, we had some tea and headed out to the Red beach

and then back to the hotel, to enjoy a great glass of local Asyrtiko wine and the sunset from the patio of our villa

before heading out again for a fancy dinner and a night time stroll along the caldera.

Onwards, tomorrow, to another Cycladic island, this time by boat.