We both hadn't slept well. Get up early (4:20) to be at the airport in time. Little traffic on the road, so we are well in time. We checked in at a Dutch stewardess (Airberlin in Düsseldorf!) and grabbed some breakfast: a nice sandwich and a fresh orange juice.
At the security check no questions what so ever about my medication (so why all the trouble in getting a "Passport" for it?). After checking out the few shops it was already time to board the plane. Hmmm ... no fridge in the plane, despite calling them upfront to assure I could keep my medication cooled! Hopefully the coolpack will do.
In a blink of an eye we are in Nürnberg, where we transfer to our direct flight to Santorini, after about an hour of waiting. On board I ask again to keep my medication cooled, and fortunately this crew knows what to do. Immediately arranges a bag of ice and keeps my medication stored in a locker in the front.
The arrival at Thira and picking up the luggage was very smooth and fast. Outside we see AVIS doesn't have a local office, only a 'guy' with the paperwork. Some quick signatures, and off to our rental car: a Fiat Punto. I have issues opening the car, for sure the backdoor. The AVIS guy, with some effort, can open the backdoor, shrugs his shoulders and says: "it's Italian". And off he goes.
Our little hotel, Avant Garde Suites (AGS), was easy to find. Becasue we are in the "Blue" Suite, we get a blue cocktail on arrival. After some explanation on how this and that works we go to the room: totally blue!! Yes, it looks good.
And there the "complementary Champaign" arrives .... yes, loving it.
We do a small tour of the surroundings, see what it all looks like. And get some bottles of water at the local "Super Market". Back in the room we decide to have diner at the small Taverne, below Avant Garde Suites (AGS), at the beach. It is only 250m to get there, but the road is very steep.
The food is simple, the view is brilliant and the admosphere is 'slow going', as it should be. Very nice.
Back at AGS we sit down at the pool. It doesn't take long before the staff (Reception and Pool Boy) find us, and we have a nice chat about nothing. After finishing the Santorini wine they offered us, it is time to go to bed. It has been a long day ... .
June 9th - Slow Start
"Ding dong" ......... "sorry to wake you sir". Oeps, it is already 10 o'clock and our lovely breakfast (as we ordered it - champaign and all) had already arrived. We quickly check some things on the Notebook (complementary) and our Merian Guide of Santorini. Fira, Oia and a Caldera Cruise are the things to do. But not today. Petra doesn't feel that well (too mych wine yesterday?), and we both are here to relax. And that's exactly what we plan to do.
Doing nothing and enjoying the view was the plan. Mid day we decided to go to Fira anyway, but Petra really feels sick, so we return to AGS and have lunch there: a Ham+Cheese Toast for Petra and a Santorini Salad for me ... yummie.
Later that day we drive to Red Beach, which is pretty close, to make some nice pics. From there we contue to the Light House, where we were told to find a nice restaurant. The restaurant was nowhere to be found, only a nice view. On our way back we stop at a restaurant that adverted "Fresh Fish". But my nose (and the empty terras) told me that fresh is 'somewhat' exaggurated.
We drive on to Panorama, just past AGS. Overlooking the Caldera we enjoy a simple meal, what more do you need? A slow day had ended.
June 10th - Fira
Not good. This morning Jos is feeling a little sick. The plan was either snorkling or Fira. Due the wind it will be Fira! The sea is simply to rough to snorkel. But first things first: at 10 the ticket sale for Prince starts! After some trying with the AGS Notebook we succeed: 2 tickets are ours - yes. After some sms's up and down Jos' colleague Rene V decided to join us for the concert later this year.
And now off to busy Fira. If I didn't have such a blown up feeling I could have enjoyed it better. Fortunately Petra loved it. We first head for the stairs down, where the Donkeys are. The smell however makes us rethinking that plan and turn around towards the Cable Car. Arriving there, and looking down, we decide to stay where we are. No need to go to that small harbour.
We stroll further over the Caldera edge, have a drink an a terrace and take in the scenary. On the way back we have a Pita with Chicken (the place is packed - so no surprice it tasted very good).
Back at AGS we sink in the Jaccuzzi. Aaah .... what a view. At recepion we ask for a nice restaurant to go to. They advise us to try Aeolos. A very good advise (lamb chops are very simple but d e l i c i o u s). The best we had in Santorini until now.
June 11th - Oia
Jos is still not a 100%, but better than yesterday. After again a wonderfull breakfast (and my 2 weekly Humira shot for my Bechterew) we get ready for Oia. And turned out to be a good plan! Oia really is picturesque and cozy. This is where you want to be when visiting Santorini!!
Back at AGS we see Sanne posted on FaceBook. She did her internship on Santorini and may know some nice spots not to miss .. . But first a nice Mojito at the bar and than back to Aeolos.
The food at Aeolos was again delicious. Kind of odd though to have The Dead Kennedys, playing California Über Alles, as background music. The sunset was again gorgeous.
June 12th - Snorkling + Sunset
The sea is calmer today, so after breakfast we decide for snorkling. Petra doesn't fancy walking down the steep road again, so we take the car down to 'Caldera Beach of Balos Bay'. Aaahhhgg, the water is cold. We more fish than expected (we were told to expect none). Back in the sun, get warm and dry up on the vulcanic black sand beach. We try again. No no, way too cold. We're done snorkling.
We return to AGS for lunch (a nice sandwich) and chat a little with the Bulgarian Pool/Bar Boy. He asks us to try his new cocktail (Metaxa, Amaretto, Peach and Applejuice). Not bad. Time for a siesta now.
Back to Oia, as we enjoyed it a lot yesterday. Oia is totally empty ..... ? But than all of a sudden ... group 5, 7, 12, 4, 13, 15, 2 and Oia is packed with tourists. We watch the Cruise Boat Passengers walk by, and stroll through busy Oia. And now food: We take the car and drive down to Ammoudi Bay (the harbour) and head for the same restaurant. We pass on the highly promoted 100 Euro a plate Lobster Spagetti, but take a Seafood Salad and an absolutely delicious Sea Food Spagetti. So good!
The Sailboats pass by for the Sunset. A perfect end of a perfect day.
We take the, now dark, narrow and winding road back to AGS. Wat a lovely few days on Σαντορίνη
June 13th - Checking Out
It's 11 o'clock. We already finished our breakfast. Suitecase is packed. A quick shower and than the long trip back home starts. Our flight is at 15:20, so we still have a few hours to look around and have lunch.
// Why I noted October in my little note book in stead of June all the time ... no idea. Wonder what will be so special in October?? //
We decide to go to Firostefani, park near the local church and have a look around. To celebrate the last views on the Caldera we have a too good Chocolate Feast Crepe. Yummie.
The trip back is smooth. Nürnberg is as boring as we remember it from our inbound flight. Luggage handling in Düsseldorf is very very slow ... is it always is here. An hour and a bit drive through the pooring rain and we are back home. It's 21:00 hourse on Whit Sunday (Pentecost), we cuddle Maja and Loeki and fall a sleep.
6 Lovely days are unfortunately ended. Tomorrow back to the 'real' world.
