Showing posts with label Santorini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santorini. Show all posts

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Ocean Bay Suites - Santorini

October 6 - Aegean

Get up early, pack the last things and then wait for the taxi. That is very comfortable. Well in time at Zaventem, so first a coffee and a snack. The flight is delayed. If only that goes well in Athens. We are now on the way.
It went fine. The flight arrived in Athens on time and the transfer was only a few meters away. After a flight of just half an hour, or was it shorter, we land on Santorini. It takes almost an hour (!) Before the suitcase arrives. Collecting the rental car (a run down Toyota AyGo) is fast. We quickly found our stay for the coming days, Ocean Bay Suites in Kamari. It is a small paradise. Vaggelis welcomes us.
Time to eat something. The first place, right next to OBS, looks nice. We are immediately talked to and taken through the menu. It sounds great. Ah, why look further. It will be Fish of the Day (1 sea bass and 1 sea bream). Grilled, with butter, sea salt and lemon. Delicious! Also the recommended Greek salad according to local recipe was super.


Een bericht gedeeld door Jos de Bakker (@holidaysdivingdreaming) op

October 7 - Instagram

We wake up early. It's raining hard. The first plane at 6 o'clock. We are right on the runway. That is a benefit and a disadvantage. The disadvantage is that the planes come across briefly, and that is scary and strange the first time. The advantage is that they are over after 2 to 3 counts and it is therefore quiet again. Next breakfast. I'm curious. First, continue to sleep until half past eight. And yes, the breakfast is good.
No plans for this day. We stroll down the boulevard to the end and back. Nice such a location where you can do everything. We arrive at Almira for lunch. Okay but not nearly as good as Soul by Splash where we had dinner yesterday evening. After some rest we decide to go to the sunset in Oia. It remains a beautiful place, although it is busy. Hordes of dressed up girls shooting their Insta Selfie. It is already crowded now at the hot spots, you wonder how it is in high season. Probably worse than an amusement park. And then suddenly next to us, a boy on his knees with a ring in his hands: "Will you marry me?" ...... "Yes!"

There are too many clouds for a beautiful sunset, but the pictures are fine. Time to go back to Kamira. Another delicious dinner at the neighbors: Splash by Soul.

8 October - Φηρά

After breakfast we go to Fira. The cruise ships moor there and it shows. Many recognition points from 8.5 years ago. Certainly the boat on the outskirts of Fira, where it is already a lot quieter. 

After a nice wine / beer on a terrace with a beautiful view we go back to Kamari. Lunch at the neighbors. Sounds boring, but the food is very tasty. Time for siesta now.
We go for a short drive to Ancient Thira. Man, what a steep road up. Petra doesn't like it. So back again. Just up and down the boulevard. Dinner at the neighbors. Was a nice day again. Snorkelling tomorrow?

October 9 - Lazy day


After the nice breakfast I have a chat with Vaggelis about the garden, the world, everything in fact. While Petra is busy photographing butterflies, I decide to go snorkelling, and assume that Petra is coming. Just to be sure, I put my wallet and my phone in the safe. When I see Petra's new iPhone still in bed, I put it in the safe. Ultimately it's only me going snorkelling. Nice, but not really much to see. Suddenly I see Petra on the beach. She gives a cross gesture. The same thing you do if you want to stop a dive immediately and go to the surface. Strange! I immediately swim towards her. She is panicking. She has lost her phone. Oops. I forgot to say that I had put it in the safe. Sorry.
We will have lunch in the restaurant next so Splash by Soul. More Greek specialities and also very tasty. Especially the recommended tomato balls are tasty, we order another portion. After a siesta we go back to Oia for the sunset. Halfway I see a yellow light. Something about the tires? A flat tire? Arriving in Oia, the tire on Petra's side appears to be a bit low ob air. While driving I didn't notice a difference. Hopefully there will still be air in it when we return home. Now first to the Caldera. The sun shines. The sea is beautiful blue. Picture perfect. After walking up and down a few times, we decide where to photograph the sunset. Nice location, beautiful photos. Time to go back. Then I realise that I have forgotten my normal prescription glasses, and driving wearing my prescription sunglasses at night is not an option. So without glasses it is then. There is still enough air in the tire. Petra is paying attention as well to help me driving the right direction, while I am carefully following the tail lights of car in front of me. We reach OBS without any problems. Dinner at the neighbours.

October 10 - The handbag

We don't want to leave late. Actually, we want to leave early today. Petra suddenly finds out that she can't find her handbag anywhere. Shit. And now? I'm going to ask the neighbours. According to the boy in the kitchen, a bag was found last night, but where it is now ...? The boss probably took it home for safety. He will be arriving soon. We decide to wait. After breakfast we tell our story to Vaggelis. He is calling. Yes, he's coming soon. We wait and wait, but still no boss. It will be fine. We decide to go and hope for the bag to turn up when we return. In the meantime I have been to the gas station to put some air in the tire, but the light stays on. At the next gas station I add even more air. 2.7 bar. Too much. Light stays on.
We're going to Imerovigli. Nice place. Wine with a view. Then we go to Oia. Too busy. Pizza with a beer. Well. We are going back. Time to relax.
Last dinner at the neighbors. Grilled fish, because it is so tasty.

October 11 - home

Breakfast, pack, Vagelis shake hands and go. We are now at the airport, we will be flying in an hour.
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Ocean Bay Suites - Santorini [Dutch]

6 oktober - Aegean

Vroeg op, de laatste spullen inpakken en dan wachten op de taxi. Dat is wel erg comfortabel. Ruim op tijd op Zaventem, dus eerst even een koffietje en een hapje. De vlucht is vertraagd. Als dat maar goed gaat in Athene. We zijn inmiddels onderweg.
Het ging prima. De vlucht was op tijd in Athene en de overstap was maar een paar meter verderop. Na een goed half uur vliegen, of was het korter, landen we op Santorini. Het duurt bijna een uur (!) voordat de koffer er is. Het ophalen van de huurauto (een aftandse Toyota AyGo) gaat snel. Onze verblijf voor de komende dagen, Ocean Bay Suites in Kamari, hebben we snel gevonden. Het is een klein paradijsje. Vaggelis heet ons welkom.
Tijd om wat te gaan eten. De eerste tent,  direct naast OBS, ziet er leuk uit. We worden meteen door de kaart gepraat. Het klinkt prima. Ach, waarom verder kijken. Het wordt Fish of the Day (1 sea bass en 1 sea bream). Gegrild, met boter, zeezout en citroen. Heerlijk! Ook de aanbevolen Griekse salade volgens lokaal recept was super.


Een bericht gedeeld door Jos de Bakker (@holidaysdivingdreaming) op

7 oktober - Instagram

We zijn vroeg wakker. Het regent keihard. Om 6 uur het eerste vliegtuig. We zitten direct aan de landingsbaan. Dat is een voor en een nadeel. Het nadeel is dat de vliegtuigen kort over komen, en dat is de eerste keer wel eng en vreemd. Het voordeel is dat ze na 2 à 3 tellen voorbij zijn en het dus weer stil is. Dadelijk ontbijt. Ik ben benieuwd. Nu eerst even heerlijk verder slapen tot half negen. En ja, het ontbijt is goed.
Weinig plannen voor deze dag. We slenteren de boulevard af tot het einde en terug. Fijn zo'n locatie waar vanalles te doen is. Voor de lunch belanden we bij Almira. Oké maar lang niet zo goed als Soul by Splash waar we gisteren avond gegeten hebben. Na wat rusten en wat luieren besluiten we naar de sunset in Oia te gaan. Het blijft een prachtig plaatsje, al is het er wel druk. Hordes opgetutte meisjes die hun Insta-Selfie schieten. Het is nu al dringen, je vraagt je af hoe dat in het hoogseizoen is. Erger dan een pretpark waarschijnlijk. En dan ineens naast ons, een jongen op zijn knieën met in ring in zijn handen: "Will you marry me?" ...... "Yes!" 


Er is te veel bewolking voor een mooie sunset, maar de foto's zijn prima. Tijd om terug naar Kamira te gaan. Weer een heerlijk dinner bij de buren: Splash by Soul.

8 oktober - Φηρά

Na het ontbijt gaan we naar Fira. Daar leggen de cruise schepen aan en dat is te merken. Veel punten van herkenning van 8.5 jaar geleden. Zeker de boot aan de rand van Fira, waar het al een stuk rustiger is. 

Na een lekker wijntje/biertje op en terras met een prachtig uitzicht gaan we terug naar Kamari. Lunch bij de buren. Klinkt saai, maar het eten is er erg lekker. Tijd voor siësta nu.
Even een klein stukje rijden maar Ancient Thira. Man, wat een steile weg omhoog. Petra vind het maar niks. Dus weer terug. Lekker even de boulevard open en neer. Dinner bij de buren. Was weer een mooi dagje. Morgen snorkelen?

9 oktober - Lui dagje


Na het lekkere ontbijt een hele tijd met Vaggelis gesproken. Over de tuin, de wereld, van alles eigenlijk. Terwijl Petra druk is met vlindertjes fotograferen, besluit ik te gaan snorkelen, en ga ervan uit dat Petra ook mee gaat. Voor de zekerheid doe ik mijn portemonnee en mijn telefoon in de kluis. Als ik Petra's nieuwe iPhone nog op bed zie liggen stop ik die ook maar in de kluis. Uiteindelijk gaat ik alleen snorkelen. Leuk, maar niet echt veel te zien. Opeens zie ik Petra op het strand. Ze geeft een kruis gebaar. Hetzelfde wat je maakt als je een duik per direct wil afbreken en naar de oppervlakte gaat. Vreemd! Ik zwem meteen naar haar toe. Ze is in paniek. Ze is haar telefoon  kwijt. Oeps. Ik was vergeten te zeggen dat ik hem in de kluis had gelegd. Sorry.
Lunchen doen we één tentje verder. Meer Griekse specialiteiten en ook erg lekker. Vooral de aanbevolen tomaten balletjes zijn lekker, we bestellen nog een portie. Na een siësta gaan we terug naar Oia voor de sunset. Halverwege zie ik een geel lampje. Iets met de banden? Een lekke band? In Oia aangekomen blijkt de band aan Petra's kant wat slapper te zijn. Onderweg verder niks van gemerkt. Hopelijk zit er straks nog lucht in. Nu eerst naar de Caldera. De zon schijnt. De zee is mooi blauw. Picture perfect. Na een paar keer op en neer te lopen besluiten we waar we de sunset gaan fotograferen. Mooie lokatie, prachtige foto's. Tijd om terug te gaan. Dan besef ik dat ik mijn gewone bril vergeten ben, en met de zonnebril op sterkte 's nachts rijden is ook geen optie. Dan maar zonder bril.
Er zit nog voldoende lucht in de band. Petra kijkt goed mee en ik rijdt rustig achter mijn voorliggers aan. We bereiken OBS zonder problemen. Dinner bij de buren.

10 oktober - De handtas

We willen niet te laat gaan. Zeg maar vroeg. Opeens merkt Petra dat ze haar handtas nergens kan vinden. Shit. En nu? Ik ga bij de buren vragen. Volgens de jongen in de keuken was er gisterenavond een tas gevonden, maar waar die nu is ... ? Waarschijnlijk heeft de baas hem meegenomen voor de veiligheid. De baas komt zo. We besluiten te wachten. Het duurt en het duurt. Na het ontbijt vertellen we ons verhaal aan Vaggelis. Hij belt. Ja, hij komt zo. Het duurt en het duurt. Het komt wel goed. We gaan. Ik heb ondertussen nog even de band opgepompt,  maar het lampje blijft branden. Bij het volgende tankstation pomp ik de band nog verder op. 2.7 bar. Te veel dus. Lampje blijft branden.
We gaan naar Imerovigli. Mooi plaatsje. Wijntje met uitzicht. Daarna nog even naar Oia. Te druk. Pizza met een biertje. Tja. We gaan terug. Tijd om even te relaxen.
Laatste dinner bij de buren. Gegrilde vis, omdat het zo lekker is.

11 oktober - naar huis

Ontbijten, inpakken, Vagelis de hand schudden en gaan. We zijn nu op het vliegveld, over een uurtje vliegen we.
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Avant Garde Suites - Santorini

June 8th - Leaving for Santorini

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!!


After strolling through the small streets of Oia we decent to the old harbour. Quite a walk down. We had a very good lunch at Sunset Viewpoint (Fishermans Salad and Calimari Friti). And than, with a full stomach, the whole climb back to Oia. Back there we bougth a nice hand painted Icon for my mother and 2 thimbles for Fatima.



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.


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