Santorini. Where superlatives were created. Where emotions and volcanoes erupt. Where dreams come alive.
Walking the narrow streets or climbing the steps in Fira or Oia is living in a post card. Everywhere you look, every glance down an alley offers a superlative. Roof top silhouettes of a church, blue roofs accenting whitewashed houses, highlighted by flaming pink bougainvillea, or magnificent views to the Aegean thousands of feet below. Family cave dwellings etched into the steep cliffs or open air balconies and infinity pools actually gazing into limitless time and space. Old bubbas sit in shops hoping you’ll stop by, as their favorite cat peacefully rests on their lap. Soak this ambiance in, soak this serenity in and allow it to become part of your soul. Allow yourself to become the superlative you possess inside.
Joseph was here 50 years ago and I first visited 30+ years ago. The only way to access the steep caldera was walking or riding a donkey up the hundreds of stairs. This visit we flew into the small airport on the flat side of the island. We decided to stay only on the edge of the caldera, with occasional enjoyable outings to the volcano, the interior vineyards and olive groves and the black sand beaches to the east with our new friend Kostos. What a great guy. He oozed Greek hospitality and friendliness from every pore.
On a calm summer’s day in 1646 BC life in the Aegean changed forever. Mt Thira on Santorini, exploded catastrophically, killing 30,000 people and causing tsunamis and earthquakes. This devastation also wiped out the neighboring Minoan civilization on Crete; allowing the Mycenaeans to develop and grow into the Greeks. With power equal to 2 million atomic bombs it rivals the ancient explosion at Lake Toba, Sumatera. The area and even the globe changed forever!
“First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is.” Perhaps one of the largest eruptions witnessed by mankind, much of Santorini was destroyed or submerged, leaving behind today’s stunning caldera. Some think this was the inspiration for the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis. Plato writes about an island, with a very advanced civilization, that disappeared under the sea.
Today the volcano is dormant but still slightly active. It will erupt again. When, who knows? Walking the streets of Fira one of the first things we noticed were the many, many churches of all sizes; paying tribute to the volcano, in hopes that there will not be further eruptions. Enough already! The only place I ever settled down was on the side of an active volcano in Hawaii. We were feeling right at home.
Joseph and I don’t usually do favorites, as the world is full of amazing places, people and cultures. But I have to say staying on the steep edge of the caldera, gazing over the wonder of the Greek Isles, ranks right up there. It is pricey, but it is a splurge that ignites the romantic wonder of this mesmerizing island. Villas from $100 to $5000 a night offer unrivalled views of the Aegean and beg you to stop, relax, and pamper yourself. Sitting on our rooftop balcony, named the “Love Nest’, watching the sun go down as we sipped a glass of fine red wine, we were reminded of how great life is; especially with someone you Love!! Dreams do come true. Love and be kind to those around you. Love and be patient with yourself! Focus on the gifts we have; not on what we lack. We must remember to be ever thankful, as life is impermanent. Who knows when our number is up? Illness, accident, or the sleeping volcano beneath you may decide to explode. Live your dreams. Check off your bucket list. Enjoy the gift of each day, each hour, each moment!! Live!! Now!!
And so it goes…………………………………..Next off to Napflia then Athens, to rob one of the cradles of our civilization. Until then Keep Laughing, Keep Living Life to the Fullest, and remember the time is NOW to make your dreams come true! We are glad you stopped by. Keep informed, stand in your truth and enjoy each day! Take care!
Love, Light & Laughter,
xo Nancy & Joseph
