Greece Day 13 - our last day on Santorini.
It is sad to be typing this at the end of our journey. Sad to contemplate that I will again be back to work in a few days. But so happy to have had these experiences.
Today was beautiful. It dawned, as every day, sunny and bright. We picked up a rental car for the day and decided to check the shopping in Oia (pronounced eee-ah) for a couple of items I was still looking for. Shopping was not so good, but the walk in the sun was lovely. From there, we headed around the island in search of wineries. I do not remember the name of the first one we visited. We had encountered their wine in a restaurant and had not been impressed. Their tasting room was closed for lunch, so we didn't try their wines there. But I bring this place up because of their grounds. We stopped for several pictures amongst their picturesque vines with the sea behind ... we looked at grapes ripening on the vine and the beautiful winery villa behind. Aah; very beautiful.
The next stop was more successful. We got to tour their barrel room and taste several varieties of wine. We bought two bottles and headed down the road. We briefly visited another and then to the beach. After a prolonged and somewhat terrifying tour going the wrong way on steep, steep, did I mention steep and very very twisty mountain roads, we made it to the black sand beach we had intended to visit. Unlike yesterday's "red beach" this one was a long sand beach that deepened very gradually. The other had limited access and limited amenities. This was quite the opposite. Eric sat in a beach chair with a beer and we swam again in the ocean. This time, we had purchased goggles so we could see underwater. This added a lot to the experience for me, and the next time I come I am quite sure it will be with my scuba mask and snorkel. I saw quite a few fish (no jellyfish though) ;) and enjoyed diving down to look at different rocks and peek into crevices.
Afterward, we made one last stop - to the Boutari winery. We already knew that we enjoyed their Nemea wine, so we wanted to taste some more. They suggested we watch an 'informative video' while they poured our taste. Karin was interested, so off we went to watch the video. Rather than the informational virtual tour we had expected, it was this weird powerpoint-like slide presentation with pictures of volcanic lava, grapes, the Boutari logo, paintings from the ruins at Acroteri ... very odd. G fell asleep. E just looked around and said 'WTF is this?' K started texting, so I told her that if I had to be bored until it was done she did too. *giggle* We were a bit disappointed with the tasting, but purchased a different bottle and then made our way home for mezzes and wine.
K and I did another hour or so of shopping, and now we're all off to bed. Up early to catch a flight to Athens because E&K are off to Crete from there. It will be G&I in Athens again to finish the trip, and then home.
Today was beautiful. It dawned, as every day, sunny and bright. We picked up a rental car for the day and decided to check the shopping in Oia (pronounced eee-ah) for a couple of items I was still looking for. Shopping was not so good, but the walk in the sun was lovely. From there, we headed around the island in search of wineries. I do not remember the name of the first one we visited. We had encountered their wine in a restaurant and had not been impressed. Their tasting room was closed for lunch, so we didn't try their wines there. But I bring this place up because of their grounds. We stopped for several pictures amongst their picturesque vines with the sea behind ... we looked at grapes ripening on the vine and the beautiful winery villa behind. Aah; very beautiful.
The next stop was more successful. We got to tour their barrel room and taste several varieties of wine. We bought two bottles and headed down the road. We briefly visited another and then to the beach. After a prolonged and somewhat terrifying tour going the wrong way on steep, steep, did I mention steep and very very twisty mountain roads, we made it to the black sand beach we had intended to visit. Unlike yesterday's "red beach" this one was a long sand beach that deepened very gradually. The other had limited access and limited amenities. This was quite the opposite. Eric sat in a beach chair with a beer and we swam again in the ocean. This time, we had purchased goggles so we could see underwater. This added a lot to the experience for me, and the next time I come I am quite sure it will be with my scuba mask and snorkel. I saw quite a few fish (no jellyfish though) ;) and enjoyed diving down to look at different rocks and peek into crevices.
Afterward, we made one last stop - to the Boutari winery. We already knew that we enjoyed their Nemea wine, so we wanted to taste some more. They suggested we watch an 'informative video' while they poured our taste. Karin was interested, so off we went to watch the video. Rather than the informational virtual tour we had expected, it was this weird powerpoint-like slide presentation with pictures of volcanic lava, grapes, the Boutari logo, paintings from the ruins at Acroteri ... very odd. G fell asleep. E just looked around and said 'WTF is this?' K started texting, so I told her that if I had to be bored until it was done she did too. *giggle* We were a bit disappointed with the tasting, but purchased a different bottle and then made our way home for mezzes and wine.
K and I did another hour or so of shopping, and now we're all off to bed. Up early to catch a flight to Athens because E&K are off to Crete from there. It will be G&I in Athens again to finish the trip, and then home.