Santorini, Greek isles

Santorini is widely known because of its beauty, breathtaking views, traditional villages perched on top of impressive cliffs and blue domed churches. But that is only part of the islands charm. We had the loveliest time on Parisi Beach dipping in the Aegean Sea and being served refreshments and pitas whilst lazing on beach chairs under umbrellas.

There are three options to get to the top of Santorini, in order to reach Fira, the island’s capital. The easy option is a 5 minute cable car ride which costs  4. The second option is a little smelly and I felt it was far too cruel to consider. For  5 one can ride a donkey up the steep cliffside or thirdly one may choose to climb the 588 stairs on foot whilst dodging the donkeys and the little gifts they leave behind. We opted to take the cable car and then took a walk through the narrow pedestrian streets on the top. We did however make our decent at the end of the day on foot. It was no minor feat dodging tired, grumpy donkeys and their piles of poop. I was extremely relieved when we finally made it to the bottom of the cliff without being kicked or bitten.

We had started the day with a visit to Oia, a picturesque settlement on a cliff overlooking the amazing caldera (the crater of the volcano). It was here we saw the most published picture in the world of the white washed, blue domed church and enjoyed spectacular views of beautiful terraces and boutique hotels hanging on an impressive cliff over the deep blue of the sea.

It is a little daunting sharing the path with the donkeys. 

We also visited the Prehistoric Akrotiri Archaeological Site which has just recently been reopened after years of constructing an enclosed dome over the top of the ruins. Stepping back in time we walked the streets and saw their homes as they may have been before the volcanoes great eruption. 

Mykonos - Greek Islands

We had a fabulous afternoon with our new friends from Virginia, USA, sitting at a waterfront taverna sipping cocktails and just enjoying the scenery after a busy day looking around the island. 

A local admiring his work

The local market

The church

The local pet

Another crazy local

The nightlife

Delos - Greek Islands

Left Athens for Kea, an island situated between the southeastern coast of Attica and the islands of Kythnos, Syros and Andros. This was our first introduction to the laid back Greek culture of the islands.

The following morning we woke up to find ourselves on the island of Mykonos. How lovely! We caught a  ferry over to the island of Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and walked around the archaeological site, discovering the remains of the ancient city.

Our yacht we will be cruising around the Greek Isles on.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The city of cycling

Everywhere you look there are bicycles. It inspired me to take up cycling as a means of transportation when I get home. It may be tricky on the mountain though!

We certainly received an education that we were not prepared for in Amsterdam. Anything seems to go, so it is not unusual to see people getting stoned in cafes or prostitutes standing in windows selling their services. The difficult thing for us to comprehend is that it is all perfectly legal. It was very confronting for us and made us feel quite depressed.

We visited the Anne Frank House where the original building as it was, has been turned into a museum that you can walk through and relate to what when on in the place of hiding all those years ago. It is so sad to think that Hitler had such a devastating effect on the lives of so many innocent people. 

Rather amusing seeing a group of people cycling around Amsterdam on this portable bar. 

Anne Frank House

One of the many cafes where getting stoned is perfectly normal

Drug store - not of the American kind

Saying goodbye to our dear new friends Luca and Patrick, from Italy and Wales. We said goodbye to many new friends that night. It will be strange not having breakfast, lunch and dinner with James and Kassie.