welcome to Santorini (Thira)
Friday, 5. September 2008, 09:35:06
(continued)
after taking some hundred photos from the ferry looking at the incredible cliffs and snow-like cities on their tops the boat stopped in Santorini's new (big) harbor - the old one is suitable only for small boats -. Got down from the boat, took a deep breath and congratulated ourselves for this performance.
Then the fun began: looking for accomodation and car-rental.
After long negotiations and many phone calls by the office manager there, we managed to get THE SAME apartment we stayed in 2 years ago (out of 500+ hotels on the island). So, at Nomikos Villa, for 250 eur /night (all of us), we have a great view of the Volcano crater ("Caldera View"), included breakfast, swimming pool, some great people serving us, all located in Firostefani (basically what New Jersey is for New York and Otopeni for Bucharest).
We got a car (a bit too expensive we'd think : 40 eur / day + 9 eur full insurance). A Suzuki Jimny (very small / crowded 4x4) without roof cover and ... gas
. They said we have enough to reach the top of the cliff, and there we should put gas. But we never made it on the top 
. God damn toy remained empty in the middle of the steep ascent and we got stranded there like a bunch of disoriented ducks 
. Called the office, they sent someone with 2 liters of gas and we finally made it there.
provided you don't eat too much, Santorini is *the place* for photographers.
Not going to add much comment on this, as these guys have done a great job already. Enjoy.
However, be careful when you order food (especially big fish). Some fish may go to 100eur/kilo or even higher. The four of us spend on average ~80euro/lunch and ~30euro/coffee+refreshments sessions.
We're going now to see the Volcano and the Red Beach.
Coming back with more juicy stuff...
after taking some hundred photos from the ferry looking at the incredible cliffs and snow-like cities on their tops the boat stopped in Santorini's new (big) harbor - the old one is suitable only for small boats -. Got down from the boat, took a deep breath and congratulated ourselves for this performance.
Then the fun began: looking for accomodation and car-rental.
After long negotiations and many phone calls by the office manager there, we managed to get THE SAME apartment we stayed in 2 years ago (out of 500+ hotels on the island). So, at Nomikos Villa, for 250 eur /night (all of us), we have a great view of the Volcano crater ("Caldera View"), included breakfast, swimming pool, some great people serving us, all located in Firostefani (basically what New Jersey is for New York and Otopeni for Bucharest).
We got a car (a bit too expensive we'd think : 40 eur / day + 9 eur full insurance). A Suzuki Jimny (very small / crowded 4x4) without roof cover and ... gas
. They said we have enough to reach the top of the cliff, and there we should put gas. But we never made it on the top . God damn toy remained empty in the middle of the steep ascent and we got stranded there like a bunch of disoriented ducks . Called the office, they sent someone with 2 liters of gas and we finally made it there.provided you don't eat too much, Santorini is *the place* for photographers.
Not going to add much comment on this, as these guys have done a great job already. Enjoy.
However, be careful when you order food (especially big fish). Some fish may go to 100eur/kilo or even higher. The four of us spend on average ~80euro/lunch and ~30euro/coffee+refreshments sessions.
We're going now to see the Volcano and the Red Beach.
Coming back with more juicy stuff...
This time we've teamed up with Marius & Andreea and went by car to Greece. 3 main reasons : It's close, it's nice, and we know our way around there already.
Anyway, we managed to eat some appetizers, and off we went towards Serres, and then to Thessaloniki. 
and ON the boat whole 12 hours 
of this ride to Santorini. Lucky it wasn't too cold, but we 
WIDGETIZE