Imagine, Believe & Achieve!: Santorini

Santorini

We arrive in Santorini around 2pm on Wednesday afternoon. After disembarking our ferry we make our way through the hustle and bustle of the crowds of people to a man who is waiting for us with a sign that reads 'Brewer'. He is happy to see us and takes our luggage to load the bus. We jump on board and the crazyride up the incredibly steep and narrow mountain begins. After about 30 minutes of the insanity we arrive in Oia. The bell boy meets us and helps us with our luggage. In the blistering heat we are drenched in sweat by the time we reach the top of the hills - and then the descent down the huge flight of stairs begins. We reach reception and are greeted by Maria, a lovely Greek woman who is extremely welcoming, caring and extremely helpful. We thank her for her help and the bell boy leads us to our room.

The view is breath taking. We are situated on the side of the cliff with 180 degree views of vast ocean stretching out before us. Separating us from the edge are perfectly placed sun lounges and a small swimming pool to help us cool down between sunbathing sessions - we are home! We walk past the jacuzzi to our front door and the bell boy opens the door. We are greeted by a rush of cool air. We have aircon! very much appreciated. The room is beautiful, decorated in white and light blues. The bathroom is made of stone and the large shower is complete with a monsoon head and above this are hundreds of small led lights spread out across the rood, slowly changing colours from pinks, to purple, through to blue, greens and yellow. Like stars in the nights sky. To top it off there is a small window with blue shutters that opens up to show our amazing view. This, in my books, has got to be the most perfect way to shower. As I take in our beautiful bathroom I am over come with grattitude and joy. The window in the scene before me is extremely similar to the one I had pasted on my goal board back home around 1 year prior to this trip. It is more confirmation to me that I am exactly where I need to be at this point in time, and more proof of the power of attraction, and what can be manifested when you have faith!

After a quick change of clothing we make our way up the long set of stairs in search of a cafe. We find one about 100 metres from our place and take a seat in the shade over looking the ocean. We scan the menu and each order delicious salads and a much needed bottle of water. When lunch is finished, we thank the waitress and head to the local super market to stock up on supplies. Fruit, cereal and the all important bottle of vodka. We return to our room, change into bikinis and go stake our claim on the lounges. The view is amazing and in the intense heat we indulge in an afternoon nap.

After waking up in another pool of my own sweat the swimming pool is a welcomed luxury. It is now officially cocktail time. Vodka lime and soda all round. The air is warm, the sun is slowly beginning its gradual descent across the sky and the company is fantastic. This is heaven. A very suarve looking greek man approaches us and greets us. After introductions it appears he is the owner and would like to know what wine we would enjoy. After a lovely conversation he disappears and the bell boy returns with a cool bucket of ice complete with a bottle of local Greek wine. We thank the man, clink glasses and lie back to enjoy our wine. If this is backpacking - I dont see why people complain!

When George returns we thank him for the wine and ask his opinion of dinner. He makes a reservation for us at skala, a favourite local restaurant just metres from our hotel. He invites us to join him after dinner to see the night life of Santorini. So once we are showered, dressed and the makeup is applied, we head to Skala for dinner. We indulge in a beautiful veggie salad, fresh calamari and another bottle of wine.

When we are finished dinner we join George and he escorts us over to the other town area here for our night life adventure. We arrive at a nice little lounge bar called Tango. A bottle of Vodka is ordered and after a couple Vodka red bulls we are energized and ready to dance. Tango is beautiful. It is on the side of the hill, open air so we can enjoy the warm nights breeze and a gorgeous view of the ocean. We spend an hour or so here and then make our way around other various clubs.

Around 4am we are hungry again and go in search of kebabs. Kendyl and I struggle down the cobble stone streets in our wedge heels. Two local guys see our struggle and come to our aid - how kind of them. They join our group for kebabs and after we have had two each we are sufficiently re-fuelled. We then make our way back to Oia to see the sunrise.

Whenwe wake at 11am we are, needless to say, slightly groggy.Nothing a swim and tanning session wont fix! We head outside to be met on the terrace with a huge tray of breakfast. Antoher extreemely generous gift from George. We sit down and enjoy a hearty breakfast of croissants, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit, yoghurt and orange juice. Everything is so beautiful a fresh. Now that we are full we waddle over to beach ourselves on the lounges again to wait for our friend Billie to meet us.

After we check her in we go to reception where there is a man waiting to greet us and show us to our hired quad bikes. After a safety briefing and a few practice runs we are off! Billie and Claire drive and Kendyl and I hold on for dear life on the back. We make our way through the crazy windy streets of santorini, drinking in all the amazing views along the way. It is such an exhillarating experience and the views are breathe taking.

We get to the black beach and cruise along the water front bars looking for the ones George has recommended. We pull up outside wet stories. There is pumping music, and its a great set up so we decide to go in. They greet us like old friends and hurry us to the bar where they proceed to pour us delicious caramel shots. After two shots and managing to dodge a third we order mojitos and sit down on the comfy lounge suit to order lunch. Mojitos arrive with a side of shots - I guess it would be rude not to take them!

After we finish we decide to head back and watch the sunset in Oia. We go to pay and they drag us to the bar where a jug of a delicious watermelon cocktail awaits with about 30 straws in it. Claire and Billie have to drive, so being the wonderful friends that we are, Kendyl and I take one for the team and drink the jug! We are about to attemp goodbyes again, when the waiter then brings out a plate piled up with four amazing crepe like desserts drizzled in caramel. As we bite in an explosion of melted chocolate and banana fills my mouth. I am sure I have just died and gone to heaven! I seriously reccomend everyone to experience this bar, it is the best one on the Black beach! We manage to say good bye and slip away. The sun is slowly starting its decline and we want to make it back for sunset.

We get back to Armeni Village, park the bikes and stroll down to the look out point to enjoy the sunset. It is so beautiful and the lookout is packed with people all here for the same reason. As the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon a cheer errupts and people begin to clap.

So now it is time to head back, shower and get ready to go to dinner. George has booked Skala again and we have two other friends joing as well. We hurridly get ready, meet up with everyone and head to Skala. The owner is so friendly and greets us all warmly. He then seats us at the best table in the house and brings us a beautiful bottle of wine. 'chin chin' and the glasses chink. Then the food begins to come out. The freshest and best tasting seafood is laid before us. Different types from octopus, clams and fish, breads, pastas and my favourite - lobster pasta! Absolutely amazing. A few intellectual debates break out and after a stimulating conversation and a lot of laughs dessert is then laid before us. Chocolate cake, baklava and water melon. One of the guys is filming for a documentary and he is very excited with the footage he has captured. The food coma is sneaking on and at 12:30 we decide to make a move for bed. We thank the owner graciously for his generosity and company, say our goodbyes and all but launch ourselves into bed.

The time spent in Santorini has been heaven on Earth. The service was outstanding and we have had the most enjoyable experiences. This was supposed to be a relaxing few days to recover before partying in Mykonos. If this is how we relax, I look forward to seeing how we party . . .

# Dreams really do become reality when you have Faith xx