So I’ve never done this before on my blog, but so many of you have inquired lately ‘How was your trip to Greece!‘ I figured I should do a post with a handful of images and stories to share. Typically when I travel, I’ll do a post or two with a small collection of images that I like best. But this time, I thought to do more of a compilation with captions of my recent family vacation abroad, so you can get a good taste of what we ourselves tasted.
We started on Santorini, Greece’s beautiful volcanic island in the South Aegean. And my word, it was beautiful! Almost everywhere on the island you can see water surrounding the land, and the views, combined with the gentle but strong gusts of wind, were breathtaking. We took a boat out of Athens early the first morning and made it to our little haven by mid afternoon. We spent a lot of time relaxing in the beautiful home we rented, built into a cave in the cliff. But anyone that knows me knows that I can’t lounge for too long, so I went out and rented an ATV to explore the island on my own. My brother Nick, joined me for a few hours the first day, but I cruised around the rest of the time solo, stopping to take pictures here and there of the beautiful arid island landscape.
One evening as the sun started to sink into our Sea, we had a little family photo shoot while sipping on iced Ouzo and drawing on cigars. We sat in our ‘backyard’ and talked about relationships and communication and traveling and growing and everything between. It was family bonding at it’s finest: Greek style.
Greek coffee is the best! And so is Greek salad. We had our own kitchen so we bought tomatoes, cucumber and feta and had a salad with almost every meal.
The boat ride on the Aegean was a little rough. I’ll leave it at that, but it was totally worth it! That’s a view of Fira from the port, the town we stayed near.
Here’s my parents’ bedroom door at our home in Fira Stefani. We each had our own rooms with private entrances. Amazing.
The view south to Fira from our backyard…
That little circular ‘deck’ was just outside of Nick and my bedrooms. Our own private little deck away from the massive one upstairs…
Upstairs deck: Leo on the phone, Carol enjoying a book and a vino beside the setting sun.
Active volcano just across the lagoon…
Our deck after sunset, then stairs up to the local church we never got to go in, as it’s locked all week.
Olive oil is a part of every meal.
Vineyards!
There aren’t many beaches in Santorini, as much of the land that borders water are high cliffs. So I was stoked to find a secluded beach down a random dirt road that I had all to myself (on right).
Just down this road (on the left) I found another secluded beach with just three of us there; then there was a small stairway (image on right) I found a few hundred yards off from a populated beach where I climbed into the Sea and took a swim by myself.
Wine made by a little woman selling herbs and jams by the road. Bought a bottle with my new friends Reed and Emily to drink on the beach…
She gave us samples to try for free! She spoke little English, but we had fun talking with her and trying her creations. Delish!
Family photo shoot! You’d think the family of a photographer would have cameras other than their iPads…
love my parents
and the Big Guy
I realize that planking is soooo 2011 but we had to bring it to Greece, just in case…
Then Carol tried her own ‘plank’ and we all about had a heart attack as she fought balance on her next move. This ledge overlooks the edge of the cliff.
Nick outside his bedroom.
Family portrait, set up and shot by yours truly.
Hope you enjoyed! We sure did!
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Carie - Jackie-
Personal posts are wonderful. Thanks SO much for sharing. Never been to Greece so this was a great glimpse! Is it weird if I say you look fab laid out in your bikini?! Ha! You do!!! Love this post. Thanks again.