Santorini..what can I say?

What can I say about Santorini except that all you hear is true! It's a gorgeous place! I had high expectations coming here and was afraid that I would be disappointed like I was with Venice but I wasn't. Disappointed with Venice- every girl- when you think Venice..you think romantic..cute..romantic..this is the hopeless romantic in me making a rare appearance..you get to Venice and it's not all that cute or romantic..still beautiful but definitely more unique than anything else. Ok..back to Santorini..I don't even know where to start with Santorini..

I left Chania at the crack of dawn to catch the 9am ferry to Santorini. The port at Iraklio was a little confusing..after wandering around for a little bit..I asked the port police guy who was then nice enough to get his keys to let me in through a shortcut! Awesome! After a 2+ hour ferry ride..I arrived in Santorini..immediately greeted by 20+ locals with signs of "room available"..one even "ran" after me and offered 10 euros but I already had a place. The bus wasn't leaving for Fira for another 30 minutes so I thought I'd have to wait..until this local asked me where I was going..I told him "Fira"..he said, "Thira?" I said, "Sure." He then asked if I wanted to share a cab with him up there and I said yes. He then reached for my bag and found us a taxi..ah..chivalry isn't dead afterall! haha! Our cab driver was carazy!! He tried to pass cars and big tour buses on a very narrow windy mountain road! I wanted him to drive more to the right because anymore to the left..we would have fallen off the cliff and I would have liked to actually see Santorini!!

Santorini- surpassed all expectations!

I can't even begin to sum up my time here in Santorini. I saw the two most amazing sunsets- one if Oia (old town) and one in Fira. I had the Red Beach literally to myself for a few hours until the afternoon tourist friends arrived. I took an early morning hike along the Caldera..high up along side the mountains of Santorini. Perhaps, the best part was yesterday morning when I woke up to take some early morning pictures. I heard bells. Bells= donkeys are coming! Seven donkeys and a little old man crossed my path. The old man named Beit asked if I wanted to ride the donkey. I said later...he said now..I said later..he said now so I gave in. It was perhaps the best timing ever. Santorini not awake yet..just me..seven donkeys..and little Beit riding down the mountains to the port. Midway through, I think donkey #5 and I really bonded! We developed an understanding of eachother..I was a bit nervous..he had to be gentle! I took a picture of Beit and donkey before leaving them..that will become one of my favorite photos of my time in Santorini.

I am not quite ready to leave Santorini yet..but another day might be too much for me so I rather leave wanting more. Santorini is a place I will come back to!