Ios

Its been a long time since I've been able to post because there is very little internet in the Greek Islands that we were on (which is actually part of the charm). We were on Santirini for 2 nights which was not nearly enough time and then went to Ios, one of my new favorite places in the world. Now we are in Athens waiting for our flight to London and missing the islands already. The best thing about Ios is the ease of it all. There is nothing to see and nothing to do, no attractions or sights, ancient monuments or museums. All there is on Ios is a few beautiful beaches, fantastic people, and a great nightlife. The city is lovely as well, traditional white buildings and byzantine churches, cliffs that jut right up to the ocean, azzure water still as a swimming pool, and perfect white sand. The island almost seems to be a resort for backpackers to go to relax after travelling. Our hostel, Francesco's, had incredible people staying there and we made great friends with a bunch of Brits, a couple Aussies, and some Canadians. We had a wonderful time and I already miss them, and the island, dearly. Our days were so routine and predictable - we sleep in, go to the Ios bakery for a yummy pastry, walk the 20 minutes to the beach, come back, shower, get a gyro for dinner from Porky's (yep, they even had vegetarian ones!), and then spend the night hanging out, dancing, and watching the sun rise before heading back to bed. Yes - definatly my kind of life. One day 5 of us rented a car (a little Fiat Panda) to explore the island, saw the old monastary, Homer's tomb (possibly), and some of the more secluded beaches. Oh, and a lot of goats! All over the road, not scared of cars or the horn one bit. I also learned that British and American is not the same language one bit, I had as hard of a time understanding them as the French Canadians who were there as well, though I did learn quite a bit of British English, the slang and the accent.

Now we are in Athens, took the ferry over with our new Canadian friends and got dinner with them in Plaka, the main district of shops and restraunts, and tomorrow head to London!

Greek Isles

I only have 4 minutes on this computer, but wanted to update that we are heading to Ios, another Greek Island, this afternoon. Santorini is incredible and I really wish we could stay longer but times running short!

Santorini

No free internet here either so this must be short for now -

We arrived in Santorini this evening by ferry from Athens. We had expected the worst - a 10 hour ferry with deck seats, thinking that meant we would be hearded like cattle into rows of wooden chairs crowded onto the top of the boat. Turns out we got the royal treatment instead for our 25 euro economy class tickets! We were in a very cushy lounge with so much room that I slept on a couch for most of the trip and we had suits waitig on us and exceptional customer service and comfort. I loved it!
When we got here we were greeted by a representative from our hostel (13 euro a night for a private room and bathroom!) and they had a van take us to the very nice hostel. I had no idea Santorini would be so easy, cheap, and cushy! So far, incredibly beautiful, cant wait to see it in the daylight tomorrow! Great black sand beaches and all that youd expect from Greece - rows of white houses and lovely colors.

Unfortunatly had a little trouble getting a flight to London to get our flight home to the states but hopefully that is worked out now, maybe a little more costly than I would have liked but you do what you must!

Ciao for now
*m*

Athens

The last day in cinque terre was wonderful - went on the most amazing hike, along the coast, through fields of flowers, forrest, and tiny villages. What I thought would be an easy hour or so hike turned out to be a 4 hour really difficult hike, but so so rewarding.

It took us an entire day to travel to Greece, taking the train to Parma, a plane to Rome, then a plane to Athens. Wow, I had no idea how difficult it would be to get around! Greek is impossible to read, speak or understand and even though we're in Athens there is hardly any English. The metro is not very well laid out or marked, making it really hard to get around. Though I wasnt expecting so much difficulty and its been pretty stressful to get around, its a good experience. Though I am very excited to get to Santorini today! Its a long (about 9 hour) ferry there, but I booked the hostel last night and ferrys run pretty frequently so it should be fairly easy to get over there.

Last night we had a ridiculously delicious dinner at a nice Greek tavern - the food was incredible! I had no idea I would like Greek food so much!

5 Lands

Today we hiked through the 5 towns of cinque terre - absolutly beautiful hike and not as difficult as I had imagined

Love it, must run

ciao

Monterosso

This morning I saw every shade of blue ever imagined, watching the the ocean grow light on the shore of Monterosso, one of the five small fishing villages that make up Cinque Terre. We took the night train from Roma last night and got in around 5am, as we stepped off the train we were immediatly greated with a view of one of the most magnificent and peaceful beaches I have ever seen. Until the shops and hotels opened up at around 8am, we sat and stared at the ocean - and have done nothing more the rest of the day! An entire day of nothing but soaking up the beauty around us and trying to order food in a town where no one speaks a lick of English. Its really incredible. We are staying at the most wonderful hotel as well, it was recommended to us by some fellow backpackers and after hiking our way up to the old town we saw that it was entirely perfect, a lovely courtyard with every kind of flower and lemon trees, a beautiful cafe where they serve breakfast in the mornings, and pristine rooms with the cleanest bathrooms I have seen this whole trip! Even though the weather has been chilly and cloudy, it has still been the most wonderful day, doing absolutly nothing in paradise. Dinner was at a beautiful restraunt having gnocchi with pesto (this is where pesto was created!) overlooking the ocean. I have never been so relaxed, I love this place.

Tomorrow we attempt the 5 hour hike through the length of Cinque Terre and then take the train back tomorrow evening. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, I am very glad I bought jeans and sneakers in Rome, I heard the first section of the hike is really difficult (but sooo beautiful!)

La Vita Dolce

Last night after we got accomidations sorted out (we're staying in an apartment that The Beehive hostel rents out) and taking a night train to Cinque Terre tomorrow night. Yesterday we saw much more of Rome than we anticipated we would have time for - started at Piazza de Populo (where there was a surprise major concert going on), popped into Santa Maria de Populo, got some of Rome's finest pizza, walked through the restidental area of Rome, went to my favorite gelatoria (best moment of the day - the owner, Nicoli, remembered me and we got to catch up in our broken Italian-English mix that I miss so much!), then went to Saint Peter's Square and Basilica - i had forgotten just how amazing it is, then to Castle St Angelo and Pont St Angelo, then Piazza Novona, then the Pantheon and then the Trevi Fountain (dont worry, I tossed a coin into it to make sure I return!) with a side trip to the best gelato in Rome and probably the world, San Crispino. Very very very good day after all!

Today we got up verrry early to go to Rome's huge incredible flea market, Porta Portese (so glad we were here on a Sunday!) where for 40 euro I got an almost new pair of Dolce and Gabbana beauuuutiful shoes, a pair of sneakers (for hiking the Cinque Terre), 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of kaikis, a long skit, and a button up shirt, and a beautiful purse. For 40 euros! The D&G shoes themselves retail at over $400. Now I'm just going to have to figure out how to fit it all in my pack - yikes! :) Its a good thing I left a bunch of room in there when I packed to come over (and threw away a bunch of stuff in Nice that I realized I didnt need). Va Bene - off to spend more quality time with my favorite city!