No matter what anyone says, know that dreams do come true!
And so early in the morning I was already rushing in a bus to the airport of Thessaloniki... It was early morning on the street, I found that very dark hour before dawn, until that day I did not even know what it was. I meet the awakening rays of the southern sun, I see the morning sky shimmering with amazing shades of colors. A little more and we are at the airport. The journey took only an hour and a half. Registration, passing control - all this happened instantly. Classic duty free promenade and I'm on the plane. I'm afraid to fly. . . But not this time! I did not even feel the moment of takeoff and landing, but only enjoyed, sitting in the soft comfortable seat of the plane, the picturesque views that spread under the wings of an iron bird. Flying over the Greek islands, I imagined how the islanders live, tried to view the area from a height, mentally dived into the clouds and rushed my thoughts beyond the horizon.
Just an hour's flight and we're there. In front of me is a miracle island, a dream island, an island of lovers (to each other, to life, to the world around it - it doesn’t matter! ) - the island of Santorini! A light pleasant trembling in the body from overwhelming emotions, bright sun, sea wind, friendly people. . . We got on the bus and headed straight to the famous and incredible city of Oia. Along the way we were accompanied by the amazing history of the island. The winding paths of Santorini: up and down, and the high skill of the "navigator" of the land "ship" amazed me. Constantly changing views, landscapes and mountains, mountains, mountains... They are not the same as where my path came from - from the peninsula of Halkidiki, there are other mountains, another sea (although the name is the same - Aegean), another sky. The history of the island is, of course, fascinating. Unnoticed we ended up in the city of Oia. The first steps and under our feet are cobbled narrow streets, on both sides of which there are various local shops and galleries: original, original, unlike any others. Sometimes, you will go into one of them and find yourself in a completely different world. However, we follow further, deeper, for our wonderful guide with the magical name of Maribel. A few more meters and... Eyes opened in amazement, thoughts immediately rushed headlong somewhere ahead: right in front of us, in the middle of the blue-blue sea and huge white cruise liners soaring on the sea surface, there is a real huge active and insanely beautiful volcano! It would seem that he is very close, dangerous when waking up, but what calmness covers, contemplating him... And all the worries go somewhere far away. Complete unity with nature. Going even further, deeper into Oia, a stunning view opens up of traditional private houses, operating hotels, private areas with pools and greenery, located on the very edge of the cliffs. It seems that the line of white buildings located at different levels is endless: they go up and down. Against the backdrop of a white city with a blue expanse of the sea and a towering volcano, of course, all the people who were truly lucky enough to be there at that moment want to be photographed. Of course, I was no exception. I take out my camera: one frame, another, a third and… there are already countless amazing photos! The guide's story was interrupted for a while, giving us the opportunity to walk for an hour and a half along the branching streets on our own. As I entered the souvenir shop, I heard a ringing sound behind me. Turning around, she found that a whole string of well-fed donkeys with bells around their necks was following along the street. Smiling and choosing magnets for memory, I proceeded further. Local art galleries are truly incredible pleasure. Art always inspires, and here each creation gives off the warm breath of an artist, a master…
Here and there, there is an opportunity to see what kind of "beast" this is - the famous Vinsanto wine? An extraordinary, sweet elixir with flavors of toffee, dried fruit and caramel, it's worth trying it at least once to understand why it is considered special.
I spot incredible wedding couples posing against a colorful backdrop of the majestic volcano, the sea, and the white houses of Ii. The newlyweds tenderly look at each other, the photographer approves of the pictures, which turned out to be simply amazing!
Time flies by unnoticed. And now we are going to the next destination - in the very heart of the island, in the capital - the city of Fira (Thira). Walking on the capital land of Santorini, it seems to me that it looks like Oia, however, it still has its own differences and features. No wonder this is the only city of the island, all the rest are villages. I walk through the city, narrow streets, here and there turns left and right, stairs lead up and down. I am surrounded by a lapping sea, salty water that beats against the rocks, a nearby volcano that seems even more grandiose. And on the other side - here it is, real, original Greece with traditionally white-clad houses and blue roofs and shutters. All the roofs of the island of Santorini are sloping, it is forbidden to erect houses of other buildings on the island, thanks to which the island retains its originality, and thanks to which people from all over the world return to the island again and again. In Fira, you can easily get lost (but not get lost) and find a secluded place, despite the large number of tourists. The views are so mesmerizing that all taverns, restaurants and cafes are located in such a way that while staying in them, you can admire and relax your thoughts and soul, enjoying, for example, coffee on the outdoor terrace. There is a temple on the main walking street. I go inside and again feel the incredible calm feeling of being at home. I don’t know how long I was in the temple, but when I left there, I got a second wind and fatigue was gone.
The wind walks in my hair, the impression is that I am in some kind of movie. It's not scary to get lost! I go into one of the shops and suddenly find myself in a fairy-tale world: some unfamiliar, but insanely beautiful melodic music is playing, wooden toys around me, created for the era of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, leather-bound books, inside specially aged pages, old coins, brooches, stunning small paintings painted by the hand of a romantic artist, a large number of jewelry created from volcanic rock, from natural stones. . . I look at all the details, fascinates every object, I see that the soul is invested in every little thing. I really don’t want to leave this place, because you can walk around this city endlessly, but time moves inexorably forward, two hours have flown by, and there are still so many interesting things ahead!
The time on the clock is lunchtime, we feel a little hungry, and we rush to the other side of the island, to the foot of the mountains, to the shore of the Aegean Sea. The sun shines brightly, the sea breeze, and on our table of the local Greek tavern on the seashore, incredibly delicious dishes, snacks, salads and light wine. Dinner is top notch. But after such a day, I really want to freshen up. Things instantly fly on a deck chair, legs run along the extraordinary black volcanic sand straight into the blue sea. Another moment, and I dive into the crystal clear Aegean waters and swim... The underwater world is in full view. I emerge from the sea, turn around to face the shore and... Mountains rise in front of me. Beautiful, majestic, incredible mountains. This is the same feeling when a smile does not leave your face, and tears of happiness well up in your eyes from the realization of a dream come true! Just an incredible feeling!
I lie at the very edge of the water, enjoying the sound of the surf, the sun warms gently, the straw umbrella rustles from the light breeze, I smile and squint, looking at the sky, decorated with feather clouds. Idyll with nature, harmony with oneself. Life is Beautiful! I catch every moment, I live every minute that is here and now. I want to inhale the sea air with full breasts again and again. Suddenly I glance at the clock: I find with regret that two hours have passed, it's time...
We are going to the fourth point of our trip - to the archaeological zone of Akrotiri. Maribel's story about the city we are about to visit is exciting, but what we see on the spot is much more exciting. We go inside, and before our eyes appear... the buildings of the ancient city, which in 1500 BC. after the volcanic eruption, it was buried under 15-40 meters of volcanic dust, which has kept it in perfect condition until today! I walk through the streets of that ancient preserved city, I am surrounded, unbelievable, but true: 2-3 storey buildings, amphoras, beds! Maribel's story and imagination completes the picture and puts everything together: here is the central square, there is a place of worship, here is the dwelling of women, and here is a public building, drawings, frescoes...
And now it's time to head back. We are going to the airport, the impressions of the trip overwhelm us from the inside, the smile does not leave our faces, our eyes are fixed on the window. I try to remember everything I see. I don't want to leave the island. The day flew by unnoticed. Fatigue is completely absent. We drive up to the airport, instantly go through all the controls, a little time for shopping (where without them). By the way, the famous Santorini wine Vinsanto can also be purchased at duty free (by the way, the store is small, but it has everything basic). And here we are, together with our own wonderful Ellinair flight crew, soaring up to the clouds, saying goodbye to the island of Santorini from above, and flying back to Thessaloniki. To be honest, I dozed a little on the way back, and when I opened my eyes, the lights of Thessaloniki were already blinking in the porthole. It must be seen with your own eyes! At night, Thessaloniki opened up for me from a completely different side. Magic lights, the night sea, the embankment - and all this from a height.
Encouraged, with glowing eyes and pleasantly happy, quite a bit tired, having treated myself to snacks at the airport upon arrival, I returned to my room. It was an unforgettable inspiring day full of incredible experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
They say correctly: "Believe in miracles, because the more you believe in them, the more often they happen to you. " And remember: dream and go towards your dreams, because dreams come true! Checked.
With love in my heart to Greece and to those who gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream...
