Our three nights on Santorini were a mixed bag. It is the Greek island that is marketed so well. Pictures of the blue domes overlooking the Aegean Sea are on nearly every travel magazine, website, book, etc. While the island is picturesque, I found the island to be dry, expensive, and flooded with tourists. For me, the best part was the six mile hike between Fira and Oia which we encountered very few people.
We left for the Greek island of Rhodes on a Monday afternoon. Since there were no direct flights, we flew from Santorini to Athens, and then Athens to Rhodes. Again, instead of vaccination, we showed airlines staff proof that we had COVID within the past 180 days. We arrived at the Sheraton hotel late around 9:00 p.m. due to a mixup with the transport company.
Since the Sheraton was a beach resort, we planned to spend more time relaxing and a bit less time sightseeing.
In the video, the land across the Aegean Sea is Turkey. First time I’ve seen it.
Relaxing on the beach and doing nothing for a few days is unusual for us, or at least for Rebecca. I’m used to doing nothing at home. But seriously, we’re starting to work in more time just resting.
Rebecca spotted one woman sunbathing topless but I missed it so there is no picture. On this side of the island the waves were small. I don’t know why people do it, but legs, feet, sand, and ocean seem to fit in one picture. These aren’t my legs.
The restaurants have been fantastic. I keep ordering moussaka over and over. The Greeks give you a complimentary dessert after each meal. Of course, there are the usual European idiosyncrasies at restaurants. They often bring you bread and bottled water without requesting. If you touch it you pay. They don’t care how long you sit at dinner and don’t care how lone people have to wait to get a table. They don’t hurry you along and you have to basically beg for the bill.
And it’s not been terribly expensive. I’m surprised you get a huge order of grilled Sea Bass for $13 to $16. I don’t think I’ve seen it for less than $30 in Texas. Also, they usually bring the machine to swipe your credit card right to your table, and rarely is there an opportunity to put the tip on the credit card.
