Beating the streets in Fira, Santorini

Mesuem Fresco of Papyrus Flowers from Theran Culture

Dora, chef from the Olive Tree in Fira

Sophia's name day flowers

Evangelia and Matina at Drakkar boutique

I went to Fira and Oia yesterday, hoping to find another level of connection to Santorini and after I tried really hard, I felt a little something in Fira!!

There is a little designer shop called Drakkar, where we met Evangelia and Martina. We were in there 3 times within a few hours!!They have beautiful clothes and my friend Laurie bought a great Italian dress with a stunning belt! I chatted it up and asked for some water and was given a Coke light!! I ended up buying a beautiful Italian scarf that I really liked.

I showed them a picture of Dora, the cook at Olive Tree Taverna across from them, where they often get carry out. The food there was excellent! Service friendly too.

They had gotten flowers at Drakkar after we returned from lunch and I asked about them. It was Martina's sister 'name day', which is celebrated in Greece so she sent them over for the shop to enjoy.We also went to the museum which is small (cost 3 EUR) but really worth seeing. It is full of artifacts from the ancient Therans. I remembered so many of the things from studying History of Art at Ohio State University so it had extra meaning.

All of Fira is very touristy and full of small shops, some nice.

Fira, Santorini Rating

COMMUNITY * * * ( only this high because of Evangelia nad Martina)

Food Waste Reduction * * * * ( resonable size p0rtions)

SANTORINI

Kourus Village Cat

Fresh fish at Veggera

My Greek salad at Veggera

Very friendly Lauren at Kourus Village,Perissa

Santorini to me so far is like a beautiful person on the outside with no heart or soul on the inside! Although I am patient and trying to find a glimpse of the heart of Santorini. Everybody told my friend Laurie she had to come here because it was "so beautiful...."

I have been here 2 1/2 days ( an eternity) and there have been very slight bright spots. Lauren, the beautiful and friendly receptionist at the hotel is from the USA and used to live in Angel Fire, New Mexico which is about 15-20 minutes from where I used to live in Taos, New Mexico ( give or take a few)! She shared her views of living in this culture with me.

Another nice moment was going into a bakery because the donuts were so beautiful ( and HUGE!!)from the window and the owner giving us a little bread stick in friendship.

The food has been good at the hotel ( an incredible breakfast buffet) and at a local restaurant, Veggera. Small portions, minimal food waste. Healthy choices.

Oh yes, I am staying at the 4 star Kouros Village, which is beautiful and perfect in every way, but again it stops there. The cats don't interact with you here either!!

Otherwise, I have not found this island to be the "Community in the Road" experience I want to help my readers find..... Let's hope for better news later, I am going to Fira and Oia today.

SANTORINI RATING

COMMUNITY * *

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * *

Leaving Crete, Aptera Beach Family for Santorini

Mylos ( on the left of course!)

Christos, loves to fish late at night

Carmen

Dimitri

Goodbye to all of the wonderful friends at Aptera Beach Hotel in Crete, I will miss everybody and hope to go back for a month next time like a lot of people do because it is just like family!!

I am off to Santorini.

Goodbye, Dimitri, our wonderful waiter, Carmen our cook, Christos ( the owner who I promise to get a picture of next time I go!!, he is really sweet) and Christos my friend from Athens who will move to Aptera Beach Hotel for a full year!! and to Klara( from Hungry, who might let me take her picture next time!!) And to Mylos ( the cat), who made me love him the most out of all the others! I hope the picture I put up of him captures his intense spirit....

CRETE AND APTERA BEACH HOTEL RATING

COMMUNITY * * * * * +

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * *

BEST TZATZIKI, DOLMATHES, AND SAGANAKI IN CRETE!!

If you go to Crete, you have to stay at the Aptera Beach Hotel for many reasons... The food is one of them. This is truly the best tzatziki and Domathes I have ever had!! The grape leaves on the Domathes were so tastey. ( I have eaten hundreds of samples all over the world and these are truly the best, so far!)

We shared all three of these dishes and of course they do not mind! Tomorrow I think I will eat the same thing!!

"EVERYBODY EATS" IN TOWN OF KNOSSOS, CRETE!!

Throne room at the Palace of Knossos

vessels at the Palace of Knossos

Palace of Knossos

The gifted fig

Fig woman

Today we travelled by bus to see the Palace of Knossos, the famous Minoan settlement. I was fascinate when I studied this civilization close to 30 some years ago at Ohio State so it was extra special to actually be able to go there.

On the way, we got off the bus about a mile too soon. I was a bit cranky about that, but started walking towards the area. We passed the very small town of Knossos and then this little old lady that was sitting at the front of her property under an arbor of grape leaves selling fresh figs for 3 EUR a kilo. I picked out a nice big fig and tried to ask her how much and she said FREE!!!! FREE!!! in her Greek accent. I tried to give her .20EUR coin at least but she refused. She wanted me to have it. I asked to take a picture of her and she agreed. I will never complain getting off at the wrong bus stop again ( I hope!) This was one of the most memorable moments of the whole trip so far.

The Palace of Knossos itself is a must see if you are a Minoan buff, if not I would spend an extra day at the beach!

COMMUNITY OF KNOSSOS RATING

COMMUNITY * * * * * ( due to the fig ambassador)

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * * ( same reason)

(based on a * - * * * * * star rating system)

ARRIVING IN CRETE and staying at the Aptera Beach Hotel

Niki, my first friend in Crete

Cristos, my second friend !

Our beach at Aptera Beach Hotel

A flower I saw as I walked from the bus to the hotel

Crete is wonderful. It is modern yet quaint. The people are very friendly. We landed at the airport and saved 25 EUR by taking the local bus #6 and getting off at Dolphin Bay and walking a short distance to Aptera Beach Hotel. I met my first friend on the bus, Niki who speaks English and Greek and is aspiring to learn French. She even acted as translator for me during the ride with some other passengers. I gave her my card so I hope she keeps in touch.

The hotel is right on a secluded beach and I HIGHLY recommend it. The price is very reasonable and the owner very accommodating and friendly. In fact everyone that I have met here so far comes for a month at a time every year. It like an extended family here. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant and beach tavern so you do not have to leave for anything. The rooms are clean and have balconies. Already I want to come back or never leave!!!

The food is very good here and they do not mind if you split meals or order one thing at a time so you won't waste food.

APTERA BEACH HOTEL RATING

COMMUNITY * * * * * due to the warm sense of family you feel

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * * they feed stray cats too!!

(based on a * - * * * * * star rating system)

EATING OUT IN THE ACROPOLIS AREA

Fruit cart in the Plaza/Flea Market area

Gallery cafe near the Acropolis

unch at the Gallery cafe beet salad and my Creten salad

Menu from the Evxapic

Outside view or the Evxapis, good food and service

All of the restaurants are geared for tourists close to the Acropolis, but they are not too expensive. Everyone I went to was good.The wait staff is paid a better wage so they work together for better service and do not dote over you.

The one thing that I found strange is that they great you with a basket of bread and olive dip and then you end up getting charged for it. Usually 1 EUR person!! I embarrassed my friend Laurie when I asked about the charge and then pushed a little about them not even ASKING if I wanted it in the first place!!! The fist restaurant that did this EVXAPIS, offered to take it off of the bill, but I just chalked it up to a cultural difference.

I would really recommend any of the restaurants. The menus are identical. They are laid back and even let the cats eat from your table.

The portions in Greece are good amounts but not too large to cause you to overeat or to waste food. Bravo!!

RESTAURANT RATING IN THE ACROPOLIS AREA

COMMUNITY unrated


FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * *

(based on a * _ * * * * * star rating system)