Oia, Santorini - a corner of heaven - 10.06.2010

Santorini is simply beautiful. It's different from anything I've seen so far. I spent here 4 days.
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In Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia (the Caldera side) there is no beach. Santorini is not famous from the beach (which is rocky, most of it) but for the view of the volcano and cliff. The hotels are built on the edge of the cliff and they seem to darely defy the gravity.
Fira is sought for the animation. It’s the only area in the island where the discos and bar are open till 2-3am. In other villages the bars close at midnight in order not to disturb the tourists in the hotels nearby.
In Oia the noise starts after lunch, when the busses full of tourists arrived on island for a one day tour arrive here. There are many shops, tavernas, bars. When the sun is ready to set, hundreds of cameras take their places. Sunset in Oia is ok, but there are too many people there. Try instead the sunset in Fira or Firostefani. From these villages it seems that the volcano swallows the sun. It’s really amazing.
In Firostefani and Imerovigli silence rules. It’s so much silence that when walking on streets you don’t dare to speak loudly. They are a labyrinth of streets. You have no idea where they lead you. But why would you want to know? You simply follow them towards the cliff or in the yard of a blue roofed church. There are tavernas everywhere, but they are part of the paining. Small tables, discreet waiters, fresh sea food and cold and tasty local wine. A true corner of heaven.
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The following photos were taken in Oia.
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Central square

Souvenirs
The cliff. and Imerovigli on the other side









A hotel. Most the the buildings on this side of the cliff are hotels.




A narrow street
The end of Oia. And also the end of the island.



Almost sunset and the famous mills









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There's more to come. The Volcano, the sunset... come back soon :)
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