Orino Gorge, butterfly gorge

Hiking has started :). So our first hike was this autumn in Orino Gorge, known also as butterfly gorge, since it used to be known for its red butterflies. Some people called it also Koutsouras Park Gorge or Dasaki Gorge, but I believe the Orino Gorge is the most used one. It is located 20 kilometers east of Ierapetra, before Makrigialos. It is about 2.5 hours hike roundtrip (depending naturally for your pauses) and about 5 km. GPS coordinates for the parking  are N 35°02'06" E 25°55'59" .

Santorini mix

Santorini part 8/8 mixed photos

Days in romantic Santorini are now behind and it is time for a little summary. It is very picturesque island, that is very clear, full of romantic corners. But it is very expensive if you compare it to other Greek islands. If you like to have a glass of wine with a nice sea view in Fira, normal price for an ordinary wine is 7-8 euro per glass, small beer mythos 0.33 l starting from five euro a bottle. Somewhere I saw moussaka at 18 euros! But you pay for the view. If you stay in Kamari or Perissa, it will be lighter for your wallet, more standard level like in all other Greek islands. So do not let the prices scare you, you can also visit Santorini with normal budget. My personal choice would be Kamari or Perissa, if I would come for one week holiday. They are both beach holiday destinations, but there good connections with public transport to make visits to Oia, Pyrgos, Fira or you can rent a vehicle.

Once again P-I-C-T-U-R-E-S-Q-U-E, Firostefani

Santorini part 7/8, Firostefani

Firostefani is its own village, even it is a continuation of Fira and it is perched on the cliffs of the Caldera. It was calm, some tourists wondering around like we, but we didn´t see this village at night. When we walked the small alleys, stairs up and down, it was clear we hold our breath in front of its beauty!

Time for the beach life in Kamari

Santorini part 6/8, Kamari

It was time for my friend to get herself swimming to the mediterranean sea, so we drew to Kamari.
Kamari is a cosmopolitan beach resort on the south east of Santorini, which has been awarded the Blue Flag. The long stretch of beach lies under the impressive mountain of Mesa Vouno. The water is deep and blue, the sand is black (just imagine how hot it is to walk in summer!)

Oia by sunset

Santorini part 5/8, Oia

Oia, the most famous village in Santorini and maybe the most photographed village in Greece. Don´t forget to fill your wallet when you get here! We were the only at the evening/night time, so maybe it would be worth to see it in day time too. Obviesly it is beautiful, but we felt that so many areas were strictly private, so no view for us. Exclusive shopping, private terraces, long boulevard 150 meters above sea level.

In Oia there are two types of dwellings, the cave houses dug into the volcanic rock on the Caldera cliffs, and the Captains houses. The cave houses used to be the homes of ship crews, whereas the Captains houses belonged to the affluent class of ship owners. Many of the churches in Oia were dedicated to sailors.

On the way to Akrotiri Lighthouse

Santorini Part 4/8, Akrotiri Lighthouse

The Faros (lighthouse in Greek) was manufactured in 1892 from the French company of Lighthouses. The square tower stands 10m high above the lighthouse keepers house. It first worked, on 1892 with petroleum and its luminosity was 23 n.m. During the 2nd World War, the light stayed dead, until 1945 when Hellinic Navy decided to reconstruct the lighthouse network. On 1983 the Light supplied with electric power and operated as warded until 1988 when it completely automated. It is now flashing a white light every 10 seconds and luminosity 24 n.m. The junction just before Akrotiri leads to where Faros is. The sunset viewed from the stone wall around its countryard is one of the most beautiful on the island. We did not see the sunset over there, but can just imagine it!

On the mountains, Picturesque Pyrgos

Santorini part 3/8, Pyrgos

Pyrgos can found at the highest point of Santorini, with panoramic views of the whole island all the way to the village of Oia. This hillside village was declared a protected settlement in 1995.
Pyrgos is a typical Fortress Settlement of the Cyclades. On the hilltop you can find ruins of Kasteli Castle, one of the five 'kastelia' on the island. It became the capital of Santorini after the abandonment of Skaros Castle in the mid 18th century, and before Fira, which is the capital of Santorini today. There is a memorial plaque near the entrance to the castle, commemorating those who died in the Second World War.

Visiting Exo Gialos beach

Santorini part 2/8, Exo Gialos Beach

On our way to Exo Gialos Beach We made a drive to Oia, but didn´t have a stop yet, since we wanted to go there back one evening.

Baubos in Santorini

Santorini part 1/8, Fira

I felt like going on holiday, which is kinda odd thing to say, but that is how I felt. My dear friend came from Finland to Santorini and I took a ferry from Heraklion, Crete to get there as well. How exciting! We have this thing called "Baubo" - which is a Greek Goddess of Laughter and this is how we feel always when we meet. Laugh! So I made her a little souvenir, Baubos in Santorini :)