It was awesome sleeping in this morning! Didn't get up until 10AM! Then left the hotel around 11 to visit the main square and find a supermarket to buy water. (The tap water here is drinkable, but because it's just desalinated seawater, it has a weird taste) The walk to the main square isn't too bad (about 10 min) but all the streets here are really narrow, and there are no sidewalks until you reach the town center... Also, the sun is REALLY bright here! Like, I don't think you could survive without sunglasses haha.
At the supermarket we bought water and fruits/veggies (because I haven't been getting enough veggies in my system just by eating out) and then stopped at a fast food place for gyros before heading back! The gyros pita we bought was only 2.30 euros each, and it was super tasty! (Although not as big as the ones back home) But we were super happy to have had such a cheap lunch haha.
In the afternoon, we headed to Akrotiri to visit the Red Beach. Basically, public transportation in Santorini just involves taking a local bus from Fira (the capital, where we are) to one of the other towns on the island. The buses are these big coach buses that run from Fira to ___ at specific intervals throughout the day. Then you just climb on, and the ticket collector comes to collect your money while onboard. The bus ride from Fira to Akrotiri cost 1.80 euros, took about 20 min, and on the way we were able to see some amazing views of the coastline! The bus dropped us off at Red Beach, but it was a further 15 minute walk to get to the actual beach. You could either walk along the coastline, or along a road. The red beach itself was really neat! The cliffs have a reddish-brown hue, but what I thought was the coolest was the sand itself was a mix of red and black! (The other beaches on the island are mainly black, from the volcanic rock)
The main beach area was filled with umbrellas and beach chairs for paying customers, but we opted to explore a little section that was blocked off from the main beach, that was accessible by a sloped trail. There were a lot fewer people, but it was definitely more rocky. We waded around and took pictures, and just enjoyed the not-that-cold water! (Warmest water we've seen yet) After about an hour, we headed back to the bus stop, to go back to Fira to take a bus to Oia to watch the sunset.
Once we were back in Fira, it was another coach bus to get to Oia. The fare was 1.60 euros, and also stopped at a number of smaller towns along the way. Once we got to Oia, we were a bit overwhelmed by all the small streets and the maze of white buildings. (ie: There are no street names, and almost all of the streets are pedestrian walkways) We walked around in search of good sunset viewing points, and then decided to eat dinner at a restaurant terrace to watch the sunset. Apparently all the tables at the edge of the terrace were already reserved, but we were able to get a table with a decent view of the sea. Then we slowly ate our meal as we waited for sunset. Although the actual setting of the sun is super fast (like 5 min total), it's so beautiful! The sun turns really red, and then you can literally watch it inch its way below the horizon. But camera photos don't do it justice >.<
After we left the restaurant, we went to a few spots to take pictures of the island at sunset. However, as the sunset quickly turned to night, and the sea and sky became pitch black, our photos didn't come out as nice anymore. :( But definitely planning to come back to take more shots during sunset! (And wait until later to eat haha)
On a side note, we went inside this really cute jewelry store, and Steph and I both bought a cute piece of handmade jewelry! (I bought the necklace, she a bracelet of the same design)
Then we caught the bus back to Fira at around 10:30PM, and stopped for some frozen yogurt because Steph wanted dessert. (they had mini waffles that you can put yogurt + toppings on!!) So yummy! By the time we got back to our hotel, it was around 11:30, and we were ready to crash.
At the supermarket we bought water and fruits/veggies (because I haven't been getting enough veggies in my system just by eating out) and then stopped at a fast food place for gyros before heading back! The gyros pita we bought was only 2.30 euros each, and it was super tasty! (Although not as big as the ones back home) But we were super happy to have had such a cheap lunch haha.
In the afternoon, we headed to Akrotiri to visit the Red Beach. Basically, public transportation in Santorini just involves taking a local bus from Fira (the capital, where we are) to one of the other towns on the island. The buses are these big coach buses that run from Fira to ___ at specific intervals throughout the day. Then you just climb on, and the ticket collector comes to collect your money while onboard. The bus ride from Fira to Akrotiri cost 1.80 euros, took about 20 min, and on the way we were able to see some amazing views of the coastline! The bus dropped us off at Red Beach, but it was a further 15 minute walk to get to the actual beach. You could either walk along the coastline, or along a road. The red beach itself was really neat! The cliffs have a reddish-brown hue, but what I thought was the coolest was the sand itself was a mix of red and black! (The other beaches on the island are mainly black, from the volcanic rock)
View of Red Beach from the trail; Red&Black pebbles!
The main beach area was filled with umbrellas and beach chairs for paying customers, but we opted to explore a little section that was blocked off from the main beach, that was accessible by a sloped trail. There were a lot fewer people, but it was definitely more rocky. We waded around and took pictures, and just enjoyed the not-that-cold water! (Warmest water we've seen yet) After about an hour, we headed back to the bus stop, to go back to Fira to take a bus to Oia to watch the sunset.
Once we were back in Fira, it was another coach bus to get to Oia. The fare was 1.60 euros, and also stopped at a number of smaller towns along the way. Once we got to Oia, we were a bit overwhelmed by all the small streets and the maze of white buildings. (ie: There are no street names, and almost all of the streets are pedestrian walkways) We walked around in search of good sunset viewing points, and then decided to eat dinner at a restaurant terrace to watch the sunset. Apparently all the tables at the edge of the terrace were already reserved, but we were able to get a table with a decent view of the sea. Then we slowly ate our meal as we waited for sunset. Although the actual setting of the sun is super fast (like 5 min total), it's so beautiful! The sun turns really red, and then you can literally watch it inch its way below the horizon. But camera photos don't do it justice >.<
Amazing views!
Right before the sun started setting!
After we left the restaurant, we went to a few spots to take pictures of the island at sunset. However, as the sunset quickly turned to night, and the sea and sky became pitch black, our photos didn't come out as nice anymore. :( But definitely planning to come back to take more shots during sunset! (And wait until later to eat haha)
Oia at night!
On a side note, we went inside this really cute jewelry store, and Steph and I both bought a cute piece of handmade jewelry! (I bought the necklace, she a bracelet of the same design)
Loved this delicate necklace!
Then we caught the bus back to Fira at around 10:30PM, and stopped for some frozen yogurt because Steph wanted dessert. (they had mini waffles that you can put yogurt + toppings on!!) So yummy! By the time we got back to our hotel, it was around 11:30, and we were ready to crash.
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