Greece - Final Thoughts

So that was our 8 day trip through Greece.  The country is incredible.  Jenny and I really enjoy it.  The people are some of the friendliest in Europe, the climate is warm and sunny, the food is good, and the scenery is spectacular.  The kids didn't know what to expect before we got there, but at the end of the trip they were sad to leave.  They said it was one of their favorite trips in Europe.  The ironic thing is we had less language issues in Greece than we do in Switzerland.  In Greece, English is the official "2nd language."  It seemed like everyone spoke it, and spoke it well.  We learned how to say "hello" and "thank you" in Greek, but overall the greeks don't mind speaking English, which makes things easy for us.  It was so great to take the kids to such an amazing place.  We've been here almost 2 1/2 years now and I still can't believe sometimes some of the things Ben and Megan are doing and seeing.  Anyway, we had an awesome time.  Hopefully we'll all be back someday.

Greece - Day 8

On our last day on the island we walked through the village of Oia, which is where most of the "blue dome" buildings are.  Oia (pronounced "ee-ah") is incredibly scenic and picturesque.  Everywhere you look it's like a scene out of a postcard.  After lunch Ben and I had an "afternoon of adventure."  We took a boat over to the volcano and hiked up to the summit.  At the top you can look down into the empty crater and you can even smell a little sulphur.  Ben thought it was really cool.  Afterwards we took the boat back to the island, where we had to find a way to get back up the cliff back to the village.  Ben noticed some donkey rides to the top, so he wanted to try it.  It was crazy.  Ben did a great job and really enjoyed it.  Then we capped off the day with another spectacular sunset, and then the kids talked Jenny into getting her own "fish pedicure."  Like I said, the kids were fascinated.  Then after some stargazing it was time to call it a day...and a vacation.

Greece - Day 7

On our first full day on Santorini we rented a car and drove south to "Red Beach."  I say "car," but it was more like a "rent-a-wreck."  (I miss driving American cars.)  Anyway, getting back to "Red Beach."  Much of the soil on the island is volcanic, so that's the reason for "Red Beach's" red soil.  Nearby are the ruins of Akrotiri.  The ancient village was part of the Minoan culture from Crete, and today it's a major archaeological site. The village was abandoned, and then covered with volcanic ash.  It's a really interesting site.  Some say the village even inspired the legend of Atlantis.  After that we drove to Perissa, where we had lunch and the kids got to play on the beach.  You'll notice in the pictures all the black sand, which is also from all the volcanic soil.  It's nice to lay on because the black sand absorbs the sun's heat.  It's like laying on a big heating pad.  Then finally the day ended with me getting a pedicure (something I've never done in my life.)  The kids wanted me to try the "fish pedicure," which is where you stick your feet in a tank and the fish inside eat the dead skin off your feet.  It was crazy, but the kids got a kick out of watching me squirm.