Santorini: Day 4

                After our food coma from day 3, we decided to do something a bit more active for Day 4. To get better acquainted with the island and its rich history, we booked a boat tour and volcano hike. We boarded the bus early in the morning and made our way down the side of the mountain. Those twenty minutes were the longest of my life. As I’m sure that the bus drivers do this drive numerous times a day; there’s nothing like driving head on to a cliff and taking a sharp turn to continue down a winding road, thousands of feet to the port. Obviously, we survived but there were moments of doubt.

{ You can understand my pain }

                Afroditi, a beautiful handcrafted sailboat provided by Santorini Sea Excursions, navigated the waters that day. Our itinerary included a volcano hike and tour on Nea Kameni (New Rock), swimming in the geothermal springs of Palia Kameni (Old Rock), dinner and watching the sun set over Oia in open waters.  A recipe for a perfect day- as long as the ocean and weather cooperated, it could be heaven.

{ Starting our day on the boat }

{ My captain }

                Here’s a bit of history for you. The group of islands that today are called Santorini, used to be one large island by the name of Strongyli (rounded). A prosperous civilization once inhabited the island, but was destroyed after the fatal eruption of 1630 BC; also considered to be the reason the Minoan civilization on Crete was wiped out. The set of islands, Thira, Thirasia and Aspronisi, are what is left after the eruptions. Nea Kameni and Palia Kameni, the two islands we visited, are the peaks of the underwater volcanoes. They are considered to be dormant currently; however the last major eruption was only 62 years ago, in 1950. Comforting.

                We hiked uphill for a good hour on this black “island”. Other than a mass of yellow flowers growing on the side of the mountain, the land was covered with lava rocks. After much complaining, on my part, we finally reached the top. We were greeted by a tour guide and a miraculous view. Life had become simple at that very moment- there was the sky, the ocean and a strong breeze, the same wind that had blown for centuries. We stood at the center of ancient civilization and were surrounded by natural beauty. It was breathtaking.

{ Lava rocks }

{ Yellow foliage }

{ Finally made it to the top- look at that view }

                After making it downhill, without killing ourselves, we jumped on the boat and headed over to the other “island” for a swim in the sulfur springs. I must say, the water, a rusty orange and rotten smelling, was not inviting. We nevertheless made our way into the thermal springs; known to be good for the skin and soothing any ailments. A short swim later, it was dinner time and we anchored in the middle of the ocean to eat a delicious home-cooked meal: Greek village salad, chicken with lemon, olive oil and oregano, potatoes and wine. The water was choppy but we managed to enjoy our dinner and our company.

{ The sulfur thermal springs }

{ The view at dinner- see the different colors in the rock? }

{ Yes, I’m madly in love with my husband }

{ The waves that day }

                We positioned ourselves perfectly and awaited the sunset, considered to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. As we waited, Petar got out a piece of paper and a small blue box…  He was going to propose, officially.

                *Side note: Petar and I had been married six months, and as we all know, life doesn’t always go according to plan. There were circumstances that didn’t allow us to fully enjoy and take our time with the engagement process and wedding. We had a civil service and a small dinner for our closest family and friends. Blissfully in love, I knew that in order to have this man in my life, as my husband, I would have to forego all of the big wedding plans and I was absolutely ok with that. But there is something, about a man asking a woman to be his wife; to spend the rest of her days with him, in love. And so, I finally got my proposal.

                Petar wrote his thoughts, in English and revealed his purest feelings to me, as the sun began to set over the Mediterranean. I was giddy, emotional and butterflies had found their way to my stomach. It was raw, no embellishments or fancy wording: it was just, real. It was Petar. He slipped the ring on my finger and nothing had changed. I was still his wife, madly in love and excited for our future together…just as I had been six months ago, when I said “I, do”.

{ Right before the propsoal }

{ Celebrating together a life full of love }

                Surrounded by the man I love and his wonderful family, in a place where my ancestors once called home- I felt as though my past and future collided to create this beautifully perfect, present moment. And these moments are what make life worth living for.

{ Celebrating, again }