Greece: Folegandros

We woke up bright and early so that we could catch the ferry to our second island destination:  Folegandros.  The ferries are known for following 'Greek time', which may or may not be the time printed on your ticket.  Not wanting to miss the ferry, we ordered a cab early in the morning to get to the port way ahead of time.

Since we flew into Santorini, we had not been down to the port yet, and the cab ride there made me never want to do so again.  Santorini drivers are known for taking the steep, winding roads at high speeds, but I seriously thought this guy trying to kill us.  We spent most of the time barreling down 20% inclines on the wrong side of the road.  I was so traumatized I failed to take a single picture until we safely made it to Folegandros.

Safe at sea

September is the low season on the islands, so we ended up getting a great deal at a resort just outside Folegandros' capital city of Hora.  This place was a-mazing, check it out.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween all!  Since we live in a high rise with approximately zero children around, we are being lame and not passing out candy or dressing up.  But that won't stop me from sharing one of my favorite pictures of Halloween past.

Me and my big brother-points if you can guess what we are!

This week started off kind of crazy with hurricane Sandy barreling down on the east coast, but we were lucky that we maintained power, despite some pretty intense winds.  Given what residents in New York and New Jersey are dealing with, we feel very fortunate to come out of the storm unscathed.

Hope you had a wonderful halloween!

Greece: Ancient Akrotiri & Perissa Beach

We decided that we wanted to spend our last day on Santorini riding around in style, so we rented a four wheeler for the day.  We actually wanted to rent a moped, but neither of us have a current motorcycle license and neither of us were smart enough to just lie about it, so we ended up with this festive four wheeler.

Badass, for sure.

Our first stop was ancient Akrotiri, an archeological site of a Minoan (3000-1100 BC) civilization on Santorini.  The town was simultaneously decimated and preserved in approximately 1450 BC when a volcano erupted, burying the town (I believe the same volcano gave Santorini its crescent shape and drastic bluffs).  Although Akrotiri is widely known as Santorini's Pompeii, no bodies have been found in the ash, leading historians to believe that the residents had ample warning of the volcano's eruption.  

Ancient Akrotiri remained undiscovered until 1860, when quarry workers found buildings while removing ash for construction of the Suez Canal.  Excavations of the town, however, did not begin until much later in 1967.  After the protective roof over the site collapsed in 2005, the site was shut down to the public until April 2012.  We considered ourselves lucky to be able to experience this historic part of Santorini.

Friday Favorites

I'm back for another installment of things that are piquing my interest this week.

Lightroom 4

B&H Photo

I downloaded a free trial of Lightroom 4 because I read so many positive reviews of it online and I wanted something fast and easy to edit the numerous pictures we've taken on recent vacations.  I normally edit every photo in Photoshop, which I have had for several years, but it can be such a chore.  Once I figured out a few tricks in Lightroom, I was in love.  It can really do wonders for your photos with just a few easy tweaks.  I only have a few days left on my thirty day trial, and I'm hoping I can find a way to justify purchasing the software so I can use it from now on.

Greek Yogurt 

Via Serious Eats

We ate Greek yogurt (with honey) daily in Greece and it has been my mission since returning to the states to find something that tastes half as good as what we ate on our trip.  So far I have tried Fage, Oikos, Greek Gods, Chobani, and some brand called Siggi.

I am sad to admit, but I don't think the yogurt here will ever taste the same as the yogurt in Greece.  The 'Greek' yogurt here is made from cow's milk whereas real Greek yogurt is made from goat milk.  I told Brian that the only solution is to buy a goat so that we can start making our own yogurt and cheese.  Goat names are welcome in the comments.

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

Taste of Country

I can hear my husband letting out a frustrated sigh as he reads this already (he is not a fan of Miss Swift).  I listened to this song once last night on Spotify and I woke up with it in my head.  The lyrics are far from groundbreaking or sophisticated (excessive use of the word like is just infuriating), but damn if Taylor doesn't make some catchy songs.

Walking Dead

Wikipedia

We don't have cable, so Brian and I just caught up on Season 2 this week.  This show gives me nightmares, but I can't seem to stop watching it.  I find myself rooting for the zombies when the characters do something totally stupid (I'm just going to go walk in the woods without telling anyone for fun!), but I still love Rick and Daryl.


Your turn, what are you loving this week?

*for the record, I'm not getting paid to endorse any of these things, but I wish I were.

Greece: Oia, Baxedes Beach & The Most Beautiful Sunset in the World*

*According to our guidebook

Before I get to the good stuff, I need to educate you a bit on Santorini geography.  I promise, this lesson has a purpose, I'm not just trying to bore you.

Thanks for the map, google

So, we stayed in Fira, which is roughly in the middle of the island on the left coast.  We wanted to spend our day in Oia, concluding the day with a spectacular sunset for which Oia is famous.  Our guidebook suggested that the footpath from Fira to Oia is 'enjoyable'.  You can read my opinion of the walk in a bit.