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31 January 2011

Santorini I Love You

Santorini, Greece is one of the most romantic places on Earth. Suffice it to say I have been there four times with four different lovers. Okay, so I'm dreaming, but it did put a smile on your face, didn't it.

Santorini, or Thera, or Thira—why does every Greek word have three spellings?—is a favourite location for European honeymooners, no matter what your age. If you're my age you'd better get those legs in shape for all those steps on the side of the caldera.

The definition of 'caldera' is a large crater formed by volcanic explosion or by collapse of a volcanic cone. But to me, caldera means one friggin steep mountain side. Santorini is reported to be a section of the sunken, mythological Atlantis, thus the resemblance to the sides of a volcano. [Visit Akrotiri's archeological dig.]

I used to be able to romp down the steps to the bottom of the caldera, swim across to the little island off the coast of Oia (Ia), climb up to the little chapel and ring the bell. Then go all the way back, swimming across, huffing and puffing up the steps to the top. There is absolutely no way I would try that now. Only in my dreams as I sit on the hotel's deck overlooking an amazing turquoise sea, grateful to breathe in the winds off the volcano.

My friend Flora and her family own The Flower Hotel in Oia (Finikia) at the northern tip of Santorini. The website says: "The Flower is located in the beautiful village of Ia, with a splendid view of the Aegean Sea and the islands of Ios, Sikinos and Folegandros. The Flower is a family oriented establishment with a warm, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by a wonderful garden."

I agree. It's a wonderful hotel with clean rooms, a swimming pool, and breakfast included. It's only a five minute walk into the little town of Oia/Ia with its artistic shops, jewellery stores, restaurants and bars, blue-dome churches, marble streets, and white cave homes. I love to walk along the sundrenched streets toward the windmill just before sunset. Buses from all over the island come to Oia to watch sunset. Tourists scramble over the flat roofs of people's cave homes to find their special spot—the Greek owners don't seem to mind and if they do you never hear about it. You see, its tourist season and tourists are their main income. No one wants to rock the boat.

Every year the Greek business taxes go up. Every year I hear how the Greek store owners have to work longer hours, now 24/7 to make ends meet; from May until the end of November when the last of the cruise ships stop arriving. So by the time the autumn winds blows in off the ocean my friends at The Flower Hotel are exhausted, and yet, they will always smile and welcome old friends who return annually.

October is cooler but less touristy. My favourite time of year to visit Santorini or any of the Greek Islands is May-June, springtime. Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines fly all over Greece; or take one of the many ferries and island-hop. But stop long enough in one place to hear the cicadas singing in the evening and watch the sunsets turn brilliant pinks over the turquoise sea.

INFORMATION: The Flower Hotel, Oia, Santorini Island, GREECE - Tel. & Fax +30 2286071130 - Mobile: +30 6944976016 - info@flower-santorini.com; www.flower-santorini.com

—M. J. Milne
(Photo of Santorini by M. J. Milne; Copyright © 2011 M. J. Milne)

TO GO OR LET GO

Traveling is an adventure where the destination is not the journey. It's all about enjoying the journey. But how do we choose our travel destinations? Is it because there's a flight sale, or a particular tour; perhaps it holds a special meaning for us, or you have a preference for a certain area of the world? Or does the place choose us?  

A friend has decided that she wants to travel to all the Wonders of the World. What are they? To my friend's way of thinking they include The Great Pyramid of Giza; Temple of Artemis (Ephesus, Turkey); Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy); Eiffel Tower (France); Taj Mahal (India); ruins of Petra (Jordan); Alhambra (Spain); stone sculptures of Easter Island; Michelangelo's David (Italy); Mont-Saint-Michel (France); Mayan pyramids (Mexico & Guatemala); and Machu Picchu (Peru). Of course, there are many more.…

Which Wonders of the World are on your Bucket List?

My friend has been to five on her list already. But this year she decided on the Egyptian Pyramids and the Jordanian ruins at Petra, both are World Heritage Sites. So she booked a tour to Egypt/Jordan for September through Peregrine Adventures. And then the country started a revolution! [The two are not related ;o)]

So what should she do? Wait and see what will happen by September and still go? Or cancel her trip altogether? The revolution and riots are in full swing and the Canadian government has told tourists to leave the country immediately. What would you do?

I was in a similar predicament; however, I was already in the country! In 1974 Greece erupted in a coup d'état. I was sitting at a café in Syntagma or Constitution Square when the army from the north drove their tanks and jeeps into Athens and, then, walked up the steps of the Parliament Buildings, and peacefully took over the government.

The citizens of Athens were ecstatic because for twenty years they had lived under a suppressive dictatorship. The President was ousted and the people rejoiced. Syntagma Square exploded into a wild party. Men took off their shirts in public for the first time in 20 years—it had been illegal. Musicians started to play the Bouzouki in public—it had been illegal to play it for 20 years. Melina Mercouri (Μελίνα Μερκούρη), the famous Greek female actor in such films as 'Never on Sunday,' had been a political exile for ten years. Mercouri returned the following day and waved from the balcony of the Hotel Grande Bretagne. The Greeks were ecstatic. She later became the Greek Minister of Culture. For a few moments in history, these modern day Greeks had experienced freedom.

So will the Egyptian military turn and side with the people and perform a coup d'état? Possibly. 

And will my friend get to see the Pyramids?

"Not this year," she said. I think it's a wise choice, don't you?

Traveling is a pilgrimage within to grow the garden of the soul. It stretches us and teaches us great lessons of life. Only we can decide whether to go or to let go.

—M. J. Milne
(Photo of David by M. J. Milne; Copyright© 2011 M. J. Milne)

24 January 2011

Travel Tip: Don't wait on 'HOLD' with a portable phone while booking flights.
I've never used air mile points to book flights before. Have you? What a test in patience! I waited forty minutes on the portable phone for someone to answer. As soon as the service rep finally came on, my phone died. Ha. Is this a message? Am I supposed to go on holidays? Yes, but not that flight I was about to book. Ah, the ways of spirit are endless---my inner guides are protecting me.
Where to go on my holidays? Greece or Italy? Couldn't make up my mind, so I'm going to both. Visiting Greece again after 15 years came as a total surprise to me. So I will go to visit my friend Perry in Greece and give the country my tourist dollars--they can use them, or so I'm told. And then off to Italy for a friend's 50th birthday at a villa. 21 days of travel. 
Stay tuned, I'll be blogging about it here: http://olderwiserladies.blogspot.com/
~MJM ;O)
Author of "12 Golden Keys for a New World" at www.12GoldenKeys.com