The charm of Santorini is based on its interesting architecture, the color of its buildings, the way homes and shops work their down the steep cliffs, and the sparking waters of the Aegean Sea.
There are a number of attractive islands in the Mediterranean and the Greek island of Santorini is a jewel among them— so much so that I found I couldn’t limit myself to one Wednesday’s worth of photos. And this is after I cut the number in half that I had picked out! Peggy and I were lucky to visit the island in November, after the crowds of tourists had left for the season. We wandered around to our hearts content. My only problem: It wasn’t long enough.
Built on a circular archipelago, Santorini perches on the remains of a volcanic caldera. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
This photo provides a perspective on just how steep the cliffs are. Stairs are the only way to get up and down to the homes, businesses and chapels built into the cliffs and stacked on top of each other.
The stairs can be quite beautiful and graceful as this photo attests to.
An interesting aspect of the steepness and lack of roads is that mules have to be recruited to serve as dump trucks for construction work. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
These loads are heavy. I learned that it is important to get out of the way. The mules do not brake for tourists!
Another view of buildings working their way down the cliff. Note the tan chapel in the upper left hand corner.
An arch provided a great way to frame the chapel, seen here under dramatic skies. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
The sun came out to bathe the church in this photo I took. The colors of the buildings and the quality of Mediterranean light make Santorini a photographer’s dream.
Another chapel that I found intriguing. The rocks in front added a surreal quality.
From the back.
Looking down on the Aegean Sea and the Caldera, Peggy caught an interesting view of the unique, rounded roof tops. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
And I added my own interpretation.
I felt this steeple and bell made for a rather dramatic photo.
I’ll conclude with this church that added a salmon colored bell tower. There will be more Santorini photos next Wednesday! (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
FRIDAY’S POST: Join me for another chapter in my book on MisAdventures as I discover that a Graveyard can make a wonderful place to play, as long as you avoid the ghosts.
MONDAY’S POST: Peggy and I head north along the Pacific Coast into Washington and visit Forks, the town where the vampires and werewolves roamed in the movie Twilight, which Peggy has made me watch 3142 times, or something like that.
WEDNESDAY’S POST: Santorini: Mediterranean Jewel— Part 2. Another post in my Wednesday photo series.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Amazing, like the rest of the Cyclades islands.
I would love to have a few months to wander between the Cyclades, Bojana. Thanks. –Curt
Me too. Seen a lot so far. Sporades and Dodecanese and pretty amazing too, Crete being by far my favorite one so far.
You got some really wonderful photos to do the rather special island justice.
Much appreciated, coming from you AC, knowing that you are a regular visitor to the islands. –Curt
Great photos and no hoard of tourists everywhere in them.
Thanks, Ray. It is hard for me to imagine several thousand people more on the island, but that’s the way it is day in and day out during tourist season. Traveling off-season is definitely the way to go! –Curt
Yes photo series
On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 7:11 AM Wandering through Time and Place wrote:
> Curt Mekemson posted: ” There are a number of attractive islands in > the Mediterranean and the Greek island of Santorini is a jewel among them— > so much so that I found I couldn’t limit myself to one Wednesday’s worth of > photos. And this is after I cut the number” >
Thanks, Kioka.
Calling Kioka
Yes or Friday I will come over and see
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Sounds like lots of love. 🙂
Great shots! We did not take any photos of the mules, rather was careful to avoid the little plops left behind by them!
Thanks, Suan. Mules and horses definitely add their contributions. I was even more concerned about one sipping on my foot. 🙂 –Curt
Amazing Greek islands!
If you have the chance visit also the mainland of Greece for some other greatness
I’ve been to Athens a couple of times over the years, and I’ve certainly found much of interest and beauty there, but I really should see the rest of Greece. Thanks much. –Curt
It is so perfect that it does not look real. Amazing pictures!
Thanks, Rebel Girl. We were there on a perfect day, but I seriously doubt that there could be a day that wouldn’t provide beautiful photos. –Curt
Your photos are just wonderful and you have chosen such wonders.
Your commentary is great too. Santorini is wonderful and yes the light there and on many Greek islands just make you want to stay.
Miriam
Thanks so much, Miriam. We quickly discovered that there was beauty regardless of which way we turned. –Curt
I have been to Santorini several times, it certainly is picturesque and your photos show it off wonderfully. As you might guess I have a photo album which is almost identical,.
Sadly I thing Santorini has been spoilt, it has become too greedy for the cruise ships and several arrive every day and spew thousands of people into the narrow streets. Mykonos is the same in the summer there can be 6,000 visitors which doubles the summer population of the town. It doubles the prices as well and these popular islands have become expensive.
Our rule now is not to visit Greek islands with airports or cruise ship docking facilities.
In the Colossus of Rhodes, Henry Miller wrote prophetically: “I began to get the feel of it, what Greece was, what it had been, what it will always be even with the misfortune of being overrun by tourists.”
Curt, these photos are gorgeous! I’d love to visit this beautiful spot on Earth but I may have to settle for finding that color blue….
:).
I have viewed many photos of Santorini but none as beautiful as yours and Peggy’s. Stunning.
Well, thanks, Gerard! The weather was cooperative and the island more or less tourist free. It’s hard not to take beautiful photos there. –Curt
I signed on when you were visiting Hawthorne, Nevada. Now you are dragging me out of my comfort zone to islands in strange places. I like it! Of course it is not the Uintah’s, my home mountain range but it is colorful, Yeah, I like it…
Glad to have you along, Bradley. Nothing shabby about the Unitah’s! I haven’t backpacked them but they look beautiful. I found nearby Dinosaur National monument special. The Hawthorne post has generated a lot of views. –Curt
Wonderful photos from you both. I’ve longed to visit Santorini for many years. I’ll get there eventually!
Alison
Hard to believe that you and Don haven’t made it there, Alison! 🙂 Thanks. –Curt
I know! Neither of us has ever been to Greece! It’s on the list.
I have nothing but respect for people that leave that comfort zone and go places. I have never felt the desire, when I came out of High School in 1970, they wanted me to visit exotic places and shoot at people I had nothing against.Soon I was 21 and married then a child and it just became so difficult to do anything but work. so now at 65, I fully intend to visit Scotland. There are published and working on it writers on this thing Curt,
Good for you, Bradly. Scotland is beautiful, and, given your name, I suspect you will be looking for some ancestors. Much as I did! –Curt
Breathtaking pictures! Especially, the framing arch and the bell at sea.
Both the arch and bell provided interesting perspectives, and I felt added to the beauty of the area, Adia. Thanks. –Curt
Indeed and Welcome, Curt! I’m Vandana but I love making up words like think+ink+arcadia;)
Thanks, Vandana. Now I know what to call you. 🙂 I got the “think ink” but missed on the arcadia. Does this place you along the west shore of Nova Scotia? Or am I wrong there as well. (grin) –Curt
Sorry Curt, I make things pretty guess-worthy sometimes! I wish …. Nova Scotia sounds so beautiful! I propose keeping the location a bit of a mystery, since I’m a traveller at heart;) and like to meet/greet people stereotype free. Thanks!
Okay, (grin) but now I am going to go with think India! 🙂
😄A few oceans away, but technically, works!😉
Beautiful. Even the rocks are whitewashed. I wonder how often they repaint?
It really is, Dave. As for how often they whitewash, a good question to which I don’t have an answer. Often, it would appear! –Curt
We LOVED Santorini and stayed just outside of Oia in a family run inn. Across the street was a Greek Tavern that saw us visit from time to time. Well maybe every day. Your pictures are fabulous and take me right back.
I’m envious, Sue! I would have loved to stay there for a couple of weeks, or longer! Have you blogged about your experience? If so, where do I go to find it? And thanks on the photos; Peggy and I wandered around totally taken in with the beauty. –Curt
Curt the posts are basically journal stories loaded into the blog when it began. Here is one that’s quite fun. https://traveltalesoflife.com/wildlife-of-santorini/
Enjoyed it Sue. Nice fish face picture. No wonder Dave was pretending that he sat down at the wrong table. 🙂 –Curt
The man has the patience of 10 saints. Life is rarely dull with all of my ‘ideas’. 🙂
I’ll bet. 🙂
I’m so jealous! I’ve wanted to visit Santorini for a while now, but still haven’t made it there. Your pictures are gorgeous! Just made me want to go even more.
Move it to the top of your bucket list, Juliann. 🙂 –Curt
Gorgeous photos! My hubby and I got engaged in Santorini. Such a special place!
Ah, Kelly, what a beautiful place for an engagement! It is doubly special for you. –Curt
This brought back some great memories! My mom is from Greece so I’ve done my share of wandering the islands and the mainland. These photos are great!
Thanks, Lexi. And I’m glad the post stirred some memories. It’s an incredible area. Lucky you. –Curt
Thanks a lot! Santorini is high on the list of places my wife wants to visit, and it just moved up a notch or two! 🙂
Hi Troy, I’m pretty sure that your wife will love it. 🙂 And I expect you will as well.
I checked out your site and signed up. Seems like we have a lot in common in terms of loving the outdoors. I’ve written a fair amount about backpacking. –Curt
Funny, for some reason I thought you were already subscribed, thought that’s how I found YOU! 😁 Either way, glad you did, thanks and welcome!
Well, I do follow quite a few folks, and it’s likely we share some that we follow… 🙂 –Curt
Santorini has always been on my bucket list — after all, what’s not to like about the contrast of white buildings and rich blue sea? But your photos of steep steps give me pause . . . better book a flight to Greece now before our knees give out!!!
And it’s not that far from Morocco. 🙂