For its size, Santorini has numerous churches and chapels. Many of the smaller ones were built and dedicated by families of fisherman in thanks for their loved ones return from sea. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Today marks my second photographic essay on the beautiful Greek Island of Santorini.
Living on Santorini can be a bit hazardous to your health. It is a volcanic area prone to earthquakes and has suffered from several volcanic eruptions over time. As I mentioned in my last post, Santorini is part of an archipelago that surrounds a caldera. Calderas are created when the magna chamber under a volcano is emptied out and the volcano comes crashing down into itself. Crater Lake in Oregon is another example.
A massive volcanic explosion 3600 years ago may have been responsible for destroying the Minoan civilization on Crete. It may also have been tied to the legend of Atlantis.
I found some leaves to frame this blue-topped Greek Orthodox Church.
Peggy captured this bell tower outlined by a dark sky. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
A Santorini windmill.
Blue doors are common on the island.
Very common! (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
In addition to enjoying the beauty of the buildings and the Aegean Sea on Santorini, we wandered around the town of Oia. During the summer, this walkway would have been packed with people. As usual, I was on the lookout for unusual things that might tweak my funny bone or curiosity.
Such as this sign. Mosts tourists aren’t particularly noted for patience. Was this to forewarn them that their food would arrive when it arrived! Or that snails were on the menu? Or that the food was cooked slowly? (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
This octopus wrapped itself around a doorway.
An orangish, golden sphinx hung out on a porch.
And a white-washed lion looked down on us.
This fellow was obviously eager to climb to the top. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
As one would expect, there were the usual souvenirs, all with a Santorini twist.
I liked this vase.
And this succulent plant.
A number of interesting gates beckoned.
Cats and dogs wandered freely around Oia. I was curious about how many of these animals had homes. My blogging friends from Animal Couriers often transport these animals for free to loving homes throughout Europe. This guy was so well groomed I suspect he had a home, but he would have been welcomed in ours.
A final look at Santorini.
FRIDAY’S POST: Happy holidays
TUESDAY’S POST: The folks around Copalis really like Sasquatch
THURSDAY’S POST: Photos from the gardens of Chatsworth
Wandering through Time and Place 
Lovely Curt.
Slow food, how imaginative is that?! They really take it slow there, don’t they?
Either that or they serve snails. 🙂
Or maybe it’s food for snails. Or snails are waiters. Endless possibilities.
On and on and on! 🙂 –Curt
Fast food for slow snails? 🙂
You certainly couldn’t complain about a leisurely meal in the restaurant after that, could you, Bojana? 🙂 –Curt
No, not really. You know, people over there are so relaxed, it’s irritating. 🙂 I remember once, I think it was somewhere on Crete, we ordered food, ate it really really slowly, drank our wine and after a couple of hours of what we thought was very relaxing dinner, we wanted to pay and, like all tourists, go sightseeing. And we called the waiter, and again and again. He would just wave his hand in a manner – relax, you’ll pay later. Enjoy…
We waited for him one whole hour (he was still eating), after which we went inside to get his dad so we can give them money. It seemed they couldn’t care less.
Now tell me, how perfectly slow and relaxing is that. No stress whatsoever. They really know to enjoy themselves.
That’s a great story, Bojana. 🙂 I might have started to get a little restless by the end of the third hour. Leisurely meals require the right state of mind! –Curt
Yes, they do. You relax easier than you think there.
Had I had a bucket list, Santorini would have been near the top because it symbolized the Greek Isles for me. When we finally made it, it was everything I hoped. I also was taken by the gold jewelry in the store windows [which is as close as I got] because it seemed so much more creative than any other I had ever seen.
Your photos make me want to return.
Santorini is about as close to a fairytale land as you can get and still be in this world, Ray… at least from a photography perspective. And thanks. Our photos make us want to return. 🙂
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You have raided my picture album again Curt.
My top tip. Next time try Milos, just as picturesque but without the crowds!
I could hang out in the area for months, Andrew! We lucked out on the lack of crowds. BTW: Next Wednesday’s post takes me off to Chatsworth. And after that it will be a narrow boat tour. –Curt
I look forward to them Curt. I lived just a few miles from Chatsworth so know it well and as a boy a pal of mine lived in a lock keeps house on the canal so I have always had a fondness for the waterways!
I’ll look forward to your comments!
Hi Curt, Beautiful pictures, good job! Santorini is very clean. Is that an illusion limited to the visitor areas or universal. How do they maintain it so well? Be Well, Paul
Thanks Paul. Certainly the town of Oia was clean and neat throughout where we wandered. I suspect that part of the answer is lots of whitewash! –Curt
Oh wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a large collection of Santorini photos in one place. Magical. We’ll get there one day.
And I posted just a few of the ones we took, Peggy. 🙂 –Curt
Despite how much I love dogs – my favorite was the “Slow Food” sign!
It was certainly close to the top on the creativity scale, G. 🙂 –Curt
Love this. Was in Santorini for only 1 brief day on a cruise, but we loved it. Some of my most memorable photographs are from that day, it’s so amazingly photogenic. Nice work!
Thanks, Geoff. Photogenic is right!
The title of your blog reminds me of the shops selling ‘genuine fake watches’ in Turkey. Always amusing. –Curt
Curt, that’s what it’s from. I took a picture of the sign outside the ruins at Ephesus. I stylized it later. I’m a marketing executive for a software company, and the name just says “marketing” to me!
What a beautiful set of photos. Curt, you have described your journey with such interesting detail. The Greek Orthodox Church, the blue doors, the windmill. And Peggy has as good an eye for beautiful photos too. Thank you.
It is hard to take a bad photo on Santorini, JoHanna. It is just about like turning any direction you want, pointing and shooting. And I am lucky to have Peggy’s skills along! We always have a lot of fun with our cameras, inspiring each other. –Curt
oh, yes, our old Europe is sooo awesome, right?… 🙂
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merry holidays, health, joy, peace and oceans of inspiration… cheers! 🙂
Right! 🙂 And may you and your family have a great holiday as well, Melanie. –Curt
That glorious blue is everywhere…doors, roofs, ornaments, the sky and sea! Wonderful photos and description, Curt! I’ve visited Crete a few times and these remind me of that island but even more picturesque!
The colors were amazing and the setting spectacular, Annika. I’ve never made it to Crete but would like to. In fact, I would like to spend much more time exploring Mediterranean Islands! –Curt
Thanks for the info on calderas. New term for me. And for the shots of churches, the windmill, and tiny pathways among the buildings. We’re headed to Morocco in May, and we’ve seen photos of the medinas there — similar tiny passageways. We’re getting a guide so we don’t get trapped!
Most of the bloggers I follow who have been to Morocco all love it, Rusha! and thanks. –Curt
Rusha, you might want to check out my blogging friend Kelly at https://compassandcamera.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/a-thousand-shades-of-chefchaouen/#comment-5365
who is traveling through Morocco right now. –Curt
Funny you should give me that reference. I just read her post, and she’s even told me where she stayed in Chefchaouen! I’m getting excited about the planning stage, for sure.
Kelly’s a good soul. I’ll bet you are excited. 🙂 –Curt