Greece - Santorini, Mykonos & Athens

Simply loved the Greek islands! The clear blue sea & mystique horizon and the cobblestone walkways lined with all-white houses decorated with colourful windows & staircases are sights that I'll remember for sure.

30 Sep / 1 Oct (Tue/Wed)
We took an overnight flight from Sg straight to Athens via SQ. The plane was not full and therefore the 12 hour flight was surprisingly pleasant. After 2 movies, supper & a short nap, we arrived in Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport at 7am.Finally arrived in Santorini after a short 45 mins flight from Athens. The Santorini Airport is small and simple.Santorini located in the Southern Agean consist of 3 islands, Thera, Thirassia & Aspronisi. The moon shaped island is formed by various volcanic eruptions. Now the inactive volcano offers superb views.
I booked a room online at The Majestic Hotel and the friendly hotel staff was there to receive us. The hotel was a short 10 mins drive from the airport and about 5 mins walk from the capital, Fira Town. The view from the hotel.
The hotel was modern and chic. Our room is a mansionette, exactly befitting the pictures and description on the hotel's website. Very nice.
We rented a car on the first day to explore the island. Started out renting a manual car for Eur 35, Eur 10 cheaper than an automatic. However after a short stressful drive i.e. Left hand drive coupled with steep & unfamiliar roads, we realized that we can't really save the Eur 10 and "upgraded" to an automatic car. Thereafter, driving was a breeze.
Late lunch at a bakery near the hotel. Very traditional no frills bakery which seems to be popular with the locals who bought big bags of bread.


Drove around the island and checkout various sights including their landmark white & blue chapels.Went to Oia to catch the sunset which was really beautiful.
Nice resorts in Oia.First Greek dinner was at Fira Town. We ate at this restaurant where food are displayed at the counter and looking appetising. Unfortunately looks were deceiving. The roast chicken was hard & dry. We also tried 2 Greek dishes, braised beef with onions and Moussaka - baked layers of eggplant, minced meat & potatoes topped with cheese sauce & baked. Only 1 out of 3 dish are nice and the Eur 30 dinner was certainly not worth it.

2 Oct (Thur)
Watching sunrise from our room balcony.
Breakfast at the hotel was very nice, buffet style. Weather was sunny and yet cooling so having a long breakfast in the Al fresco area was quite an enjoyment.
We then drove around the island, checking out the Black Beach, Red Beach and the lighthouse. Quite a sight. Didn't expect Greece to be so rocky & dry.
In the afternoon we returned the car and rented a quad bike. The bike shop owner came to pick me up from the hotel. I was a pillion rider for the first time & he drove very fast but skillfully so it was very exciting. Paid Eur 20 for 1 day usage and after a short intro on how to start n handle the quad bike, I'm on my own.. Driving the bike and finding my way back to the hotel. It was really fun and exciting to ride the quad bike. Visited Kamari beach n saw a few nudist... In particular, there was 2 couples playing cards together and both ladies were topless. Haha!
Coffee at Vertigo near the cable car station in Fira Town. Watching the sunset while overlooking the Caldera. Amazingly beautiful. 3 Oct (Fri)
Woke up early to catch the sunrise. The time round we drove the quadbike without the helmet n it instantly felt more shiok. Last breakfast in Santorini...
Around noon, we checkout the hotel and headed to the port for our ferry to Mykonos.
Arrived at Mykonos after about 3 hours ferry ride, and we were welcome by a sight of windmills by the coast.
Arrived at Mykonos Grand Hotel which is about 15 mins drive from the port. Hotel was very nice and the staff were very helpful, providing suggestions on places to visit & dining recommendations.

Our cosy room..
Shortly after check-in, we went to relax by the poolside.
We had lunch by the poolside. Tried their Club Sandwich & Horiatiki Greek salad - plenty of tomatoes, cucumber, olives & feta cheese. =)
Sunset in Mykonos...
Went to the infamous Little Venice in Mykonos Town, a stretch of eatery & chill out places along the bay (reminds us of Boat quay/Clark quay). Plenty of tourists who dressed up to dine & club along this stretch. Loved those white theme restaurants/bars and the cobblestone walkways.
Couldn't resist the temptation and had my first gelato before reaching Italy! 4 chocolate favoured gelato made with Greek milk..
We had dinner at Uno, recommended for their steaks. The ambience was very nice and the music was great. My 300gm rib eye steak was so huge and yet tender. 2 main course & drinks cost us Eur 60++ but it was certainly worth the $$$. We chanced upon a CD shop playing the same music as what Uno was playing and we promptly bought the CD, Chill out in Mykonos, Bossa Edition. Two thumbs up!
4 Oct (Sat)
Waking up to a beautiful morning..
Tried the Greek coffee over breakfast at the hotel. Cold water and a teaspoon of coffee & some sugar are boiled in briki before being serve in tiny cups. Never stir the Greek coffee after it is served & never drink to the last drop because of the gregs that sink down.Bus tickets are sold in this provision shop. We waited for bus to Mykonos Town but it didn't come.
There isn't any cabs on the streets so we had to go back to the hotel to call a cab. Fooling around in the white theme bar while waiting for the cab.
Loved Mykonos for the all white houses. In fact, all the houses including hotels are white coloured, enforced by legislation according to the hotel staff. Little Venice in the day.Windmills in Mykonos Town.
Ferry from Mykonos port to Piraeus, near Athens took 5.5hours. Quite a huge ferry which also took vehicles on board.In Athens (Athinai), I booked the Student & Travellers Inn Hostel which was recommended by Lonely Planet. At Eur 62 /night, it was a vast difference from our hotel in Mykonos. The location was great though. It was 5 stations away from Piraeus Port via Metro green line and within the Plaka district, known as the old quarter of Athens. In the evening, the area lined with Taverns & tourist shops was bustling with activities.
We could also see Acropolis lighted up from afar.
We tried their Greek Gryos for dinner. It's basically grilled meat (similar to Turk kebabs), served with pita bread & fries. Delicious!
5 Oct (Sun)
In the morning, we went to Acropolis Area, consisting of the Dionysus theater and the infamous Parthenon Temple. Could see the Athens city view from Acropolis.
Around the park there are performers playing violin & saxophone (soooo nice!) and stalls selling donuts & pretzels. Giant donuts cost us Eur 1 and it was yummy & perfect to share for breakfast. Walked to Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch.
We walked around the area looking for the Sunday flea market @ Plateia Monastiraki to Ermou and chanced upon Ancient Agora & Thission Area.
Syntagma Square and the Parliament house - 2 soldiers dressed in traditional skirt uniform called evzones stand guard outside daily and there's changing of guards every hour.
6 Oct (Mon)
Today we went back to Ermou street for early morning shopping. Though it was a Monday, the streets are pretty packed with shoppers even at 10am. Almost went crazy at Zara. Prices are cheaper e.g. shoes are less than Sgd 100 and my pencil skirt which was I bought in Sg for Sgd 90 only cost Sgd 40! Damage done, 2 tops which probably would be the price of 1 in Sg. Hehe :) Also bought a Mango tube dress designed by Penelope Cruz for Eur 45, and a pair of earrings, gloves (for our stay in Switzerland) and a stylo milo cap, all from H&M for Eur 16. Loved H&M accessories at their affordable prices.
After collecting our luggage from the hostel, we then head to Larissa Station from Synagma Station via Metro red line.
Wanted to catch the train to Patras for our overnight ferry to Italy but realised the next train to Patras is 3pm and the journey of 3.5 hours would mean that we'll miss our ferry! The train counter staff suggested that we try catching a bus instead. We rushed to grab a cab to the bus station, and luckily the next bus to Patras was at 2.15pm and a faster journey of 2 hours 45 mins would mean that we'll reach the port by 5pm, in time for our ferry departing at 6pm. Rushing to find the right bus at the station.
Boarding our overnight ferry to Italy, Blue Star 1. Was pleasantly surprised that we got a comfortable room with 1 upper & 1 lower deck, (normally Eur 144/pax) all covered under the Eurail Pass so we only paid Eur 34 for seaport taxes.