Scoot Around ! (Greece Part 4)

The best way to explore Santorini and Mykonos would be to scoot around on a motorbike or an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Rental rates cost less than 30 Euros for 24 hours.

It is relatively safe to drive on the roads since most motorists drive pretty slowly on the island. It was not our first time on an ATV, but it was our first time on an ATV riding on a road with traffic. After this experience, i can truly understand why many would want to be on motorbikes despite the dangers. The wind in your hair and the direct connection of being in the outdoors offers one a taste of freedom. The feeling on a bike/ATV is completely different from exploring the island through a window in a car seat.

Chasing the sunset on our ATV in Santorini….

Love all the bends!!! 

Got up at 5a.m. to catch the sunrise....

Catching the sunrise on our ATV….

One of the most beautiful sunrises I've seen! Took my breath away! This is in Santorini and it was my birthday. <3 

The other parts of Santorini we explored on our ATV… 

Like a dream… 

Downslope off the roads to some unknown tracks..... weeeee.....

the fun part is not knowing where you will end up at.... 

Ended up here....

and here...

and sometimes going the "wrong" way leads you to unexpectedly beautiful views...

Green and blue hues are perfect together...

The breathtaking coast...

and the freedom of stopping over for lunch and a little sight-seeing at Pyrgos.... 

I liked Pyrgos as it was less touristy and had no crowds like Fira or Oia and it was serene just exploring the little streets that led up to the cathedral.

Read The Oia Dream (Greece Part 1)

Read The Oracles of Delphi (Greece Part 2)

Read Find Perfect Moments (Greece Part 3)

Find Perfect Moments (Greece Part 3)

I found many perfect moments just being on Santorini.
The breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea, the strong breeze, the amazing variety of colorful buildings perched on the cliffs in the different towns. In such moments, life just standstills. The magic is all around us as I am reminded of how grateful i am to be alive and how blessed I am to be on such a beautiful island to experience these perfect moments.

Some of my favourite snapshots of Santorini that i will forever hold in my heart & mind.

Santorini showed me how simplicity can be so beautiful.
Looking at clean cut lines of the structures can bring so much peace and zen-ness to the mind.
#feelingreallyblessed

TBC….

Read The Oia Dream (Greece Part 1) 
Read The Oracle of Delphi (Greece Part 2)

pics taken by a Samsung Note 2 & Panasonic Lumix camera

Today's Daydream...

Shades of blue and turquoise … pure therapy!
Corfu, Greece.

photo credit: corfuonline.gr

Today's Daydream…

Didn't get to visit many Greek Islands… This is one i would love to visit… Paros!
A different feel from Mykonos and Santorini!

photo credit: unknown

The Oracle of Delphi (Greece Part 2)

My fascination with Ancient Civilizations continues in Delphi. Legends tell of Delphi's establishment when Zeus released two eagles from the opposite ends of the world; and Delphi was where they crossed paths. Believed to be the naval of the world, it was purposed as a dwelling place of the God Apollo at the end of the 8th century BC. People all over Greece and beyond visited Delphi to consult the God Apollo on the course of action to take in their lives. The Oracle of Delphi was a means where people could hear the God Apollo through the channel of priestess or sibyls. It was believed that the vapors from a  crack in the ground at the temple's altar assisted the channel into a trance and answers could be sought.

Like most places left in ruins, walking through Delphi requires the work of one's imagination. The grandeur and importance of Delhpi can definitely be realized from the presence of the different monuments such as the Main Temple Apollo itself, the Athenian Treasury and the presence of a theatre and stadium. Crowds must have come forth in search of answers from the oracle.

The Athenean Treasury.

I felt had affinity with this tree right under the Temple of Apollo.
It may seem so frail and weak, but to me, it has so much strength.

A sweltering hot day it was…

The theatre which overlooks the Temple.

Love the trees in Delphi, they are so ALIVE!

The Delphi museum housing the collection of sculptures and architectural remains of the period is also interesting to see. The main exhibit being the life size bronze statue the "Charioteer".

My own personal favorite at the museum has to be this….
The Magneto Helmet from X-Men!!! (or rather the movie must have got some inspiration from the greeks!) How cool!!

And the others i like….

An overview of what Delphi might have looked like….

And the most endearing Temple cats of Delphi…

Much love….

TBC….

Read The Oia Dream (Greece Part 1) 

(Pics taken with a Panasonic Lumix Camera, Samsung S4 and Note 2)

The Oia Dream I (Greece Part 1)

"The Universe always conspires to help the dreamer."

If life is truly a dream, then the dreamer will come to realize that he is dreaming his life when he sets foot on Santorini Island.

Daydreams do come true.
I found myself on Santorini this summer; fulfilling one of the most anticipated destinations on my bucket list.
The picturesque postcard pictures of Oia at the northern tip of Santorini we have often seen are for real.

The white washed mansions and blue domed churches overlooking the sea just brings about a surge of peace and tranquility in one's soul.

7am in Oia.

All is quiet. Just us and the sweeper.

And of course the sweet cats living at Oia.

The cat that does not get tired of watching the Oia sunrise.

There is just something special about blue domes that i cannot get enough of.

TBC….

(Pics taken with a Panasonic Lumix Camera, Samsung S4 and Note 2)