Until Next Time Oia!

October 8, 2013 at 9:29 am • Posted in Greece by Lisa

Two weeks in Santorini whizzed by and was simply not enough! It seems that each time I visit, no matter how long I stay, it is never enough

Oia is a magical place and the 5600 photos taken by the seven of us over the 14 days tried to capture some of the magic but, alas, the only way to truly experience Oia’s awesomeness is simply to visit yourself

As we sat at our favorite restaurant on the last day to reflect on the “takeaways” from Santorini, here is what we came up with:

1) PEOPLE!!! This is true for all of Greece, not just Santorini! The Greek people are so warm and friendly they are a big part of why you quickly fall in love with this country! They LOVE life and they live life wisely! Good food, great friends, spending time laughing and enjoying life!

Our friend, Eleni, who taught us how to cook amazing Greek dishes!

2) LIGHT. Whether it is sunrise, sunset, or any of the time in between, there is something about the sun in Santorini that makes the entire island glow!

Sunrise view in Oia

3) YOU CAN MAKE AWESOME SALADS WITHOUT LETTUCE! Greek salad is so good! And there are many different versions in Santorini but the one constant is that none of them contain lettuce!

Greek salad at one of our favorite restaurants!

4) GEOLOGICAL INSTABILITY = NATURAL BEAUTY. The Santorini caldera is the largest in the world and it is the backdrop to every jaw-dropping view. It also houses the still active volcano. Being from Seattle, we know that living so close to natural beauty also means chance of earthquakes. The most recent major earthquake in Santorini was in the 1950s and caused a ton of destruction. Many people abandon their destroyed homes, never to return.

View of the caldera

5) CAVE HOUSES ARE COOL!! If you ever get a chance to stay in one, you should! The experience it something you will never forget! For a full tour, check out Wescott’s interactive Oia post!

Panorama taken inside the cave house!

I am not sad to leave because I know I will be back! Cliff and I have decided that at some point when the kids are all gone, we will visit Oia again and stay until we are ready to leave…I wonder how long that will take?

Kids on roof deck! Cliff and I were drinking a glass of wine on a separate roof deck :)

Kids on roof deck of the cave house! Cliff and I were drinking a glass of wine on a separate roof deck :)

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Lisa

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Tom and Barbara / October 11, 2013 at 9:08 pm /

We have so enjoyed reading every one of your posts. As we look at the pictures and read the blogs we remember similar trips we have taken. If we haven’t been there we feel like we have. We can’t help but smile, seeing all the memories you are making as a family. Have you considered writing a book? Please continue writing and posting photos. You guys are amazing.
- Lisa / October 13, 2013 at 12:19 am /
  
  Thank you Barbara and Tom! We love that you are reading the blog and we are having fun writing it because it is like an interactive journal and a way to keep in touch with everyone back home! Say “hi” to all at Lakeridge for us! Xoxo
Frances / October 13, 2013 at 10:34 am /

Dear Gappers, As I awoke this am to misty PNW skies, before I crawled out of bed and selected a fleece from my ever-expanding collection, I spent a soothing sun-filled two weeks with you on Santorini. I imagined myself jumping off rocks in cerulean seas, floating on my back looking up at the iridescent white buildings, whose blue domes blended into an equally blue sky. I drooled over the exquisite greek salads, the spice-filled stew of veal and eggplant. I marveled at the interactive Ojai post. I followed Jonesie on a tour of the cave house. I loved every word and photo. Thank you all for including me in you world tour.
- Cliff / October 13, 2013 at 12:34 pm /
  
  You’re the best! Do you want to guest post?!! Thanks, we are having quite a journey for sure!!
  - Muff / October 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm /
    
    I’d rather be one of the travelers, but I guess I missed that boat!
Julie Gilmore / October 13, 2013 at 10:16 pm /

What a great way to educate the kids & make the best kind of family memories!!
Mara Krieps / October 14, 2013 at 8:09 am /

The posts just keep getting more fabulous. Thanks to the creative and talented Sharples family for sharing a view of faraway places. Oia’s now on my list!
Mouni / October 14, 2013 at 9:55 am /

I wonder how long that would be too, Lisa! 😉