Santorini
The Black Pearl of the Aegean Sea
by Connie Ortona

Santorini, Greece is one of the best island destinations in the world for a good reason. You begin your journey approaching Santorini by way of a boat and the view is something to behold. It looks like a huge black mountain coming up out of the blue Aegean Sea.

You have a choice on just how you want to go up to the city of Fira; by cable car, donkey or you can just walk up 600 steps. We looked up at people riding the donkeys along a narrow path along the outside of the mountain so we took the cable car, of course.

All automobiles only travel on the outside of the mountain so the streets in the towns are free to walk anywhere you want.

Fira sits on the edge of a cliff and offers a great panoramic view. It is a busy touristy area with its cobblestoned streets filled with shops, restaurants and bars. The fresh fish, local wine and Greek salads were to die for.

The town is filled with small houses, blue domed churches, and Museums, but someone told me to make sure I went up to the top town of Oia. They told me most tourists stay in Fira so we took a taxi up to Oia. It took us along the outside of the mountain and the view was unbelievable, but Oia was something to be seen.

We strolled along its wide white cobbled streets with its many stores, open verandas, restaurants…needless to say I took many pictures. From Oia (pronounced Ea) you can look down and see different colored rooftops sticking out of the side of the mountain, hotels with their swimming pools jutting out, and steps going down to the sea. It was breathtaking.

Oia is known for its quiet life, fantastic sunsets, and considered the most beautiful village in Santorini. If you don’t mind steps you can go down 300 of them to get to the Beach of Armenis. There are Taverns and small boats for hire to take you to Thirassia.

The locals here are extremely friendly and most speak English. It is so peaceful to stroll down the streets, passing stores selling the best looking fruits and vegetables, pastries, smelling the fresh grilling fish. It makes me hungry just thinking about it.

There is white everywhere with blues and pinks for rooftops and doors. There is just a lot of color jutting out of this black rock called Santorini. I would love to go back.

Through My Eyes’ Photographs by Connie Ortona

Connie has lived in Washington Twp. for 35 years with her husband and 2 daughters. Photography has been a big part of her life for more than 25 of those years. 

Connie started out doing sports photography for a local newspaper, but she now specializes in beautiful scenic photographs and has traveled all over Europe capturing the essence of each region she visits.

Connie exhibits her work at art festivals and on her new web site: http://www.photographsbyconnieortona.com where her Scenic Photography and Specialty Cards will be available for sale. Please contact Connie for a list of other photographs and pricing. 856-589-6054 or connieort@verizon.net.