Solo Backpacking in Europe: Santorini – a Stunning Paradise

Santorini!!!
The flight just took 45 minutes from Athens ?

I arrived around 7:00 pm.
The Santorini airport is small.
I found the bus to Fira at the front of the airport and the fare is €1.80 to Fira Bus terminal.

The ride was just 10-15 minutes.
When we arrived in the terminal, I don’t know where to go, so I asked a lady for the direction of the hospital (a landmark to the Fira backpacker’s place).
But she can’t speak english, so I tried to understand what she’s trying to say, and nod my head on everything she said..but honestly, I really didn’t understand, so I thank her, and ask again, a guy help me out, and even called the hostel for the directions. Fira backpackers’ place is just 5mins from terminal ?

I needed to rest, but I need to take a shower first, and sleep.
But was not able to get some sleep, until 1:00 am, because there are still some tourists also in hostel that drinking and talking. So well, good luck tomorrow ?

I plan to go to Oia early in the morning, but it can’t be done because there’s a bus schedule. So better check the timetable, because the departure and arrival of the bus for each place is not every hour.

So I ate my breakfast first in hostel and wait for the bus schedule which is 10:20am.

There’s just few passengers going to Oia.
While looking outside, I can already see the blue domes, I’m so excited, but at the same time I’m also sleepy, so some time I dozed off ? I think it took us 30 minutes.

Ok so here I am..where to go first?
I just walk around the place. And Lo and behold for the view ?

Oh my God!!! I can’t believe I’m seeing it in person, this is Santorini ?

But wait, I’m still not satisfied, I keep looking for the blue dome. And I don’t know if I’m in the right path (probably not). Because I can’t already see the white houses, and I’m too far away from Oia terminal.

So I went back, and ask, someone. She told me just go straight and I will find it. Well it’s a long walk, but I found them ? Also found the donkeys, haha!

After 2 hours in Oia,now, I’m all smiles and ready to go back to Fira ?

And I’m tired and HANGRY!. And craving for pizza or pasta ?

I asked the server/waiter for the directions to Fira. (Maybe I asked the wrong question ). He told me that I’m already in Fira, and he said that maybe I’m looking for the Caldera view. And that it’s just a few minutes away ?

I waited for the sunset before going back to hostel.

I also saw some dogs, not sure if they are stray dogs. Because they keep walking around the place. Then, I called the dog, to give some food. Fortunately, there’s a dog food where I’m standing at (I didn’t even know! just happy that the dog had some food) ?

And now time to leave Santorini.
It worries me that I’ll be late for my flight, because the bus leaves at 7:30, and my flight is at 8:10 pm. Fortunately, Santorini’s airport is small, so security check and check in are quick. Cons, because it is a budget airline, it is a bit unorganized. At least it’s just 45 minutes to Athens.

And so I wait, well, sleep rather, my flight to Rome is not until 7:00 am. So I need to stay in airport for 10 hours at least.

I had a hard time sleeping at the airport. So I just washed, read, charged my batteries..and suddenly I’m sleepy. It is already 3:00 am. I need to wake up at 5:00 am for security check… (to be continued in Rome)