Santorini

 Our next stop was Santorini! Home of the iconic white buildings and blue domes. I was SO excited. Getting to visit this place felt like the epitome of "Greece". And honestly, it didn't disappoint. We had to ferry to shore and take a tram up the mountain to get started. Doug had booked us another private tour guide, but he basically just dropped us off at various spots and we had lots of time to explore on our own. It is truly the MOST picturesque town with incredible views! I wanted to stop and take pictures every two steps. And that's basically what we did. Then we got brunch at a cute, little restaurant overlooking the bluffs and I had to pinch myself. This moment will forever be etched in my memories as "surely this isn't real life". Beautiful weather, blue shimmery water, foreign languages all around us. So exotic! I ordered the most delectable hazelnut croissant that everyone wished they had ordered too. I never wanted it to end!

It was definitely a popular place to be, but again, we heard that it gets twice as crowded in the "busy" season! After lunch we found "THE picture spot" you always see online. We waited maybe 20-30 min to get our shot. The boys (Doug) did not see the point, haha. But this was of HIGH importance to Rach and I! 

We shopped around and got some souvenirs then our driver took us to a few other pretty spots on the island. For the bell arch he said there is usually wall to wall people, but we had the place to ourselves! I tell ya, don't go to Greece in the summer!

Goin' to the cha-pel and we're goin' to get maaarried!

Not me being an influencer in the wild!! Santorini does something to a person.

Then we visited the "red sand" and "black sand" beaches. 

At the black sand beach there was a resort with totally empty beach front so we made ourselves comfortable and ordered drinks and snackies! Again, PINCH ME!! You could not beat this weather or view. And no one around! Except for an older, saggy couple down way that changed into their swimsuits right there, out in the open! Lol.

We used the bathroom at the bar and "Five More Hours" was playing over the speakers and I thought of David haha. Half way around the world and America was still present. 

Then we went to the highest elevation point on the island and I held my breath as our driver wound up the path. 

If you don't understand why I needed a picture of a pretty door, I can't explain it to you. ;)

We ended the day at a nice restaurant our driver highly recommended. We were high in the cliffs, overlooking the ocean and once again I was awestruck and marveling how this was MY life. 

Back on the ferry, admiring my pretty ring I bought myself! 

Isn't the blue just so "Santorini"?! I put it on every morning and think about this perfect day.