Jennifer Betit Yen
Actor, "Recovering" Attorney and Author
  • Home
  • Press
  • TV/Film
    • TV
    • Film
    • Commercials
    • Hosting
    • Interviews
    • Readings/Theatrical/Stage
    • Voiceover
  • Photos
  • Media Links
  • Bio
  • Publications
  • Ethical Is Beautiful. Be Beautiful. A Blog.
  • Companies
  • Contact

Santorini Part III:  Adventure

11/17/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
I only had a short time in Santorini but here are my top picks for soul soothing adventures to try:

1.  Climb Skaros Rock
Skaros Rock is beautiful and it's not a difficult climb at all for a moderately experienced hiker/climber.   That being said, there is no safety anything - no signs, no ropes, no fences, no guards.  That adds to the majesty of the experience but you should also be careful.  The winding trek up Skaros is pretty easy until you get to the very top.  Then, you have to really climb and it's not a place you'd want to fall.  When I went, a German couple was ahead of me.  The woman was unable to make the final ascent to the very top of Skaros rock, which is a flat expanse of rock from which you can stand and drink in the horizon and the Aegean Sea. It's soul shattering (in a good way).  The man scrambled up.  I followed.  The getting up was easier than the coming down.  The German left the top before I did and when I started to lower myself down over the edge, I saw he and his partner had waited for me to make sure I was able to get down ok and offered help if I needed it.  They were incredibly nice.  This is just to say, be nice, offer help, and be careful.  Don't climb alone.  DO NOT buy tickets to tour Skaros Rock.  There is absolutely no need.  It's a waste of money and you will get a much more soulful experience out of exploring it yourself.  It's just going up and down - you're not going to get lost.

2.  Fira
If, as I recommended in my Part I, you stay in Imerovigli, you should take the easy hike to Fira one day - it's a half day adventure but you could turn it into a full day easily.  Fira is a touristy little area chock full of street vendors, museums, churches (including the gorgeous Catholic Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, which is definitely worth a visit), shops, and restaurants.  Finding a vegetarian restaurant was challenging, but I found the locals were easily able to adapt dishes to remove meat for me and the amazing wines and rich beans, herbs and vegetables made everything a pleasure to dine on.  The walk to and from Fira took a long time for me not because the distance was great but because the views were spectacular.  I kept stopping to just drink it in.  Each moment was better than the last.  More on Fira here.

3.  Oia
If the views between Imerovigli and Fira were great, the views on the hike between Imerovigli and Oia were spectacular!  The Oia trek is several hours and some of the ground is really stony and gravelly so wear good hiking shoes if you want to be comfortable.  The hike itself is a wonderful adventure and then you can take the opportunity to explore Oia.  I hated the touristy part of Oia, with the marble ground and uber expensive shops - it just seemed a little gauche.  But, that's easy to skip!  Just stay local.  The restaurants are great.  I highly recommend Floga, which has wonderful food and gorgeous views if you dine on the terrace.  If you go, my absolute favorites from the menu were: the Greek salad, Santorini fava beans puree,  the traditional Santorini tomato dumpling with basil, the steamed mussels, the wild mushroom risotto, and their fresh fruit platter.  More on Oia here.  

4.  The Sulphur Springs and a Day Long Boat Trip Around the Caldera Bay and to the Volcano
Generally, the island is small and easy to navigate.  You don't need to pay for tours and I wouldn't  recommend it - it would take away from the joy and spontaneity of discovering the island for yourself.  That begin said, I would recommend spending money on only two things: a sail around the Caldera Bay which takes you to the volcano and the sulphur springs and a tour of the wineries.  Learning about the volcano is pretty cool and the Caldera Bay is incredible.  Experiencing it from the water as well as from the land is breathtaking.  The sulphur springs are super touristy but if it's part of the boat ride, jump in and check them out.  To know in advance:  the sulphur will dye all your clothes brown so DO NOT wear a white swimsuit or anything you don't want to turn a bit rusty in color and don't wear any jewelry.  The "hot" springs are also not hot.  At best, they are tepid.  Also, if you're asthmatic or pregnant, don't go.  The sulphur can cause health issues for you.  Last, know that the boats can't anchor in the springs; they anchor a little bit away so you have to swim out to the springs.  It's not that far but it's enough that if you're in bad shape or not a good swimmer, it's going to be more scary than fun for you.  There will be really sharp rocks just under the water as you swim up to the springs, so just be aware of them.  More on the springs here.


5.  Winery Tour
As I mentioned in Santorini Part I (the food), the wine - particularly the dry white wines - of Santorini is famous and the fame is well deserved!  I'm going to quote Greeka.com here because they say it better than I can:
"The volcanic soil and the special climate of Santorini give a unique taste to the local wine. The wine of Santorini was famous all over the Mediterranean basin in the ancient times and even today it is exported in many countries of the world. Vinsanto, Nychteri and Mezzo are just some of the local varieties that can be found in many restaurants on the island and in various cellars in the world. A very special thing to do on the island is visit some of the many Santorini wineries, spread all over the countryside. Most wineries in Santorini are actually found in the central and the southern part of the island, in the villages of Mesa and Exo Gonia, Megalochori and Messaria. Large vineyards surround the wineries, which can be visited individually or in an organized wine tour. The most famous Santorini wineries are Santo Wines and Volcan Wines." Source: www.greeka.com.  Click here for details on multiple wineries in Santorini.


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Jen Yen

    Actor, Author, Attorney
    www.jen-yen.com

    Book cover image

    The Ethical is B ...

    Jen Yen

    $12.95

    Buy Now button

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    April 2022
    October 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    Acting, Writing & Producing
    Activist Thor Guest Blog
    Amplifying Underrepresented Voices in Film
    Arts & Activism: Why Representation Matters
    Audition Disasters
    Achoo Moment

    Cre8ing in Isolation
    Hint of an "Asian American Accent"
    Immigrants:  We Are Them.  They Are Us

    In Defense of Eddie Huang
    Just Noise
    Marci Phillips on how to Enjoy the Ride
    Movies to Watch

    Multi-Sum Game
    Production Journal: Stone Soup
    Production Journal: Prison Sandwiches

    Thank You
    The Opposite of a Fairy Tale
    Welcome to the New Normal

    What's in a Name?
    What's Your Story?  Paul Leach
    What's Your Story? Alex Chu
    What's Your Story?  Kiyun Sung
    What's Your Story?  Sean Lea
    What's Your Story?  Myra Sito Velasquez
    Wha's Your Story?  Allan Tsao
    What's Your Story? Christina Jun
    What's Your Story?  Kevin Chew
    What's Your Story?  Katherina Filaseta
    Words Matter:  Remarks to Filmmakers
    ​  

    Beauty/Health
    Barrier Creams to Protect Skin
    Beat Inflammation

    Beauty
    Beauty Bars To Go

    Brightening Toner
    Chocolate Cake w protein and NO flour
    Clean Beauty Sans Plastic

    Coconut Oil Skin Therapy
    Ditch the Plastic

    DIY Accupressure
    DIY Beauty
    DIY Eyelash Strengethener

    DIY Natural Household Cleaners
    DIY Scrubs
    DIY Skin Brightener
    Eating Organic
    Energy 
    Energy Bars to Go
    Fashion

    Facial Masks in Your Kitchen
    Forward 
    Garden/Green Space
    Herbivore in Hawaii
    Holistic Health

    Just Noise
    Lead
    Marci Phillips on how to Enjoy the Ride
    Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica
    Meditation & Stress Relief
    Nickel Allergy Food, Skin Care & Cosmetics 
    Oh My Skin!
    Oils for Your Skin
    Organic Eating

    Outstanding Oils
    Plant Based Eating
    Plastic-Free Beauty
    Recycling
    Serendipity in a Cup
    Save The World
    A Shorter Save the World
    Traveling and One's Face
    Vegan in Vail
    Water, Keeping it Potable


    Food
    Adzuki Beans
    Beauty Bars To Go
    Calamari, Vegan
    Carrot Cake
    Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    Ceviche, Vegan
    CHEESE, for the Love of
    Charcoal Drink
    Chinese (Vegan Dim Sum) Food
    Chinese (Veggie style) Food
    Chickpea  and Quinoa Combo
    Chocolate Cake (flourless w protein)
    Chocolate, Hot
    Crab Recipes, Vegan
    Crackers 
    COFFEE!!

    Comfort Food
    Cookbook Author Charity Bratz
    Crispy "Rice" with sweet "sashimi"
    Detox Bars To Go
    Detox Drink
    Dim Sum in NYC

    Easy Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake
    Eating Organic
    Energy Bars To Go

    Foods to Fight  Inflammation
    Herbivore In Hawaii
    Holistic Health

    Hosting a Vegan Wine'n Cheese
    Hot Chocolate
    Best Baked Potato Ever

    Bok Choy Mushroom Stir Fry
    Let's Eat
    Marci Phillips on how to Enjoy the Ride
    Meat Lover Guide to Delicious Noshing
    Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica
    Mofongo 
    Nickel Allergy
    Nickel Allergy Cookbook
    Octopus and Calamari, Vegan
    Organic
    Pasta Alfredo
    Pizza 

    Plant Based Eating
    Plated:  An Environmental Nightmare
    Protein-Packing for Dinner
    Protein Crispy Rice "Sashimi"
    Rice, Crispy
    Sashimi
    Scallops, Vegan
    Seafood, Vegan

    A Shorter Save the World
    Shrimp, Vegan

    Souvlaki
    Squid, Vegan

    Strawberry, Thyme & Lemongrass Tart
    Summer Sips and Snacks
    Sushi
    Thanksgiving

    The Best Nom Noms
    Vegan Brunch
    Vegan Dining in NYC
    Vegan in Vail

    Vegan Mexican
    Vegetarian Thanksgiving
    Water

    Yummy Deliciousness

    Gender
    Activist Thor: Guest Blog
    Arts & Activism: Why Representation Matters
    Beauty
    Bitch
    Cre8ing in Isolation
    #FemicidioEsGenocidio
    Just Noise
    Me Too ... Part I
    Me Too...Part II
    MeToo...Part III:  If You See Something, Say Something
    Micro-Expressions of Sexism at the Gym
    Normalizing Gender Based Violence
    Playing with the Boys
    Real History
    Sorry Not Sorry
    The "Myth"(?) of Women Backstabbers

    Interviews
    40 by 40 with Jennifer Gabriel
    Alex Dabagh, Upcycled Luxury Totes
    Cookbook Author Charity Bratz

    Cre8ing in Isolation
    DIY Beauty Tips from Jackeline Velasco
    Holistic Health w Dr. Anna Folckomer
    Immigrants:  We Are Them.  They Are Us
    Marci Phillips on how to Enjoy the Ride
    Meditation Tips from Lisa Barcelo

    What's Your Story?  Paul Leach
    What's Your Story? Alex Chu
    What's Your Story?  Kiyun Sung
    What's Your Story?  Sean Lea
    What's Your Story?  Myra Sito Velasquez
    Wha's Your Story?  Allan Tsao
    What's Your Story? Christina Jun
    What's Your Story?  Kevin Chew
    What's Your Story?  Katherina Filaseta
    ​

    Race
    Are You Angry?
    Arts & Activism: Why Representation Matters
    Amplifying Underrepresented Voices in Film

    Colorblind
    Cre8ing in Isolation
    Did He Deserve It?
    Does Race Matter?

    Hint of an "Asian American Accent"
    Immigrants:  We Are Them.  They Are Us
    Immigrants:  Homeland by April Xiao
    Immigrants: Not Quite by Ada Cheng
    Immigrants: Home of the Brave by Avantika Rao
    Immigrants:  George by Riti Sachdeva
    Lhasa Apso by Roman Sotelo
    Immigrants:  A Story by Rosa Soy
    Immigrants:  A Story by Valery Valtrain
    Immigrants:  Us me vs. Them ME by Widelyne Laporte
    Immigrants:  No, I'm OK

    In Defense of Eddie Huang
    Normalizing Gender Based Violence
    Real History
    Remedial Race Education
    The Math Professor who Gave Me a Back Massage
    What's in a Name?
    Who is Chloe Wang and Does it Matter?
    #YellowFace
    Welcome to the New Normal
    White Supremacy, The Irony of
    Words Matter: Mirror
    Words Matter:  Language


    Reviews
    Airbnb
    Health Care: Forward
    Mirror
    Movies to Watch
    Renovation
    Restaurants


    Travel & Adventure
    Airbnb
    Allergic to Delta
    (aka Allergies and Air Travel)
    Costa Rica
    Eco-Friendly Commuting
    Herbivore in Hawaii

    Kilimanjaro
    Santorini in 4 Parts:
    Santorini I:  When and What to Bring
    Santorini II: The Food
    Santorini III: Adventure
    Santorini IV: Relax and Spa
    SeaWorld:  An Open Letter

    The Maldives
    Traveling and One's Face
    40 before 40
    Vegan in Vail


    Misc Mayhem
    A Despot for the Holidays
    A Lobster Tale
    A Love Letter
    Animal Experimentation

    A Shorter Save the World
    Atonement
    Catching Kindness

    Chemical Catastrophe
    Chemical-Free DIY Household Cleaners
    Christmas Lesson
    Closing the Loop: Plastic and Luxury Bags
    Consumer, Thoughtful
    Ditch the Plastic
    Don't Hurt the Baby - Animal 
    Experimentation
    Don't Let Cruelty Kill Kindness

    Energy 
    Eco-Friendly Commuting
    Friends
    G19:  When Subtracting Adds to the Whole
    Garden/Green Space
    Je Suis Charlie
    Just Noise
    The Knockout Renovation TKO
    Larry Lee on Father's Day
    Movies to Watch

    My Mortifying Victoria's Secret Swimsuit Moment
    No, I'm OK
    Ode to Nice People
    Oils for Your Skin
    Raymond Betit, The Family Man
    Recycling
    Save The World
    SeaWorld:  An Open Letter
    The C Word
    The Safety Pin and the Nazi
    The Soldier Poet
    Upcycled Luxury Totes
    Welcome to the New Normal
    What's in the 
    Water?

    Other Categories

    All
    Acting
    Writing & Producing

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.