Summer is in full swing and Santorini, as always in August, is buzzing. Planes unloading thousands of people (an inbound flight every 20 minutes), fast ferries running back and forth from Athens and other islands… and of course cruise ships. Santorini gets more cruise ships than just about any other place in Europe… including Venice.
For many it’s their first visit, but for others it’s a much awaited return to the island of their dreams. They all come to experience the magic, the mystique, the secret allure that this island has.
Some will sit quietly and enjoy a coffee…. with a “view”!
This is one of my fave coffee shops in Fira. Coffee is good and although
the view looks like it’s a huge outdoor poster ad for cruise ships…
believe me folks, it’s real !
Below there are all kinds of boats & ships…
Each day bringing thousands of dreamers to the island of romance…
But not everyone sits and stares at the view for hours in Fira. Thousands make their way to Oia daily and in doing so they pass the “wall of love”… where lots of couples stop and leave a small dedication to each other.
It’s a curious thing that happens. Somehow, every summer, love messages start to appear on this black volcanic cliff face. Couples look for white pebbles, or even bring their own and proceed to piece together love messages for all to see.
From the spray painted “I love you” written in Greek, to tiny little hearts with initials… the romantics stop and let the thousands of passers by know of their feelings for one another.
Over the years it has become a wonderful tradition which gives the young lovers a forum to express their feelings to the rest of us. They almost always work on their masterpiece together… kiss upon completion & try to find someone, anyone… to take a photo of them standing in front of it.
Love is grand isn’t it?
Long live the romantics of this world !
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Big thank you to the lovely Carla Coulson for her wonderful piece earlier this week… inspirational words from a woman passionate about her chosen art form. Thanks Carla… enjoy your holiday xx
I hope the “Find your passion” posts will inspire other people to share their passion with all of us as part of this theme. If you have found your passion, or know of someone, please let me know… would love to hear from you!
PS: August is Vedema (harvest) month on Santorini. If you know anything about the wonderful wines of Santorini, or would like to, then don’t miss the next post.
Wave from the cave to all of you ;-)
Oia Santorini... a notebook about life in Oia 
What a beautiful post! It reminds me of a road on the Big Island in Hawaii where it is all black lava for miles, and people leave their names and hearts in white lava pebbles… anxious to hear your next post, my husband is a sommelier and wine is a big part of our lives.
Nathalie
I love this wall of love – because I am an eternal romantic as you have probably figured out already! Wall of love reminds me of the Dire Straits song ,”Tunnel of Love”. I have a feeling I will be humming this all day….xv
how infectious are thoughts Vicki… after reading your comment this morning “Tunnel of Love” kept playing in my mind all day. Haven’t heard it in years till you mentioned it !
Looking forward to telling you all about Santorini wine Nathalie.
great post, i can imagine those settings would inspire romance! i really love the pics of the cafe, it reall gives you the sense of being there. i can’t get enough of the architecture! the mosaic the floor in the cafe, the ruff hewn door enterance, metal railings on the patio and of course those amazing roof tops… amazing… good stuff…
Hi Doctor Feelgood –
That’s you. You always lift my spirits. Thanks for the invite – It would be my pleasure to do a bit of ‘guest’ styling on Santorini. Perhaps next year – honestly. In the meantime – I love Greek wines…Retsina, Roditys. Tell me more. See you next post.
Catherine
Oh WOW what a view !!!
overwhelming !
must fall in love with that place or with the person visiting this place….