There is a unique allure about the Greek Islands. Uncomplicated, yet full of elegance and sophistication, the inherent natural beauty and rich culture are perfectly complimented by the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Climbing up a narrow cobblestone street towards the summit, the thought of exploring the unknown treasures of the island stirred my heart with childlike enthusiasm. Walking along, admiring the white washed buildings precariously hugging the cliff face, my attention was caught by a splash of colour. Located on the cliff face overlooking the ocean, almost hidden, was a stone building with its white washed walls and blue staircase. Pausing, I admired the simplistic and elegant beauty of an era that my heart deeply yearned for.
The old town’s cobblestoned paths meandered through whitewashed buildings, ascending towards the cliff. Reaching the summit, I looked out towards the ocean, overwhelmed at how effortlessly the magnificent splendour of creation blended beautifully with the elegant creativity of mankind. A white staircase ascended towards an abandoned windmill, simple yet striking to behold. It was as if time had stopped, reminiscent of a bygone era uncomplicated, yet timeless in beauty.
The precious jewels in our life are not wrought of metal and stone, but forged from ones life experiences of people and places, that have opened our mind, stirred our heart and enriched our soul.
The simplistic beauty of white washed walls and blue domed churches forever beckons at the doorstep of ones heart, when one dares to experience the splendour of Santorini
A rugged path hewn out of solid rock meandered its way down the quaint old town. Various paths, as if out of a children’s fairytale seems to pop up when least expected to my delight. Turning back, I was struck by the brilliant blue widow shutters contrasted against a faded stone wall. Pausing for long moments, I pondered how the architecture blended beautifully with the sky and land, simple, rugged yet naturally beautiful.
Gazing out towards the endless beauty of the Aegean Sea, I slowly looked back. The simplistic beauty of a white domed church perched on the cliff edge overlooking the town was at once perfectly balanced with the warmth of the morning sun and blue sky. The beauty of Greece experienced in my travels pierced me with profound clarity. This ancient land and its people, despite many hardships over the centuries, had the courage to treasure its traditions and gift of hospitality. It seemed that adversity was balanced by a spirit of hope and fortitude. The character of the nation was reflected in the land and its architecture; faded and worn yet proud, warm and truly beautiful to behold.
Walking along the path overlooking the ocean I peered over the whitewashed sea wall. Carefully embracing the domed church and buildings perched along the cliffside, it extended beyond as far as the eye could see. In reverie I gazed for a long time at the simplistic architectural beauty of the church before peering over the wall. White wisps of clouds floated effortlessly across Heaven, contrasted with such amazing beauty against the blue skies and water. The gentle lapping of distant waves below, mingled with the cool wind upon my face created a profound sense of immense joy within the depths of my soul. As if from an inner silence words slowly formed with within my mind
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”
The climb down the sheer cliff face was arduous; high steps hewn out of solid rock wound their way down to the cave house overlooking the caldera. A beautiful view overlooking the brilliant blue of the aegean immediately transfixed me in a state of reverie. Looking back from our track I paused in a moment of profound awe. “The simplistic beauty of the white washed stone walls, contrasted against the beautiful blue domed churches were amazing to behold”. I was immediately transported back to a time far gone, yet mesmerising in its simplistic beauty.
Passing down a narrow cobblestone street I suddenly veered left towards the ocean, winding my way down a narrow staircase. The thought of exploring the unknown stirred my heart with childlike enthusiasm. Looking back from whence I came, I looked upon a windmill. Located on the cliff face overlooking the ocean, its white washed walls manifested a simplistic beauty contrasted against the blue sky. The wind swept clouds formed a beautiful mosaic adorning heaven itself. A lone figure perched atop a cliff face, I felt a sense of profound peace in that moment of solitude.
