...And on the topic of birthday posts, this is how we spent mum's big fiftieth.

So after waking up, we drove up to the monastery, which is the highest point on the island of Santorini. We went inside to experience the Eastern Orthodox type of worship, which was extremely new to us.

Santorini: Day 5

Being the annoying sunrise fanatics that we are, we woke up extra early to drive around and find the perfect spot to watch it. The wind was howling and my toes were close to frozen but my gosh, was it worth it. It was nice to appreciate all God's creations; just stop and stare.

After doing so, we went up to Fira to have a hearty breakfast at Diverso Cafe. It's kind of embarrassing to say that we had pancakes and bacon for breakfast while in Greece, but it is what it is. Anywho, no trip to Fira is complete without a visit to our favourite spot.

Santorini: Day 4

Today was kind of a funny story. Mum and I are far from being early risers. Even so, we were up before the sun so that we could catch it in all its glory. We abandoned the comfort of our beds to watch the magnificent sunrise.

Then it was time to travel all the way to Fira because -- low and behold -- we had to cancel our tickets to Mykonos. For one, we were told that Mykonos was a ghost town during the off season and that Santorini's beauty far exceeds the other. Another, Santorini has just spoiled us.

Santorini: Day 3

Even though it may not seem like it, today was a pretty relaxed day. Started the day off with a trip downtown to Fira, to rebook our tickets to Mykonos. We decided to add another night to our stay in Santorini; how could we not? The island's already stolen our hearts and it was impossible not to prolong our visit here.

Then, it was off for a drive down to Kamari beach. Since the picturesque village of Pyrgos was in close proximity, we took a scenic drive around it. Pyrgos is actually located on the highest point of Santorini, so one can only imagine what the view from up there was like. I have such a penchant for quaint towns just like this one, so it was a real treat.

Santorini: Day 2

We finally got to check something off our bucket lists: rent a car in a different country! We got our car first thing in the morning, then drove to Santorini's capital, Fira. I must say, driving from Oia to Fira is indisputably one of the most scenic drives I've ever been on. This definitely gives the Great Ocean Road a run for its money.

So. Fira. Fira means lunch and lunch means Tabasco restaurant. Very very unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos of Fira but I'm sure I have a GoPro video in here somewhere. But anyway, here's a photo of one of the food establishments in the centre of the Fira.

Santorini: Day 1

I believe I failed to mention the reason we went to Greece in the middle of November in the first place. We went here for no other reason than to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday! Hellas is without a doubt the perfect country to celebrate a milestone. Mum's special day is on the 23rd of November, allowing us to spend a whole week in this pristine, uninterrupted island.

On to our first day in Santorini. We were staying in Oia, a village at the tip of Santorini. Oia (pronounced by locals as ee-yah) is the epitome of peace and quiet. In this village resides the iconic blue domes that pop into people's minds the moment 'Santorini' is mentioned. We were lucky enough to book a villa which has a patio overlooking the unbeatable views.

Santorini: Arrival

Right now, I couldn't be happier. No, really. This post may borderline on bragging, but there's a fine line between bragging and narrating in detail. Also, it is more than likely that the word 'happy' will be used more times than humanly possible in this post. Do forgive, as that is the only thing I am feeling right now.

It is around 10 in the evening and I am currently in our white-washed cave house in Santorini which features blue window shutters. Clad in my beloved blue-and-white-striped oversized polo shirt which blends in oh so well with my present setting, I comfortably take my cross-legged position on the couch and start letting the words flow. Honestly, it doesn't get any better than this.

Athens: Day 3

It was written on one of those websites that one must visit the Agora to get a look and feel of Athens. Then you could go on from there.

We totally disregarded this idea.

Upon leaving our apartment in Monastiraki on the third day, the first thing we did was visit the Athens Flea Market. It was such a treat to wander the shop-lined roads and purchase a few knickknacks here and there. Being a football fan, I got a Hellas football jersey for myself. Dad bought himself a Hellas cycling shirt as well.

Athens: Day 2

It was a lazy start for us, it being a Sunday and all. We were exhausted from yesterday's agenda; more than that, we were eager to see what else Athens had in store for us.

In my previous post, it was said that we passed by the Panathenaic Stadium but were too late to actually go in and visit. So today, that was the first place we went.

For most athletes (including myself), it is a lifelong dream to make it at the Olympics. Fortunately for us, we made it to visit the home of the first modern Olympics, which houses just about 45 thousand people. Close enough. Imagine a huge stadium filled with Athenians, all cheering their lungs out for their countrymen. Can you? All I can think off are men and women with vine wreaths on their heads wearing togas, all screaming in Greek for naked men running the marathon (that's how the Games were done before). Anyway, this is my dad and me, sitting on the thrones designated to the king and queen and being a little goofy.

Athens: Day 1

"I am a citizen, not of Athens or Greece, but of the world," the great Socrates once said. Correct as Socrates may be, I must point out that for the week, I am not only a citizen of the world, but a visitor and tourist of Athens as well.

Much like everyone else, the first thing that comes into my mind when the name 'Athens' is mentioned is the Acropolis. Indeed, that was the first thing on our Athenian agenda. Yes, but let me get to that later. Seeing as we couldn't leave our lives behind in the Philippines, my parents and I were up before the sun, working, studying, and catching up on what we've missed back home. It wasn't much of a chore since we could see the lit-up Parthenon outside our apartment window. Then again, barely anything is a chore when you're abroad.