Santorini

In the morning we went to the Athens Airport to catch the plane for a short flight to the Greek Island of Santorini. We were booked into the Anemopolis Villa, and that would be our home for the next four nights.

After arriving at the small Santorini Airport, we were met by the owner of our hotel with his 10 seater minivan. While he drove us the short distance back to our hotel, he ran an ongoing personal commentary about the effects of the GFC and how bad things were in Greece.

During the conversation, it emerged that he had quite extensive property holdings, including a house in Athens, vineyards and another hotel. He complained bitterly that his taxes had been increased by the Greek Government. Just out of curiosity (and because I am sometimes a bit of a stirrer), I asked him how much tax he actually paid. The answer was around $4,000 a year.

I was astounded at his answer and looked him in the face. "Don't you realise that you are a wealthy man ?", I said. "In any other country you would be paying many times that amount". He did not seem convinced, but it gave me a clear indication of why things in Greece were so bad. Everyone expected the government to give them handouts and generous pensions, but no one wanted to pay any tax at all.

After checking in to the hotel, we had some time to wander the nearby area for our first look at the island. Even at this time of the year, the sun still burnt fiercely, and it did not take long for me to get hot and thirsty. I was glad we were not there in the middle of summer.

Every building in Santorini seems to be painted white, and I gather they are repainted virtually every year. I guess it makes it pretty easy when you need to go to the hardware store to buy some house paint. The colour card would only need a single square - white.Lue lisää