Day 15: Crete, Here We Come!
Friday, August 7th, 2026
Today’s blog is brought to you by Aliyah from Ms. Ramos’ class!
Kalimera!
Today was our last day in Santorini, and I think it’s safe to say it felt bittersweet saying goodbye. On the other hand, it was also a very special day because we celebrated a birthday! We decorated her door and made sure she felt extra special before our last few hours in Santorini.
After class, a number of us stopped at a local Greek restaurant for lunch. We enjoyed some of the most delicious food. We tried souvlaki, Greek-style burgers, pasta, and fries, and everything was absolutely amazing. It was the best way to enjoy one last local meal before saying goodbye to Santorini.
After lunch, we went back to pack up all of our things. While we waited for the bus to arrive, we relaxed by the pool. Some of us played cards while the other half played with kittens. Chicken, Reeses and Toes may have had a sugar rush by the time we left, but enjoying those last precious moments with those kittens felt necessary.
By late afternoon, we made our way to the ferry. Surprisingly, the ferry ride felt so quick this time! I think we’re finally getting used to travelling by ferry and moving from island to island. Before we knew it, we had arrived in Crete! We spent the hour-long bus ride to our hotel looking out at the beautiful scenery around us, and, of course, having lots of girl talk along the way. It was so fun watching the scenery change from city to mountain back to city as we made our way through Crete, knowing that this would be our home for the next week.
Once we arrived, we settled in before heading down for our first buffet dinner in Crete. To celebrate the birthday girl, we had chocolate cake, gave her gifts, and surprised her with a card from all of us. It was such a sweet way to celebrate her 17th birthday. After dinner, we went on a walking tour around our new town. We explored the streets, took in the nightlife, and did some shopping along the way. It was the perfect first impression to set the vibes high for the rest of our time here.
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After a busy week with lots of class time and assignments, everyone is looking forward to the weekend and all the adventures still to come.
Bertan
Program Manager
