santorini

Santorini Island was home to Mt. Thera and in 1610 BC it erupted with one of the fiercest explosions ever witnessed by man. Archaeologists feel this explosion may have brought an end to the Minoan Civilization due to the tsunamis and temperature declines caused by the massive amounts of sulfur dioxide spewed into the atmosphere. What is left is a thin, 18 mile long, crescent shaped island that almost encircles the massive caldera. Towns cling to the cliffs that soar upward 200 to 300 meters out of the sea.

Now-a-days Santorini is one of the most visited islands in Greece. Most mornings up to four cruise ships steam into the caldera and deposit their passengers. Today we will see the Royal Princess with 4300 passengers and the Celestyal Olympia with another 1500. Most will come to Oia and fill the narrow walkways to the point of gridlock. The first day we were here, four cruise ships were in town and the crowds were overwhelming. The powers to be have actually limited the number of passengers allowed on the island at any one time at 8000. We have quickly learned where to find the cruise ship schedule and to hunker down when they arrive or go somewhere off the itinerary.

Path when passengers return to their boats

Path at Cruise Ship time

Yesterday we hiked from Oia to Fira, opposite direction from what is recommended. Our path had more uphill during the 13 kilometer walk. The route follows the edge of the caldera. You climb three hills and at the top of each is a little church. One must be very devout to attend the services. It was a beautiful hike and we only met a handful of people along the way. One couple was from South Africa and they had just been to Crete, our next destination. We soaked up their recommendations and somewhere along the conversation stream we were convinced that Africa must be moved up on our bucket list.

: One of the few signs that marked the route

: Oia behind us.

: Taking a short rest as we climb the first hill…Oia below.

: Yeah….we completed the first climb!!!

: Our dog friends kept us company for quite awhile

: Up, up, up….maybe that is why the churches are on the tops of the hills…closer to heaven???

: Church at the top of one of the climbs

: New friends from Cape Town, South Africa

: High up on the caldera edge

: Churches along the way

: Fira…our distination

: More of Fira

: Walking through Fira, some staircases look as if they lead you right into the Aegean Sea

: Interesting display board…an old suitcase.

Tomorrow we leave for Crete, the largest of all the Greek islands. Sad to leave Santorini but so excited about visiting the former center of the Minoan civilization.

Doorways

: Doorway

: Our doorway

: Doorway to the sea

: Blue doorway….a popular color

: Ancient doorway

Last Dinner on Santorini…..Ambrosia Restaurant

: Ambrosia Restaurant….a romantic spot, recommended by Giada De Laurentiis

: We got the corner seat….below us only the sea.

: Getting dark…lit by candlelight

: Wine and a view.

: Lamb chops

: Vegetable risotto with asparagus

“It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her.” —Henry Miller

You’ve seen the pictures…that Greek island with the white washed homes and blue roofed churches, all dangling off the cliffs high above an azure Aegean Sea. We’ve had Santorini on our bucket list for a long time. They’ll be no rushing around touring for the next few days. We intend to just soak in the sun and the sights and take a vacation from our vacation, well, most of the time.

We are staying in Oia (pronounced ee a) As always when we stay in one spot for a few days, we seek out the bakery. Up early, we follow our noses to find that unmistakable scent of baking bread. We are led to To Poupvi Bakery, just down by the bus station. They have arguably the best baklava in the entire Greek world. Each morning we set our breakfast table with fresh fruit, Baklava, Greek yogurt, orange juice and a little Ouzo. Great way to start the day.

Here on Santorini, we explored a bit, but mostly just relaxed, soaked up the atmosphere and wandered about. And as we wandered one cannot help but snap a few postcard worthy photographs for this island is so stinking beautiful.