Santorini is an amazing and interesting place. The small townships on the island are all built around the rim of a extinct volcano which provides a spectactular view of the regions waters and the inner crater area. The sea entered the crater at a time when the craters edge was destroyed but now provides this amazing setting.
Our hotel/apartment is one of the hundreds seemingly built into the rockface of the crater wall. Supposedly 4 star, it in no way matches a similar 4 star hotel in Australia though. When we were picked up from the ferry on arrival, our driver drove us in zig zag fashion all the way up the cliff face to the ridge line. The ferry we could still see was almost vertically below us. A couple of other cruise ships were anchored as well and we have since found they arrive here early morning, send their guests inland for the day and take off again in the evening.
Anyway a 20 minute drive or so put us at a point where our drive just indicated – “down that alley” so off we trundeled with our bags in tow. We were met at the doorway to the apartments by the lady manager/whatever and shown down one set of steps to our room – almost a room built into the face of the cliff, very basic but WOW what a spectacular view. Down another 3 sets of steps (all outdoors, and steps not stairs!) to a bar area – well 3 little tables and chairs and a drink if you asked for one – no bar person – just this same lady. Seems that she and one young girl do what needs to be done and that’s it.
This whole area of Santorini is really only ideal for people who do not have bad legs or kneess. it really is an up and down, round and round and continual maze of steps, alleys and white and blue walls and doorways. Very intriguing. Our knees are now well exercised even if no other part of us is!!
Yesterday we walked up hill and down dale through cobbled alleys, to the local area of “Fira” – fortunately most of it downhill where the bulk of the cruise folk seem to visit. Well that was an understatement – they were in their droves!! I think most were bussed up to the township but there was an option of a cable car up or a donkey ride. The donkey ride was obviously popular as well by the number of donkeys we could see saddled up ready to assist a weary traveller!!!! Sorry Alicia – Kemm’s not doing the donkey ride!!
Anyway we (or should I say “I”) managed a little shopping then we grabbed a cab to take us further around the ridge to the next village called “Ia”. We had previously spoken to a lady from Melbourne now living here withe her Greek husband, and she suggested it should be one of the things we really needed to do whilst on the island. It has a reputation as one of the 10 prettiest villages in the world and it certainly was. Not everything was blue and white, some places were mud brick colour, other variations of blue, golds, brown etc. The gale force winds and rain didn’t help our visit – I could hardly even hold the camera still!! We did manage to find a lunch spot though which was literally right on the cliff edge (as they all seem to be here) and on a fine day would have been beyond spectacular! The sunsets here are known to be amazing as well but as yet we haven’t quite seen a sunset!!!! The wind yesterday was something else! This place is known for it’s wind but boy, the supposedly sheltered waters way down below were kicking up a storm!
Eventually got a cab back from Ia, not an easy thing to do anyway as it is at the end of the island and every man and his dog wants a cab back as well so a little waiting and quiet stewing amongst those waiting as to who was next were part of the process!! We actually jumped into a cab by sharing with another couple whilst groups of 3 and 4 just had to wait their turn! Ho hum!! Reminded me of a similar cab line at Atlantis in Dubai which is also way out at the end of a line in the middle of nowhere. Thing to learn here is to pay for a cab to wait for you then you are assured of a ride back. But depends of course on how long the lunch is going to be!
Quiet afternoon was had – too much wind, rain and cold to do much else and thank you Darren – those 20 odd episodes of “The Unit” have come in very handy for playing on the laptop.
Lovely morning today (not!) Power AND water are off for no-one knows how long. I’m writing this under battery power, Kemm has run out of books to read, can’t have a shower, can’t flush the loo (which means can’t do too much!!!) and oh no!!! haven’t had a coffee yet and it’s 10am!!! We would probably have to walk 2kms to find any power such are the emanities on the island. There are literally hundreds of tiny accommodation villas and apartments all spread up and down the cliffside. I would hate to be down the lower half as that would mean lugging the big bag back up!!! We left one big bag back in Athens as we have another 2 nights there on return. From there we head to Abu Dhabi for 2 nights then it’s home next week! The old story – rather looking forward to that big king size bed and comfy mattress. plus the cuddly white puppy dog of course!!! I have asked Alicia if I can borrow him when I get home for a bit – (but only for 10 days Alicia then you can have him back again….. tell you more later.).
Well the morning is over, we wandered down the hill to “Fira” where all the “cruise creatures” create an economy for the locals – as well as us – Asked the shop owner (of somewhere I spent some money at!!), for a good restaurant in the vicinity to which he immediately pointed to one 2 doors along and upstairs – the best Greek meal we’ve had! Kemm is into the calamari and octopus, I’ve been having souvlaki, squid, whole fish and what surprises us is that the local white wines are not half bad either!
There were 4 ships in port this morning, a couple of quite big ones so probably around 3000 odd people extra for the local shops to absorb. However from our apartment we have watched a couple of them steam out of town late this afternoon whilst on our balcony watching our first Santorini sunset – an okay one but nothing to write home about! (mmmm….funny that….).
Till next time….
