Beautiful Santorini

After seeing so much history and ruins and statues and the list goes on, we are finally on Santorini, which immediately feels like a vacation destination. We anchored out and had to tender ashore using ferries provided by the island. 

As you look up at this volcanic island, you think you are seeing snow on the top of mountains? No, it's all the little villages with their white houses and blue roofs. Our bus ride up from the port was a switchback, steep road - but again the bus drivers are all very experienced. Also, our guide made sure that she spoke nonstop during that twisty-turney ride so as to distract any nervous passengers. We were not nervous!

Our guide was actually from Italy however she came here to visit some 20 years ago and never left. She spoke English fluently and was very bubbly and informative and sweet.

Once we reached the top we were treated to an amazing view of the Caldera (the water area that was formed after the volcano erupted many, many centuries ago). And interesting to note that the very top of the volcano remains (as a smaller island) where you can visit and still see steam rising and bathe in hot springs - we did not choose that tour. 

The volcano is not dead, but it is very quiet and is monitored often by seismologists. The residents here have faith in the technology. But Santorini is subject to many earthquakes - most of them quite small and rarely felt. Santorini sits on the plate between the African and European continents - hence the active shifting of the earth here.

Our first destination was the town of Oia (pronounced ee-ah). Once here, we walked up a bit from the parking area to the town and were given our bearings and then left to explore the many shops and restaurants and to see the famous church with its blue roof that you've seen in many famed pictures of Santorini. While the sky was not as crystal blue as you've seen in those pictures (much humidity or sand blowing from Africa?), the beauty was obvious and the view from the town down to the Caldera below, where our ship was anchored, was breathtaking.

We found a restaurant with an amazing view and enjoyed a small snack along with Santorini White Wine (Betsy) and Greek coffee (Ed). We then wandered the narrow, cobblestone streets, shopping and seeing the view from many different angles, including the view mentioned above. I've shared a few pictures below.

There are two ships in port today and the town was crowded. We cannot imagine what it is like here in the summer months when there can be 4 or 5 ships in port plus visitors on the island. I would not want to be here during the high season.

The weather was sunny with a beautiful breeze - very comfortable for us although a shop owner told us that she felt it was a little too cold for them. Santorini gets a lot of wind as they are an island and the towns are up high, but I'm sure the sun gets intense as well as summer draws near and that breeze is welcome.

We then headed to the town of Thira, which is where we would eventually catch the Cable Car that would take us to the bottom where we would board a tender back to our ship. This would be a different spot than where we first arrived. Probably smart that Santorini does this - you arrive at one port and depart from another - helps with crowd control.

The shopping in Thira was noticeably cheaper than Oia as our guide had told us. But walking in Thira is difficult at times and Ed certainly felt that as we meandered down alleyways and back up again and finally made our way to the cable car. Of course you must walk up, up, up to get the cable car that will then take you down, down, down. Six cars on each side, each holding 6 passengers, and a quick ride once you get seated. 

By the time we returned to the ship, Ed's knee was pretty sore. We also heard from several fellow (older) travelers who had a tough time with all the walking. Betsy had no issues - must be all that pickleball exercise!

Would I return to Santorini? Probably not - too far away and very crowded. They do continue to build here and our guide said that there are many Airbnb's being built. Of course that will only add to the congestion during the tourist season, which runs from May to October, early November.

So glad we were able to see this fabled island but I can enjoy beautiful Caribbean Island or Bermuda and have spectacular views there as well.

Once returning to the ship we were able to have a light lunch and lounge by the pool for most of the afternoon. We did enjoy tea today and had delicious scones! 

A wonderful dinner (the food on board is fantastic), followed by some relaxing time on a lower deck in the atrium area where there was piano music and not too many people. That's where I was able to finish up the two previous blogs and get the posted. The internet connection seems to be stronger down there.

Goodnight for now.... Crete tomorrow