Day 20 - Naxos to Santorini

Espresso Freddo: 1

Woke up this morning to discover it was raining!  This is not how the Greek islands are supposed to be when one is on holiday.  Apparently it was the first rainy day this autumn.  Fortunately it had stopped by the time we headed the port to catch the ferry to Santorini.  We got there 30 minutes early and then it was 20 minutes late.

While we were waiting we were "entertained" by a busker playing an oboe.  The only words to the song he knew were "Oh, oh, oh, Maria" and then a bar or two of the tune.  Some people gave him money but I suspect it was just in the hope he would stop playing and go away.

The ferry was a car ferry but only a few cars left when it arrive at Naxos.  Instead, in order to make up time, we were all herded up the car ramps and then they were raised and we set sail, while we were all still milling about trying to work out where to leave our suitcases.  Getting off at Santorini was equally hasty.

Santorini is mind-boggling.  This whole collection of islands was once one big round island before the volcano blew up and created this massive crater.  It is impossible to visualise how massive it must have been.  The sides of the caldera are just so high and steep and the sea in the centre so large.

 

We were met at the port by our driver and tour guide, Alex.  He was mid-way between Aris and Nikos.  He had good English, was knowledgeable and chatty but only talked when there was something to say.  

Today we had a half-day tour of the island before checking into our hotel.  Our first stop was Megalchori where we saw a cave house.  Apparently, in the past, many houses were built into the rock rather on the cliffside.  Partly because they were easier to construct but also because they keep cool in the hot summer months.  The one we went to was quite large, with two bedrooms, a kitchen, toilet, big living space and stabling for animals.

Next stop was one of the famous black beaches, so-called because the sand is actually pulverised volcanic rock.  Everything here is either grey (volcanic ash) or black (volcanic rock).  We had the beach largely to ourselves because of the weather.  In better weather, you could have had a brief swim but we took the obligatory photos and moved on.

After this we went to Pyrgos which is a very pretty village.  This is Alex's home town and he was a little disappointed in us for not being more impressed.  However, this is the fourth island we've visited and they are all full of pretty villages.  Here we climbed up to the castle at the top of the village to marvel at the views.  They are well worth marvelling over.

We then were driven to Oia, with a few more stops along the way to admire views and take more photos.  Oia is an amazing place, with buildings scattered down a steep slope and with others cut into the rock.  Alex let us putter around here for a bit over an hour.  

I'm not sure what you can actually do in Santorini other than admire views, do a little shopping or just lounge by a pool with a drink.  I guess there are worse ways to spend a holiday. 

There is an site near a town called Akrotiri which is the ruins of a bronze age settlement that was destroyed when the volcano blew up.  We are visiting it tomorrow.  It should be fabulous.  There are 2 and 3 storey buildings that have been uncovered.

The only problem is that it is about a 20 minute drive from where we are in Thira/Fira.  There are local buses but they don't run at convenient times.  We asked at a local tour/transfer company how much it would cost to drive us there.  They said it was very far and would take about an hour and cost 75 euro.  On the other hand Uber says it would take about 20-30 minutes and cost 40 euro.  There is a reason why Uber is popular.

I am writing this in the sitting room of my suite in our hotel, Aria Lito Mansion.  My suite has spacious bathroom, enormous bedroom and comfortable sitting room.  In addition to the door to my suite, there are doors from the sitting room to the pool area.  It is a shame the weather isn't better.  I brought a bathing suit with me but have never felt the need for it.  To properly enjoy this suite, I feel I should be able to spend time lounging by the pool, in my bathers, sipping a drink.

Perhaps tomorrow the weather will be better.  I can dream.