Last night we really felt the wind and the water...first you wonder if you've had too much to drink, then you wonder if your heels are too high, then you figure out its just the ship moving. When I got back to the stateroom I immediately felt like I was 16 again trying to be as quiet as I could so as not to wake my mother up...some things never change, she was asleep with one eye open just like when I was a teenager. We just got a major case of the giggles - which only made my not being able to sleep because of my excitement even worse. Santorini has been on my list of place I want to see for a very long time.
We boarded our tender early and headed to Athinos port. There we got on a bus (Mercedes - now thats yet another new experience) and headed up to the village of Oia (pronounced eeeee-ahhh) This is not a drive for anyone afraid of heights - we will not be repeating the error of putting Mom next to the window any more during the day. Along the way you see all the layers of lava , lots of blacks and reds. Volcanic activity is what created santorini - and destroyed Atlantis - really awe inspiring. Oia was one photo opportunity after the next - its all of the images you think of when someone says Greek Islands. White buildings, blue domes, doors and windows of all shapes and colors - so amazing. You can also look down to the center of the Caldera - the water filled crater created by the volcano that all of the santorini islands surround. Originally houses were built into the cliffs - and that architecture is still here today. Totally breathtaking.
Next we wound are way up to the the highest peak of Santorini for a few more photos. Along or journey we were told that thyme and oregano grow in the wild here? It wasnt the season - but I can just imagine the scents. So I took photos while Mom waited safely in the bus (along with probably a third of the others in our group!). From up here you can see all of Santorini! Next we were onto the village of Pyrgos- the traditional village in Santorini. The streets here are like a labyrinth - designed to confuse the enemy. It was beautiful, and incredibly confusing. Even with the blue arrows painted on the stairs and paths it was easy to get turned around - but the views and the sights were just fantastic.
Our next stop was a greek food tasting - a little of everything and really delicious. Back down to the main village called Fira. The views of course were amazing, but the shops - ok I don't believe I've ever seen so many jewelry shops in one place. Each street turned into 2 or 3 others and one window was more sparkly than the next. What restraint I showed - which considering that some of these pieces were a good year's tuition wasnt as hard as I'd like you to believe. But the designs were truly unique and it was fun to see much. The thing with all of the shops is that the way to actually get back down to the port of Fira is that you have to go past them all - smart dont you think?!
Now there are 3 ways to get down to the port. The first is to take a donkey. Cute donkeys - they passed by us...complete with that lovely eau de donkey scent. This was not really an option to us. That leaves the next option - walking down all the steps - nope, rule this out - the steps or path you go down is the same one that the donkeys use - I'll leave the minefield reference to your imagination. Finally there is the cable car - so now we balance the donkey issue with the Sylvia fear of heights issue - round of applause for my mother who not only rode the cable car down, but actually didnt give it a second thought!
Back on our tender to the ship. Tonight we had an early dinner and will head to bed on the early side - jet lag and sleep deprivation win out. I think that this is a day that will speak louder in photos than my typed words - truly I am at a loss.
A few observations to share:
1. Greek and Geek are quite similar - perhaps my affinity and joy at being here has something to do with this?
2. I am quite certain that the stairmaster was invented by someone of Greek heritage - this place is ALL stairs and steps!
3. I have seen jewelry, pottery, glass, statuary, food items but NO YARN yet!
Tomorrow Rhodes!
