Day Eight

Trip Start Sep 05, 2010

Trip End Oct 24, 2010

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Flag of Greece Santorini, South Aegean, Greece
Sunday, October 3, 2010

What an amazing day! From the moment the Captain opened up the focsle deck so that we could watch the sunrise with hot chocolate and coffee as we entered the caldera until the Greek-style barbecue on deck at sunset, the day was full of breathtaking views. Santorini is a crescent shaped island surrounding a volcanic caldera where the island of Thira sank in an explosion in 1450 BC. The villages are perched on top of steep cliffs and after being taken ashore by tender we had the choice of a cable car or a donkey ride to the top, or climbing up

We took the teleferique to the top and then a local bus to the picture postcard little town of Oia where I think the classic travel poster pictures of Greece must have been taken

sunrise over the caldera

. It was full of little shops and cafes and art galleries. Only drawback was that with two other cruise ships in port, it was also full of tourists...... However, we had a lovely wander around, finding an excellent and quieter restaurant with a view over the harbour for lunch. Somewhat bemused to see a dozen Chinese couples in the main square having a mass wedding! Talk about a global culture! After getting back to Fira and a quick visit to an internet cafe we headed back to the ship; however, the line up for the teleferique was insanely long so we decided to walk down - 587 broken cobbled winding steps strewn with donkey manure and polished with age etc. with donkeys crowding past every now and then. I was never so pleased to reach level ground! And to have a good shower the minute I got back to the ship!!

Tomorrow Turkey!

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