Hiking on the edge, whew!
Trip Start
Mar 18, 2011
1
10
13
Trip End
Apr 02, 2011
Santorini, Cyclades, Greece
Monday, March 28, 2011
Today is partially cloudy so we decided to make the hike from our town of Fira, along the edge of the caldera, through a number of small villages, to Oia which is said to be 12 km. distant. I doubt that factors in the thigh-burning uphills or the gravel-slipping downhills.
Now Susan came prepared: she wore the little black flats with pirate buckles on the top -- the sole as flat as a taco. "I can feel every stone!" At the end, they were shot. The sides were all cut and torn from the volcanic stones. Hummm. We did the walk liesurely over 4 hours to stop and stare at the views along the way. Some hikers -- we only saw 3 -- walked with purpose. I can't imagine doing this "must-do" hike in the heat of the summer sun, with the rocks baking underneath your feet.
As soon as we got a few hundred metres from our hotel, near the outskirts of Fira, we found two dogs following us. Later we learned they were local dogs who seem to do this guiding service often. The little shaggy one we called Spiro (real name Tony); the shepard-cross was Nike. At a fork in the path, we'd hesitate. Spiro, however, was already 30 metres up the correct path and looking back for us. We eventually just trusted his instincts and followed.
The photos attached tell the story: wonderful views you never tire of; a feeling at the end of accomplishment and memories well-laid. A dinner of Santorini salad, fried whole squid, lemon chicken and grilled sea bass with a saucy bottle of white local wine capped a lovely day.
