Santorini

On Thursday, October 19^th, we reached our first stop, the island of Santorini.  We were transferred from our ship to the little port of Athinios by tender.  The island forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera.  A flourishing civilization existed on the island in the second millennium BC until a volcanic eruption around 1,600 BC destroyed all life on the island.

 

 

 

The scenery was stunning as we drove to the first place we were visiting.  There were lots of stereotypical white houses and churches, some with blue roofs – the ones we think of when we think of Greece.  It was sure frustrating not to be able to capture the landscape in photos.  The ground was volcanic and very rocky with little topsoil.  There were what looked like scrubby little bushes but we found out they were actually grape vines which grow in a circle to protect the grapes from the winds.  I remembered the nice dessert wine from Santorini that I’d had for dinner a few nights ago called Vin Santo. 

The tour began at the archaeological site of Akrotiri.  Excavation began here in 1967 and it has uncovered a Minoan settlement with houses, streets, public squares, and workshops.  Many of the buildings are well preserved, allowing an insight into the ancient civilization on the island.  There is a raised walkway around the roof-covered excavation (still active) so you get a very good idea of what the streets and houses looked like and it appears it was a very advanced civilization.  It is a significant discovery – and I had never heard of it!

Our next destination was the charming village of Oia (pronounced “ee-ah”).  Built on the steep slope of the caldera (the massive bay which is essentially the crater of a volcano), many of the villages houses are nestled in alcoves of volcanic rock and the two story mansions once belonged to wealthy seafarers.  Now, the village is filled with cafes and small shops along the cobble-stoned streets.  The views from Oia are stunning.  Pistachios are a popular product in the shops as those trees grow all over the island.  The picture many have on Santorini in their mind’s eye is of this village.  One of the shops here is called Atlantis Books and it apparently quite famous.  I thought it would be wonderful to come back here and spend more time, staying in one of the lovely hotels dripping off the hillside.  Then, our guide told us that many of the rooms rent for between €600 and €1000 a night!  So, that dream quickly faded – although I want to confirm those prices on booking.com. 



This is a famous English language bookshop here

After lunch at a beachside venue, our excursion concluded at Fira.  Again, the cobble-stoned streets were lined with charming shops and cafes.  This is the village which has the donkeys going up and down the hillside from the port to the village atop the slope.  There is a cable car as an alternative – needless to say, that is what we took! 

 

 

 

View of Fira from the cable car

One interesting thing about the island is that there is a great shortage of water as there is no natural source.  The humidity in the area dampens the surface of the land, much of which is pumice stone.  Because of that, farmers do not have to irrigate their land.  However, for houses, hotels and other buildings, water must be delivered.  Our guide said that she and her family have a water delivery once a month but that some of the hotels require deliveries up to twice a day.  In addition, on the top of most houses and apartments, there are solar panels which I initially thought were for producing electricity like in Germany.  Beside the solar panels are also little tanks and, as it turns out, the purpose of the whole contraption is to provide heated water to the household.  Not only did we see these on Santorini but the following day I noticed they were on most buildings in Crete as well.

 
Back on the ship, Back on the ship, we went to the presentation about the next day’s excursions and then I headed to the Lido Bar for a drink.  Daphne was there and we met another couple named Jane and Mick who are from Derbyshire.  I am really enjoying the people I am meeting.