Santorini

dawn

Our captain has been early getting to and leaving every single port, so, hearing a change in the steady noises of the engine, I got up to find that we were inside the caldera at Santorini, almost ready to stop.  This was a tender port, so we were anchored about 1000 yards away from the old port.

tender leaving as we head in

Fira, above the old port

cable car system

Santorini is a volcanic island.  A big eruption caused much of the island to sink.  And what is left, has people living at the top of large cliffs facing the caldera, or at sea level on the backside of the island.  Long, winding roads go to and from the pier areas, and for the old port the tourists rely on a cable car system.

Knowing Scott hates heights, I booked a “beat the cable car” tour that transferred everyone over from the old port to the new on a large water taxi.  There we boarded our mini buses and headed out to explore.  The new port has the same switchback road system, but it’s a little wider and well maintained, since all the goods and services have to use it to get anywhere on the island.

new port from above - see the switchbacks

We first went up to Fira (on the hill directly over the old port. 

blue domed church

Oia marina from overlook

Our second city was Oia (that’s said eya – in Greek oi = e).  Oia is the ultimate tourist destination.  

bell tower atop Oia

trail along montain top

the crowds going to prime selfie spots

stairs down to city square

Most single family homes have been converted to air b n bs apartments or hotels.  Even the once famous windmills of Santorini are now vacation rentals.

famous Santorini windmills

Many of the churches have blue domes.  There are roughly 1500 churches for a population of around 20,000. Our guide said most are privately owned because there are some tax advantages.  The local government requires homeowners to pay for getting electricity to their house, but if you builf a church first, the government pays for getting telephone, electricity and water to the church. 

From Fira-Oia road looking down to sea level

We finished up our tour with a visit to a typical Santorini village and then on to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. 

restaurant right on black sand beach

restaurant mascot donkey

Donkeys do alot of things in Santorini.  They haul food and material from the ports up the hills to the towns above.  (Of course they were offering donkey rides to all the cruise passengers.)  During the wine harvest, donkeys with big baskets are used to haul grapes.

headed back to ship

That's all for now.

We dock in Athens tomorrow.