Clio Hotel Perissa

... for me.

Ancient Thira is well worth a visit. Perched impossibly on top of a mountain of pure rock it looks out to a view to forever. It’s not hard to imagine the reasoning behind setting a city up this high, even though it must have made life very challenging for the inhabitants. Wandering around the ancient laneways poking in and out of the ruins of houses thousands of years old made me wonder what life must have been life for the original inhabitants ...

There are simple ways of getting to Oia (or Ia as it is also know and how you pronounce it), such as bus, taxi or hire car. But who needs simple? I had read as part of my research about the wonderful walk between Fira and Oia and I thought we'd give it a try. Loading up the backpack with some supplies (but forgetting water of all things) we set off through the town of Fira which seamlessly turns into Firostafani. Along the way there are so many photo opportunities to get pretty pictures of ...

... and also strange that they needed to sleep first thing in the morning (presumably having slept all night).

We had a smooth(ish) trip, playing cards and practice with jacks to while away the hours. Highlights including visiting Paros, Naxos and Ios along the way, watching the loading and unloading of the ferry as we went. We arrived at the port of Santorini pretty much on time. Sailing into the caldera (the large bay left after a volcanic explosion 3500 ...

... by a single local man, fairly small and wearing a straw-like cowboy hat. He had a sort of twinkle in his eye when he smiled that reminded us of friendly Turkey. He was very kind and soft-spoken and ended up winning us over and we got a free ride to his hotel in the town of Perissa. It was a nice little hotel and we were pleased to have a TV with 1 or 2 English channels as well as a fridge. The swimming ...

... out for Ryan, who was being scolded by an old Greek woman who actually lived in this "cave-like" dwelling, and both had scared each other. This woman gave Ryan a good stink eye and Ryan retreated with his tail between his legs - but got the cool shot! Ryan is always getting yelled at by cranky old women because he sneaks up on their roofs and door posts to try to grab that EXTRA shot to beat Laurie. We loved this little town of Emporio and spent quite a bit of time ...

... starter, fish soup to share, and Ai Ling had cod fish and I have rabbit. Nope, the rabbit is not enough for me...












The sign of the restaurant is pretty well decorated in the stone wall.

















Awww..... the night view of the Caldera...