Delfini Ii Fira

Our relaxed schedule meant that we had one last day to enjoy what Fira could offer. We visited the museum that houses the finds from Akrotiri – lots of pottery and some interesting wall paintings. A small gold animal figurine was particularly impressive. The museum is modern and well displayed, but as we were the only visitors there we didn't really enjoy the personal security supervision that followed us from exhibit to exhibit like a distrustful overseer.

As we ...

... was much easier and we met up with the rest of our party and got back to the ship with minutes to spare.

The next stop was the hot springs, and after visiting Rotorua in New Zealand and Dalyan and Pamukkale in Turkey I was looking forward to it with some anticipation. We sailed from one volcanic island to the smaller one right beside it. We reached another cove and tied up to a buoy. I figured we were transferring on to a smaller boat to take us to shore ...

We had previously made some enquiries in the town about hiring a car and found one for just 20 Euros per day –what a bargain! So after a leisurely breakfast in front of the endless caldera view we headed off to hire the car. We started out for Akrotiri, the ancient village that was buried by ash thousands of years ago. Unfortunately it was closed and had been for some time following a roof collapse that killed a tourist. I was kind-of glad that it was closed if the ...

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 ...

... getting feed, I think. And we did have to watch our step or else you would be taking home a memento from the island on your shoes. We loved Santorini and would love to return at a later time to really enjoy the island. For dinner,we sat with a couple from Sarasota, Florida. It was very enjoyable to learn how they lived in Florida and the hardships they have to put up with (sweating while putting up the Christmas lights)!

... whether they had Fire in the Sea, a book about the volcano, its geology and the history of Santorini and vicinity. This had been highly recommended by our volcano guide. The Atlantis did have it but in *************ly, since it was an academic book, and it cost half of what it was listed for on Amazon, according to the staff. I later found Amazon prices ranged from $93 to $165, so I didn't get it cheap nor was I overcharged, but it is out of print and ...

... the tip of the island for the sunset. Everyone else had the same idea, as the town of Oia is "the sunset point." Shops lined the main pedestrian walkways and whitewashed hotels blended with the town as a whole, which dripped white into the caldera below. The sun descended behind old windmills, now pitturesque skeletons adding to the mood and belying an older economy with roots in the wind and soil. Once the sun disappeared ...

Today, we decided to get up early to watch the sun rises from the black sand beach. We had to get up by 5:00!! @_@












We waited and waited, and we still couldn't see the sun even though the surroundings are a little brighter already.














Well, I might ...

... also concerned. The RBC visa guy is very helpful and I get a bump of credit until the 14th. The transaction goes through and not a moment too soon. I am off to Greece boys. The flight is nice, i get a small sandwhich and a bottle of water. I am also treated to an episode of the Simpsons - the Stonecutters one. "I know, we could reinact the Civil War with monkeys... hehehe. What harm can come from that? Unless the monkeys turn on people, which they most certainly will" My first ...

... ordered too much food. The sandwich was hugh! We could have had the sandwich or the meze platter. We also had 2 house wines and 2 beers. $14. Porphyra On the waterfront Phone: 23410 Credit cards accepted Prior to getting to this restaurant, Tony noticed one of the transformers on an electric pole was sparking. He said, "that's not supposed to do that." Well, just as we got to the restaurant, the power went out for the whole ...