Dream Island Hotel 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 ...

... we could say we had done it and then take the cable car back up – it is 300 meters of sheer cliff after all.

We started out walking through the narrow alleys of Fira town, heading downwards. On the way we had to squeeze past donkeys that were working for a living, carry the building rubbish away from a worksite where some renovation work was being done. The donkeys are loyal workers and are decorated with bells and beads, so you can hear them as they ...

... port of call was the church at Imerovigli where we had been told by Thanes there was a celebration in honour of Saint Nicholas (this being both Sunday and the feast of Saint Nicholas). Well we headed up there, parked the car and found that we would have to enter the church to be involved. Feeling like we were intruding we decided not to go in. It was great though to see the smiling faces of the congregation as it broke up, all carrying with pride the pieces of bread the ...

... buildings with stunning caldera backdrops that you will need another memory card. It took us almost an hour to reach the village of Imerovigli, another town perched impossibly on the top of the cliffs. Although there was nothing open in this town except the supermarket, this allowed us to get the water we needed (but not the coffee stop we craved...)

We were told that the walk to Oia is two hours, but the literature (once we read it) said 3 hours. We took more than four ...

... amazed, the port and surrounding area was absolutely beautiful. We found a hotel in Paradise, a beach town outside of Hora (the main town). It was perfect. When we arrived we immediately put on our bathing suits and headed down to the beach - we spent four hours lying in the sun that afternoon! It was perfect! When we got back to our hotel, we met some of the other people staying there. One guy, Nick, from Brisbane, Australia convinced us to rent a 4-wheeler on Saturday. So ...

... of them gathered around us in a semi-circle speaking in rapid-fire Greek to each other, trying to sort things out. One got on a cell, and then the others told us to "go with him". We really had no idea what was happening, it was so fast. We hesitatingly followed the guy but stayed a few paces back. He got into a van and drove up to us, telling us to get in. He could see the uneasiness in our faces and explained that he is a friend of the man who was supposed to be there and he was ...

... while sun bathing :p
















In the evening, we went to Selene for dinner. This is the most expensive meal throughout our trip! The ambient was quite nice, but the food is nothing to shout about. I guess we prefer the gyros to Greek fine dining...







We have each a mussel for a ...

... somewhere there...

















By lunch time, I drove all the way to Oia. The sunset here is supposed to be very nice. But since we are going to for the boat ride tonight, I thought we might as well pay a visit here in the afternoon and see it first. And of course, nothing special in the scenery during the ...

... on sunloungers in the sun, we didn't stay long though and headed out to the light house at the tip of the south end of the island, which had some of the best views yet! We climbed out over the rocks and you could see the layers of ash and pumice sitting ontop of the harder rock from previous eruptions, time and wearther had worn it away in crazy overhangs and Dr suess like shapes, with Dr Suess like spiky plants and herbs growing all over ...

... hanging octopus (KAYE OUZERI TO LIMANAKI, which is just to the left of the Grotta Tours office). It was absolutely delicious! We enjoyed grilled octopus as well as grilled calamari along with some local white wine. Most of the diners were locals, which is always a good sign. We chatted with one couple at the next table who were visiting from Paros. They own a home in Paros and go there every year for 2-3 months. How nice! They were ...