Epavlis Kamari

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 ...

... let out a shriek – I told myself it was in pure joy. Georgie followed shortly after and the three of them set off swimming toward the shore hoping to find the hot springs that were promised. As we waited on the boat we heard more shrieks and moans from the direction they had gone. At one point I thought I heard a blood-curdling scream, but it turned out to be a resident rooster.

After about ten minutes we saw them on their way back. They got back into ...

... different from ours. I wonder what they would make of our world.

In the remainder of the day we had a stroll around Pyrgos, the girls had a splash in the black sands of Kamari Beach and we headed back to Ammoudiou Bay, stopping for some late lunch at the restaurant Nikoy, perched literally on the side of a cliff. Stunning views and nice food.

We reach Oia again as the sun was setting and had a lovely half hour or so strolling around Ammoudia Bay and the trail ...

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 ...

... in Oia is The Starwood Mystique part of the Starwood Hotels group. All bedrooms are suites with their own swimming pools. Away from these villages on the caldera there are some other good locations. Starwood ...

... Quintara and Rivera. The husband then said his grandparents lived for years (and died while living in) a house between Quintara and Rivera -- the house next to my cousin's! I did ask everyone and to our knowledge, none of us knows Kevin Bacon. . . Tomorrow we head on to Naxos. We are very sad to leave Santorini but we look forward to seeing another island. And, of course, new cats.

... over us to see. Beside us at the other front table was another (Australian!) couple trying to eat their dinner through the people and we were just starting to get really sick of them (Hey! This is our sunset, go find your own!) when the waiters started shifting them off (I think it might have had something to do with the fact that the people behind us ordered a 120 euro bottle of champagne!) so we could eat in peace. We got a 'greek appertisers' platter and it came out with ...

... ll be able to procreate any further.
Look at the amount of mule waiting for us!!








We decided against riding it down, but we want to take a picture of us riding the mule.











This is how Ai Ling look like at the beginning of the journey, and this is how I look like half way ...