Mediterranean Royal Hotel 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 ...

... the fellow said ‘OK – here is hot springs’ and he waved his had vaguely towards the shore’. ‘But how do we get to them?’ ‘You swim’. Yes, through the icy sea water to the shore. This was not part of the plan. The girls got into their swimming costume and Heath stripped off to his boxers and there followed much angst from all parties about whether to brave the conditions.

Of course, as the responsible father I ...

... was getting squashed! Just near there is the Red Beach. This is an impressive location, with towering red cliffs hanging over a beach of black sand and pebbles. We had a bit of a look around and then headed off for our next destination.

I saw a sign saying lighthouse. Ever a sucker for a lighthouse I turned the car in that direction. We came to the far end of the island, yet another location with stupendous views. Although the lighthouse itself is not accessible you ...

... because we walked slowly, took breaks and lots of photos. At times the route is on a cobbled path and at times it’s just a goat track. It climbs up and down and skirts the cliff edge at all times. It really is something to experience. Along the route are dotted a series of picture-perfect chapels. I was disappointed to find them locked though.

Although the walk is only 12 km, its climbs and descents make it very challenging, at least for us and we were completely buggered ...

... have to think about which side of the road you are suppose to be on. Anyway, after getting over the nerves of having to drive on the other side of the road we went out to Perissa beach which is the black sand beach. There is something odd about black sand. It is also really hot to walk on and i can only image how hot it would get in the middle of a hot summers day. We didn't go swimming as the weather has cooled down a bit now but we did work on ...

... I thought the guy was a total jackass and I'm pretty sure he knew and though I was too...so it worked out fine. Eva is the name our boat, although I refuse to refer to the boat as "her" or "she" because that drives me crazy for some reason; probably because I am not a sailor (this is Andy). The boat was very nice, it had two double cabins in the stern and one in the bow (for 6 people total). The two rooms in the middle of the boat had ...

Picturesque & romantic indeed but can't say the beaches were to die for. If anything, they could have killed me as both beaches we visited left me with a sting & sea insect bites. Our 2 days of stay was again enough for this island. Though we didn't leave without some funnies: * Pris & I turned our room into a massage parlour & unfortunately gave Elaine the ...

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We were too tired to climb up the journey, so we took the cable car instead.


















These are some of the fine art works on displayed. I was tempted to try to put on the life size Leonidas helmet :p








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Best part, lunch ...

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We had our dinner onboard the boat. The dinner wasn't that good. It's buffet style, with no tables, and drinks are extra... But the sunset view are magnificent! The sun slowly disappear into horizon, and the colour of the sky slowly change from blue to yellow, to total darkness, till the only light you see are the lights from the caldera.

... the evening. I have now decided that I dont do dust. I refused to ever go to an Earthcore because I dont like dancing in the dust. I dont sleep in the dust and I dont shower in the dust. Guidebooks should tell people that there is no grass here, only dust. I also dont like sleeping in rooms that I cant stand up in. Oh well, live and learn. The good news is that all the while, we could laugh at each other and the situation. The beer and kebab were good too!