Villa Odyssey Santorini

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 ...

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 ...

... all changed in 1650 BC when there was a massive eruption and the center (crater) of the island sank into the ocean taking early civilizations along with it. Other explosions led to the smaller islands surrounding Santorini.

Once on the island we hopped a bus which took us to Fira, the main city on Santorini. From there we hopped on another bus to Oia where we’re staying. It’s supposed to ...

... Surronding all of this is pure, sky-blue water. My first day in Santorini I explored a little and caught up on sleep. On my second day I took an all day boat tour of the islands, visiting the volcano, ancient Thirasia and watching a gorgeous sunset in Oea. Tomorrow morning I leave for Ios, then possibly one more island before I head back to Athens to catch a bus to Corfu.

... they had put a roof over it, but I think the roof collapsed, so they’re trying to fix that, so it’s closed. But it might be the ancient Atlantis society – it’s possible. Also possible is that in the caldera, which is incredibly deep, so the city might be there. They’ve never gone down far enough so determine for sure. Actually the last day there, as we were taking the bus to the port, one of the people from the hostel told us how a cruise ship sank about ...

... quite comical. We toured them to all the sites we had explored the previous day and then called it a day. Day 3 we dropped them off in Ia while Henry and I navigated the stairs and donkeys down to the ferries for a day trip to Santorini's volcanic caldera. We had a full day on the sea and hiking the crater and another island. We met up with Chad & Jackie in Ia for supper and to enjoy the world famous, not to be missed sunset.

... far below and watching huge passenger liners cruise merrily and silently about like model ships at the town park. As a side bar to this, our host, Billy Brown, who used to work in Hamilton, told us about watching the sinking of the Sea Diamond cruise ship several months ago from this very spot. The jury is still out on how its Captain allowed the tragedy to occur, but the ship struck rocks as it entered the lagoon and sank just off Thera. We were supposed to be ...

... 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 ...