Cruising caldera, walking volcano, sunset off Oia
Trip Start
Sep 14, 2009
1
13
15
Trip End
Sep 29, 2009
Santorini, Cyclades, Greece
Monday, September 28, 2009
Before we left Oz, we had pretty much decided on what were the priorities for us to see in each country, and had pre-booked many excursions, etc. Whilst at Santorini this time (the first time we had pretty much been exhausted after 5 weeks of prior travel, and had simply relaxed marvelling at theviews of the caldera for 3 x days!), we had decided on one of several cruises available.
People we knew had been on one previously & thoroughly enjoyed it, however Sandy is not a good traveller at the best of times due to an inner ear imbalance condition, and the sight of choppy seas in a quite stiff breeze made us both a little cautious
early morning arrival of yet another cruise ship
. We walked to the cabel car station & enjoyed the smooth & quick descent down the 700ft cliffs to the old port in preparation for meeting our cruise vessel.....great views and not having to walk 588 x steps won us over!Once on board the boat (which resembled a small timber pirate ship, complete with side cannons!), we headed straight across to Nea Komeni, the volcanic centre-piece of Santorini. Next came a 2km hike up a path consisting of loose volcanic rock (similar to pumice-stone), and one which featured a stop about every 500m where the guide explained a little more history concerned with the original massive eruption/explosion which formed the unique shape the island has had ever since.
Once wereached the highest point on the small volcano, I took a good 360 degree video of the surrounding island outer limits, and we made our way back down to the ship. On the way down, we were shown evidence of the volcano's simmering molten magma sitting approx 1500m below sea level, and escaping sulphur gases indicated that the activity is not completely over! Scientists have in fact predicted precisely where the next outlet of lava will probably issue forth from (timeline unknown)...that being about 30m off the edge of the volcano centre, and under the sea! We were able to put our hands carefully near some of these escaping gases, where they have been measured at 88 degrees Celcius....very warm indeed!
The ship sailed around the actual centre volcano of Nea Kameni to another small island sitting adjacent, where we anchored some 80m off-shore and were given the choice to swim ashore to experience the "hot-springs".....despite Sandy not being a strong swimmer, and me not having swum for ages, we defied logic and braved the freezing ocean waters to finally get to the smmall inlet where we couold touch bottom
Nea Kameni in morning light
. The rocks around the shoreline were mostly orange rust colour indicating the presence of iron coming up from the hot volcanic conditions below.Small pockets of warmer water was welcome but no matter where we moved to in the protected waters of the inlet, we could not manage to find spa-like hot water we expected to! Back thru the cold, bracing open water to the ship, up the ladder, and quickly under wraps of our towels to escape the stiff breeze!
Next we sailed across a small stretch of open sea to the sheltered bay at the island of Thirassia, where a small fishing village sits at the bottom of the cliffs, and the main township of some 400 people live at the top, similar to Thira, but many time smaller. We enjoyed Greecian snacks, and Santorini-grown wine, before again crossing a short passage of open water to arrive at the base of the cliffs of Oia at the far end of the island of Santorini. the town of Oia is famous for it's proximity & the stunning sunset views afforded visitors from its cliff-top edges.
We sailed around & past some of the rugged & multi-coloured cliff drops waiting for the distant sun to begin to drop towards the horizon, and then made our way into the passage between Thirassia & Oia to gently bob around with the main engine off, and only a couple of small jib sails hoisted, watching the setting sun, and being entertained by one of the crew playing sax for us.....very different, but relaxing & romantic at the same time
Sandy at breakfast...what a view!
! Got plenty of fantastic photos & video of the beautiful colours of the sky as the sun dipped quite quickly below the horizon behind Thirassia....a very special moment as we had only ever seen these incredible sunsets from up high on our room balcony. To be down at sea level, and able to look at both the sun & the island cliffs behind us was truly memorable indeed.
Once the sun had made its exit, we slowly made our way back to Thira, which by now was clearly illuminated as the lights of the hotels and nightspots along the clifftops progressively came on. Once ashore at the old port again, we took the cabelcar back to the top of the cliff face and paused to recall a great 5 hours on the unique waters of the caldera! Rum nightcaps set off a special day of this particular jaunt overseas.
