Greece 2008 Day 04

Greece 2008 Journey Day: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Day 04 - September 14 - Santorini

Morning electrical black outs were scheduled to start at 9:00 AM. Since coffee is a needed substance in the

morning, no hesitated start to the breakfast room. What a view - overlooking the caldron and watching

the fog bank clear the endless cliffs.

Time to explore the island driving in the Porsche 'wanna-be'. First stop was the ancient ruins of Akrotiri.

Pre dating Pompeii, these ruins from the 1600 BC were left preserved due to Santorini's volcano and

tremors. Major excavation didn't start until 1967 and in a twist for the lead archeologist, one of buildings

fell on him in 1974 causing his death - within the last few years, a same demise for a tourist due to a collapsed

roof that protected the site. Currently, the site is closed to the public and undergoing roof and site

renovations. However, well know fresco paintings of a 'boy with fishes' and young boxers can be seen on

souvenir tote bags, coasters, and T-shirts.

Just around the corner is the infamous Red Beach. A small beach with blue and white umbrellas setting

under a sheer wall of red lava rock. It's a enjoyable walk over a small hill to access the small bay.

Looked like the buses of Asian tourists enjoyed it, too.

Beach time was on a several kilometer stretch of black lava leading to the mountain base town

of Perrisa. Interestingly, the sand continues into the water for several meters - so, no firm

foundation to stand on. However, not an issue since the cool waters are very easy to float on.

Like most established beaches, loungers and straw based umbrellas are available for a small

fee and may have cafe service. Portions of the German economy is spent along this long beach.

Next drive was to the opposite end of the island to the ultimate postcard town of Oia. If you have

any poster, brochure, or book of Greek Islands, this town with it's blue dome churches, white

washed cliff, and mountain side buildings is an icon. Down each set of painted or pebbled steps,

or around a small cafe or hotel, is a vista that overwhelms. It's "spectacular and it's real".

Lunch was in a basement "cave" - many of the buildings are built into the side of the mountain - with

a view and cold air conditioning. Crepes and desserts were a specialty - mushroom, ham, and

cheese crepe with salad to start and a Black Forest ice cream delight to finish- layers of chocolate

and vanilla ice cream with liqueur soaked cake and real black cherries. Following the cool down

and refreshments, time to walk the "caldron view on steroids" marble sidewalks.

Drove back to the opposite end of the island for the sunset. Joined others at the end of road

lighthouse. Seems that Santorini will usually have a fog or haze, so the sunset is not a clear drop into

the horizon; however, it does cause an impressive glow.

Dinner was an off-the-beaten-up-path. A very small dirt and rocky road leads down to yet another

black beach - Messina. Steep walls enclosed this bay and the sunset strikes the lighter colored

rock outcroppings. Overlooking was boulder and pebble beach was a remote cafe - Again, fresh

bread, good salad, Mythos beer, and grilled pork. Many of the small restaurants are family

arrangements. The older mother at the restaurant was wrapping silverware when we arrived;

however, during dinner, she plunged into the sea for cool down. Seems like a nice perk having

a beach side cafe.

Returned to the hotel to enjoy the full moon casting reflections on the caldron sea, hotel pool,

and floating fog mist. One of the last tasks of the day was some light laundry - one key lesson

learned is that "cotton bad, wicking synthetics good". Easy to shower with your laundry, roll up

in a towel (or Sammy towel used by swimmers), hang it up, and it's clean, dry, and ready to go

to Crete in the morning.