Santorini - Day 5

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We walked down to the old port to board our boat for the tour. What a climb down! I was dreading climbing back up after the tour. The boat was like a small tow-0master schooner, but they used engines instead. We sailed out to the volcano's island cone. Apparently the cone has changed at least two or three times since the initial eruption in 15,000BC, with the last eruption in 1950. We hiked up and over the island to see the two cones. One is still live, with steam coming out of serveral vents. After walking back down, we boarded a similar boat for our trip to the hot springs. The guide warned us that they couldn't get the boat very close to the hot springs, so if we wanted to swim, we'd have to swim thru some very cold water to get there. Manoli decided it wasn't worth it, but brave J.C. (or foolish) jumped in and swam for it. Geeez, was it cold, but the hot springs were warm (though not hot) and very sulphurous. Swimming back wasn't quite as bad. I climbed back on board to dry off for our trip to the island of Thirassia, the next biggest island. The guide recommended Captain John's because the food was good and they had a sort of buffet set up. Between us, we got stuffed meatballs and rice, fried tomato balls, fava beans, and a Greek salad. Everything was very good and about 22 Euros. After lunch, a 2 hour break, we sailed back to Santorini, stopping at 2 ports, Amoudi and another one I forget the name of below Oia, then back to Fira's old port. I'd been trying to convince Manoli to ride the donkeys back up, but she wouldn't. She did tell me to rideand she'd walk, so I jumped at the chance. It cost 5 Euros and was a worthwhile experience, eventhough my donkey wanted to pass and nip at the other donkeys the whole way. Manoli arrived soon after I did and claimed it wasn't that bad (although she did complain for a day or two of tired legs). Since we were both wearing swim suits and I felt rather yucky from the salty, sulphurous water, we returned to the hotel to shower and rest before dinner. More pictures to follow.

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Photos

Thirassia Port
View of the port on Thirassia island as we were pulling in for lunch.

Port below Oia
Not Amoudi, but the other port below Oia on Santorini.

J.C. and the Donkey 2
J.C. riding a donkey up the stairs to Fira on Santorini.