A Very Nice Day In Santorini

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Geo: 36.4044, 25.3959

We had heard that Santorini was a very nice place to visit. When we were coming into the port, we could see the houses up on top of the cliff above the coast. Most of them were white. We were told that before paint, they coated the houses with lime to weatherproof them and that was white in color. Now they just paint them white.

There are only three ways to get from the pier to the city up on top: walk up a winding staircase, ride donkeys up the staircase or take an aerial tram. We were with a private tour group of 15 of us and we took the tram. Mom was not messing with those donkeys. The tram ride was short and fun for €4 each way. At the top, we met our bus driver who took us in a 16 passenger bus all over the island. Oia, the black sand beach, a monastery, wine tasting, a couple of old towns and great view spots. Mom and I had the whole back seat to ourselves. The driver was very informative telling us that tourism was the major industry in Santorini. It never rains there. They didn't have electricity until 1969. They supplied pumice to the world.

The tour wrapped up about 2:30pm and we finished up by checking out the shops. By the way, we saw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's house in Oia. €16 million. We took the tram down and then a ferry back to the ship. Up to the Lido for juice and a snack since we had no lunch.

We went out for a nice dinner again. Mom had the pheasant and I had roast beef. Tomorrow is Katakolon, Greece.

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Photos

Town on Santorini
Our view of the island form the ship. Look carefully at the center and you can see the path that zig zags its way up from the port to the town. Walk, ride a donkey or take the tram are your only choices.

Mom on the tender
Mom on the tender as we prepare to depart from the Noordam and head to Santorini.

Donkey
One of the donkeys used to haul people up or down the path from port to town or reverse. I hear that the donkey ride isn't very comfortable and that the donkeys almost run when going down. Also they leave piles as they go so its not a pleasant trip walking or riding.

Shopping
Mom checking out a shop at the top of the tram on Santorini.

Santorini tram
Getting off the tram at the top.

Our van
This got us around on Santorini. A lady named Helen from CC set this tour up for 15. It was just €30 pp for 5 hours.

View from town
Note our ship below the town.

Holland America Noordam
Another view of our ship from the town above.

We walked this path
A pathway though town of Oia, several miles away. Brad Pitt has a place here.

Nice picture
A number of houses on cliff have these little swimming pools.

Wine tasting
We spent 45 minutes here. Nice place with great view. That's Mom by the railing talking to some old guy. No, not me.

Inside the bus
We sat in the back from where I took this shot.

More shopping
Mom checking out clothes in Santorini.

Comments

[T.J.MCCULLEN]

hi mom hope all is well,missing you kind of weird you're right up the street from me and I could come see you anytime I want.but you don't know what you got until it's gone .glad to hear everything's going well now.hope you're having a grea
t time.I do want to mention something when we came over to have the barbecue at your house my daughter Alexis asked you if she mwon the thing she was nominated for by the city of Hayward that you guys mwould come to the awards dinner October 8 well she did win and I'm asking you if you guys are going to come because we have to buy tickets for it and the $40 apiece