Athens to Santorini
Early docking in Athens saw us in port and tied up by 7am. Plenty of activity as the 'past their use by date' passengers were efficiently off loaded ( our group being 'pink 4') in strict sequence. We delayed our departure by as much as possible so found some LaZeBoys to stretch out in, and loaded up on the last of the free croissants and cappachinos. The packs had been picked up the night before so when the loudspeaker announcements were getting a little too insistent we wandered down, surrendered our pass cards and out of the gilded cage into the real world.
The vultures (disguised as taxi drivers) were waiting. We grabbed one to the nearest express bus stop then an hour or so on a bus through Athens to the airport. Tried checking our bags in early, however because of glass bottles containing > 100ml liquid, ( defintely not Jim Beam,Champagne or Wine from the ship) our baggage went as especially fragile at the outsize counter. Fingers crossed it arrives in one piece - can Greek freight handlers read 'fragile' - would they know or care? time will tell.
The flight wasnt until 5pm so we had a day up our sleeve in another big Airport. Not my favourite occupation but interesting watching people. Eventually I fell asleep in a plastic chair ( Denise said I snored but I doubt that). Flew out 10 minutes late (high level of security-Denise had her half used tube of toothpaste confiscated) to Santorini Aiport in a big 300 seater aircraft - tourism is big time here. Half an hour later we were in Santorini, our bags arrived quickly and thankfully intact. Our name was on our drivers board (spelt correctly which was a first) and off we sped to Esperas Hotel at the town of Oia arriving at sunset. We walked down several zig zags to our room perched on the edge of the cliff. Think eagles nest and luxury resort. Vertigo sufferers need not apply.
What a hotel and what a position. Special thanks to Andrea and Larry for letting us in on this one - fantastic. Took a few pics of the setting sun then off to bed.
Oia
Pronounced eea. We had a late start then took plenty of pictures of the Hotel and surrounding scenery. Toilet facilities are interesting however- used paper is placed in a basket beside the toilet, fortunately diarrhoea was not an issue at the moment.
Breakfast on till 11am so that was a break. Wandered along the Tourist Blvd looking at strategically placed postcard shops and cafes/restaurants, from 2pm everything slows down except for the gangs of tourist mafia tightly bunched behind a placard waving guide. Had a stop at a cafe and tried out a Spanokapita. I dont believe there was rubber added to the recipe but it sure tasted so. Merely blasted to oblivion in a microwave I suspect. Actually the view made up for any shortcomings in the fare.
I walked down to the port and up the zigzag for a look around. 300 steps, except they dont tell you every step up requires 3 extra steps to reach it. In short a long hard walk for someone who had eaten far too much whilst on voyage. Refreshed in the pool then scoffed our secreted away goodies from breakfast for tea. Denise is a whiz on sorting out ways and means to extend breakfast to all day sustenance. (pls dont tell hotel management)
Next day in Oia dawned clear and beautiful. Late start again, then off to the local beach, Kathyros. Headed down to the bottom of the Hotel, then through the Blue Door, track continues down the road and to a rocky beach. A bit like Gore Bay on a bad day. However this one had its own Greek Restaurant ! So we had something here, then off to the Ammoudi Port, directly below Esperas Villas. The scoria and ash cliffs towering above us were quite intimidating, an earthquake just now would be most inconvenient.
Seafood speciality here as all the eateries had live aquatic fare waiting to be chosen to meet their fate. The Crays were pretty small compared to Kaikouras finest I thought. Just around the corner is a swimming beach, quite sheltered, deep deep water. Fantastic swimming if a little warmer. Actually there seems to be quite a large proportion of same sex couples around the place, maybe not having the upkeep of a family allows them some discretionary income to escape the cold climate.
View from our Balcony
Back up to the Hotel, 900 steps this time especially as it was hotter than yesterday. Out to tea to a real Greek taverna, none of this plastic food. Set off round the back roads, via another stunning sunset, to travel the lesser known trails. Past the bus stop, diesel fumes et al along to a run down cafe serving what seemed the real deal. Ordered Moussaka, dolmades and tomato soup. The real deal I reckon - it was loaded with olive oil but great. Finished off with what we think was raki - a sort of wine liquor. Tasted good anyway.
Early docking in Athens saw us in port and tied up by 7am. Plenty of activity as the 'past their use by date' passengers were efficiently off loaded ( our group being 'pink 4') in strict sequence. We delayed our departure by as much as possible so found some LaZeBoys to stretch out in, and loaded up on the last of the free croissants and cappachinos. The packs had been picked up the night before so when the loudspeaker announcements were getting a little too insistent we wandered down, surrendered our pass cards and out of the gilded cage into the real world.
The vultures (disguised as taxi drivers) were waiting. We grabbed one to the nearest express bus stop then an hour or so on a bus through Athens to the airport. Tried checking our bags in early, however because of glass bottles containing > 100ml liquid, ( defintely not Jim Beam,Champagne or Wine from the ship) our baggage went as especially fragile at the outsize counter. Fingers crossed it arrives in one piece - can Greek freight handlers read 'fragile' - would they know or care? time will tell.
The flight wasnt until 5pm so we had a day up our sleeve in another big Airport. Not my favourite occupation but interesting watching people. Eventually I fell asleep in a plastic chair ( Denise said I snored but I doubt that). Flew out 10 minutes late (high level of security-Denise had her half used tube of toothpaste confiscated) to Santorini Aiport in a big 300 seater aircraft - tourism is big time here. Half an hour later we were in Santorini, our bags arrived quickly and thankfully intact. Our name was on our drivers board (spelt correctly which was a first) and off we sped to Esperas Hotel at the town of Oia arriving at sunset. We walked down several zig zags to our room perched on the edge of the cliff. Think eagles nest and luxury resort. Vertigo sufferers need not apply.
What a hotel and what a position. Special thanks to Andrea and Larry for letting us in on this one - fantastic. Took a few pics of the setting sun then off to bed.
Oia
Pronounced eea. We had a late start then took plenty of pictures of the Hotel and surrounding scenery. Toilet facilities are interesting however- used paper is placed in a basket beside the toilet, fortunately diarrhoea was not an issue at the moment.
I walked down to the port and up the zigzag for a look around. 300 steps, except they dont tell you every step up requires 3 extra steps to reach it. In short a long hard walk for someone who had eaten far too much whilst on voyage. Refreshed in the pool then scoffed our secreted away goodies from breakfast for tea. Denise is a whiz on sorting out ways and means to extend breakfast to all day sustenance. (pls dont tell hotel management)
Next day in Oia dawned clear and beautiful. Late start again, then off to the local beach, Kathyros. Headed down to the bottom of the Hotel, then through the Blue Door, track continues down the road and to a rocky beach. A bit like Gore Bay on a bad day. However this one had its own Greek Restaurant ! So we had something here, then off to the Ammoudi Port, directly below Esperas Villas. The scoria and ash cliffs towering above us were quite intimidating, an earthquake just now would be most inconvenient.
Seafood speciality here as all the eateries had live aquatic fare waiting to be chosen to meet their fate. The Crays were pretty small compared to Kaikouras finest I thought. Just around the corner is a swimming beach, quite sheltered, deep deep water. Fantastic swimming if a little warmer. Actually there seems to be quite a large proportion of same sex couples around the place, maybe not having the upkeep of a family allows them some discretionary income to escape the cold climate.
View from our Balcony
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