Santorini, Greece, known anciently as Thera and is part of the Cyclades Islands. In 1600 BC, the island was part of a large activity volcano. An eruption occurred that is known as the Minoan Eruption as those were the people living here at the time. It is one of the largest known eruptions. The volcanic caldera collapsed, the sea water rushed in, filling the empty caldera. The islands are now tall jagged edges of the caldera rim.
From a distance, the buildings on top looked like snow peaked mountains…lol
It was an incredible sight as we sailed into the port of Fira. It can not handle large cruise ships due to the lack of a large pier, so the ship would be anchoring. The island provides tender or transport boats, to go ashore. We watched the transfer boats coming to meet the ship.
Is there anything better than a late breakfast on a cruise ship as you slowly move toward the port on a warm fall day. After breakfast, we headed for the theatre for our tender number to be called.
On the tender to the small port of Fira.
Once in port we transferred to a boat to visit the nearby island of Nea Kameni.
The island was formed through a series of 9 volcanic eruptions from 197 BC to 1950 AD. It formed in the middle of the collapsed caldera. Lava from the most recent 1950 eruption can be seen in the small harbor. The entire island is a protected national park and was just designated one of the top 100 geological parks in the world.
After leaving the dock, you hike up the volcano, through lava beds from the 1570 eruption.
Near the top is Georgia’s Crater. It was created by a hydrothermal eruption in 1866. There are numerous fumaroles in this area. You can’t pass up an opportunity to safely touch volcanic steam!!
The area, also has seismic equipment to monitor any activity.
The hike to the top is a short but steep path. The summit is 417 feet above sea level. In the far distance is the location of the cruise ship accident involving the Sea Diamond in 2007.
The island of Palea Kameni is in the distance (we would visit that later in the afternoon)
Since there have been so many eruptions, the island has a variety of terrain and textures of lava rocks.
The park in is the process of upgrading the path. They are using lava rock, that are gathered and then laid by hand. All the tools are transported via the small tractor. Pretty labor intensive work.
As we hiked, we had a great talk with our guide about calderas, as Yellowstone and Island Park that are near our home, are both calderas.
The island is a busy place with a small harbor, so the boats are tied to each other, side by side. We had to cross another boat to access our boat.
Our next stop was Palaea Kameni. This island was formed in the collapsed caldera by two eruptions in 46 AD and 726 BC. The small harbor is known as ag. Nickolais.
The harbor contains a small sulphur spring, causing the discoloration of the water.
We had the option to swim. Our guide Paulie, told us the water would be cold and it was better to jump in. He was correct, the water was a bit chilly.
Our boat is on the left. It is a swim at your own risk activity.
The closer you got to the spring, the warmer the water was, but also the more rust colored the water became.
The spring has a variety of buildings and shacks that have been built over the years.
We had been advised to try and not touch the bottom, as it would turn your feet brown. Yup we had brown feet.
What a great time we had swimming in the sulphur water.
Time to return to Fira…Spuddy Buddy had been with us all day, just enjoying the scenery and the sun.
Paulie had done a great job as our guide. He is original from Santorini, but has a home in Athens as well. He will forever be our caldera buddy. In parting, he gave us some awesome tips as how we could spend the rest of the afternoon in Fira.
Santorini is the largest island of the caldera rim. The area was named Saint Irene in 1250 BC by a Muslim map maker. The named evolved into Santorini over time. The capitol of Santorini is Fira, which sits at 1312 feet above sea level.
One of the newest ways to access the city is by the cable car. It is 6 euros per person, one way.
After paying, you walk up a set of steep stairs to access your cable car, then you wait for the signal to board. The cars travel in groups of five. It was a short but beautiful trip.
The view from the cable car was amazing
At the top, there was the cutest boy playing an accordion…yes we gave him coins. We found a fish bath shop where you put your feet in an aquarium of fish, who nibble off the dead skin…no we did not try that.
The second way to access Fira is the Donkey path. At one time, this was the only easy way to access Fira from the ocean. It is 10 euros one way.
Recently, this has become a controversial part of Fira. A petition was started and signed by thousand of people world-wide asking for the donkey rides to be discontinued, due to the burden of carrying an influx of cruise passengers. However, lack of paying customers, has hurt the donkey vendor, which makes it hard for him to care for his donkeys. We are not sure what is best.
We decided to walk the 600+ stairs down the Donkey path back to the pier. It is free to walk the path.
If we had more time, we would have stopped to eat at one of the restaurants along the path.
There are some hazards to walking the Donkey path…poop and people on donkeys.
The water-filled caldera with Nea Kameni, which we climbed earlier in the day, in the background. The view was stunning!!
Conquer the World!!
Near the bottom of the Donkey Path, we had a view of the cable car, a monastery on the cliff, and our cruise ship, the Jade. At the very bottom, you walk through the tunnels to the old market near the pier.
Back on the ship, we watched the sun set from our balcony
We grabbed a quick picture of Fira just before the sun set and then one after sunset, with the lights all on. You can see the Donkey Path. The view was truly breath-taking
Our final night on the cruise…Cagney’s Steakhouse
This cruise had been one for the books…disembarkation in Athens, with maybe just abit more adventure.
