Prehistoric Akrotiri...a Big Step in Time...Backwards

First stop today, after two local bus trips, is Akrotiri...the excavation of a city that dates back 1650-1500 B.C.  This has been a dig site only since 1967 and already they have discovered at least three separate settlements, one built on top of the other.  So, a popular site, perhaps due to the location on a ridge, with sea anchorages on either side.  Earthquakes seem to have been the problem,until the last problem...which was a sudden volcanic eruption.  This covered everything with fine pumice and ash, preserving all below...waiting to be discovered in present day.  There is no clue about what happened to the people, other than they all seem to have quickly left...leaving everything behind.

 Spying the dolphin art on the vases I smile thinking of the graceful marine mammals plying the waters of the Aegean.  Today the water we see is clear, but there appears to be little marine life.   Nothing but volcanic rocks and pebbles....and more rocks and pebbles.  

In these jars, archeologists discovered preserved bits of grains, indicating food storage.

Mr. History, Steve, is in 7th heaven, walking around this amazingly covered excavation of the ancient city site.  

Pieces of a journal...but what does it say?

All this touring in the heat...it's time for a stop at the Dolphins Taverna near Red Beach.  Greek salad anyone?  And house white wine of course.  What could be more postcard worthy than taverna tables sitting out on a quay?

Cucumbers, peppers, olives, tomatoes and feta cheese!

Refreshed, we take the local buses back to Kameria Beach and our hotel.

For day we have one last day to enjoy the pool, the beach, organize the re packing operation and a nice dinner out.  Don't forget a little ukulele practice on the balcony!

Lovely poolside with some hours for reading!

That's our room up there behind the blue shuttered doors.

A swim in the warm sea passes part of the afternoon.

Toes by Amber of San Juan Island.....black sand and sea by Santorini Island.

Music and wine, warm September night, a balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea...

Our audience....

Tomorrow we travel back to Athens on the morning plane and meet up with our fellow ukulele adventurers!  

Exploring Santorini! Fira and Oia

We set out with a plan for the local bus and a stop at Fira to peer over the rim of the caldera, then a cable car down to the port and back up (or 577 stairs each way)...back on the bus to Oia (photo spot of the island)...down the 230 (really?  More like 300) stair steps to Amoundi Bay and taverna stop...yes, back UP all 300 stair steps...local bus home to The Boathouse, and into the pool!! 

To the cable car....

Uh ohh....whose toes are those?... Heading into the music store??

Beauties

Peeping over the rim...yes, here are cruise ships in today....four huge ones...darn!  At least we are opposite of their schedule in using the tram.

Down we go...

Little boats tied at the quay.

More walking ...back to the bus...

Lots f dogs...

Street animal feeding station....

Calm donkey....

In to Oia

Ok, down the stair steps we go....it's either that or the donkeys....

Nice donkey....

Donkey jewelry...

Now Lang this little walkway to the taverna out on Amondi Bay....not thinking about the steps up...and a fabulous salad we have!

No, we did not have the octopus....

Nor the fish or urchins...

Then back UP....

That's 95 out of the 230 marked steps....

Closer...

Yep...

So beautiful...

OMG....the top!  

All these people are arriving for a view of sunset at Oia...which our hosts at the hotel sad, is so crowded you will not see any sunset...at all.  We decide to take the post card view.

And head back to the local bus for our two bus rides and walk to get "home."

Now fora swim!  And a bottle of Santorini wine on our balcony. ($3.90 euros for the bottle)

Tomorrow, ancient ruins.

Iceland to Greece...Kalimari Everyone!

Yes, these are really the colors we are leaving behind as we board our Iceland Air flight for London...just a sleep over there...and on to Athens and Santorini.  We once again "lose" some time...eventually three more hours.

Since we are traveling Saga class on Iceland Air we are treated to use of the lounge and some great food, beer, wine and...chocolate!  We could get used to this style of air travel!

Tarmac in Reykjavick

Ukes on our backs, and as carry on...no comments from airlines...so far..

Underground Heathrow Express to our digs for the night at the airport...Terminal 5

Kinda tired...on the train...quite a hike from Terminal 2

Next morning, full breakfast on British Air...back in economy class!?

Finally!  When we face a seven line passport line in Athens, I am not so sure we will make our connection to Santorini, but magically, here we are!

Spyros meets U.S. At the airport and then...The Boathouse Hotel, on Kamari Beach...for 5 nights!  

Stairs to our room!  Greece is all about up and down, but mostly up!

Ohhh, the pool!  With the beach across the street...

The front door of The Boathouse welcomes us.

The whole first day....

Breakfast every morning at tables by the pool.

Kamari Beach

Our first explore down the beach to the cliff church...and signs posted for NO diving....

Good thing there's a place for prayers...

What could possibly go wrong?

The perfect resting spot!

A fabulous dinner ends the day....oh the Greek salads!  Perfect!  We are amazed by the prices.  One main dish and one salad are perfect for two.  A half liter of White House wine is $5.00...dinner usually costs about 23 Euros....less than $30 with wine and amazing food...at a little taverna, with a table by the sea.  

Now for sleep.