For our second day in Santorini, Risa and I booked a caldera cruise at sunset. Before we set off, we went to the hotel's fitness center, which is nestled in one of the cave-like rooms of the 400-year old winery-turned-hotel. Then we had a snack at Raki, a nearby restaurant that was used briefly for filming during The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Around 2pm we made our way to the town of Fira where we took a jaw-dropping, cliff-hugging cable car ride down to the port.
Our wooden ship first docked at the uninhabited volcanic island of Nea Kameni, which had blossomed from the center of the caldera. We hiked around and heard the history of Santorini's destruction and some of the newer volcanic creations. Good exercise, great views, and interesting info. The boat continued to muddy hot springs (the rust-colored water above). After anchoring out in the bay, I jumped off the side of the ship and swam with Risa to the warm, silty waters.
When we returned to the ship, yummy Greek appetizers awaited us along with some famous Santorini white wine. The cruise continued around the island as the sun went down, leading to even more gorgeous scenery. On our last day in Santorini, Risa and I spent more time on the black sand beach and had a delicious lunch at a nearby taverna. We indulged in vin santo by the pool while reading our beachy novels, then had an afternoon session in the Turkish steam bath. Lest I sound too much like a braggart, here's where I admit we spent the night sleeping on the hallway floor of a ferry en route to Athens.
Arriving in the port of Pireaus in the wee small hours of the morning meant that Risa and I wandered through darkness to the Metro and then poked around our hostel's area during dawn. Suitcases shed, we grabbed some spanakopita for breakfast and lined up early for entry to the Acropolis. The site invoked an interesting debate about the balance between unaltered excavation and artful reconstruction- between preserving authenticity and restoring former glory. The views from the top of the hill were fantastic, and the crowds rapidly accumulated at the top around the Parthenon (above).
The day continued with visits to Hadrian's arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. We sauntered through the National Gardens and watched the changing of the guards in front of the Parliament building. The "Evzone" soldiers stood guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and had a peculiar high-step walk, shoes with big pompoms on the toe, heavily pleated khaki skirts, and long, black ponytail-like tassels. Quite the get-up. Across the street was Syntagma Square where the underground Metro stop was like a free museum featuring the archaeological finds from the station's excavation. Then we went to Hadrian's Library, a Roman Forum, the Tower of the Winds, the Agora (and its museum in the Stoa of Attalos, above), and the Kerameikos cemetery.
For my final day in Greece, Risa and I visited the extensive collection at the National Archaeological Museum. I especially enjoyed the Cycladic art, treasures from various graves, the Thira frescoes (from Greece's Pompeii - Akrotiri, closed to the public), colorful glass from shipwrecks, and tons of sculpture. Afterward, we strolled through the city, had gyros and kebabs for lunch, and visited the new, impressive Acropolis Museum. With the stress of international travel looming, I packed my bags. Risa and I said our goodbyes over pistachio gelato and baklava. For the first time in two weeks, we parted ways, and I made the long, long journey home!
For our second day in Santorini, Risa and I booked a caldera cruise at sunset. Before we set off, we went to the hotel's fitness center, which is nestled in one of the cave-like rooms of the 400-year old winery-turned-hotel. Then we had a snack at Raki, a nearby restaurant that was used briefly for filming during The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Around 2pm we made our way to the town of Fira where we took a jaw-dropping, cliff-hugging cable car ride down to the port.
Our wooden ship first docked at the uninhabited volcanic island of Nea Kameni, which had blossomed from the center of the caldera. We hiked around and heard the history of Santorini's destruction and some of the newer volcanic creations. Good exercise, great views, and interesting info. The boat continued to muddy hot springs (the rust-colored water above). After anchoring out in the bay, I jumped off the side of the ship and swam with Risa to the warm, silty waters.
When we returned to the ship, yummy Greek appetizers awaited us along with some famous Santorini white wine. The cruise continued around the island as the sun went down, leading to even more gorgeous scenery. On our last day in Santorini, Risa and I spent more time on the black sand beach and had a delicious lunch at a nearby taverna. We indulged in vin santo by the pool while reading our beachy novels, then had an afternoon session in the Turkish steam bath. Lest I sound too much like a braggart, here's where I admit we spent the night sleeping on the hallway floor of a ferry en route to Athens.
Arriving in the port of Pireaus in the wee small hours of the morning meant that Risa and I wandered through darkness to the Metro and then poked around our hostel's area during dawn. Suitcases shed, we grabbed some spanakopita for breakfast and lined up early for entry to the Acropolis. The site invoked an interesting debate about the balance between unaltered excavation and artful reconstruction- between preserving authenticity and restoring former glory. The views from the top of the hill were fantastic, and the crowds rapidly accumulated at the top around the Parthenon (above).
The day continued with visits to Hadrian's arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. We sauntered through the National Gardens and watched the changing of the guards in front of the Parliament building. The "Evzone" soldiers stood guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and had a peculiar high-step walk, shoes with big pompoms on the toe, heavily pleated khaki skirts, and long, black ponytail-like tassels. Quite the get-up. Across the street was Syntagma Square where the underground Metro stop was like a free museum featuring the archaeological finds from the station's excavation. Then we went to Hadrian's Library, a Roman Forum, the Tower of the Winds, the Agora (and its museum in the Stoa of Attalos, above), and the Kerameikos cemetery.
For my final day in Greece, Risa and I visited the extensive collection at the National Archaeological Museum. I especially enjoyed the Cycladic art, treasures from various graves, the Thira frescoes (from Greece's Pompeii - Akrotiri, closed to the public), colorful glass from shipwrecks, and tons of sculpture. Afterward, we strolled through the city, had gyros and kebabs for lunch, and visited the new, impressive Acropolis Museum. With the stress of international travel looming, I packed my bags. Risa and I said our goodbyes over pistachio gelato and baklava. For the first time in two weeks, we parted ways, and I made the long, long journey home!
1 comment:
Sounds like a pretty crazy adventure from cover to cover! I especially like the epilogue where you come home and pay me a visit :)
Glad you enjoyed yourself! Welcome home!
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