Santorini Island, Greece
Santorini was once a thriving island in antiquity, settled by the Minoans around 3,000 BC. This settlement continued until approximately 1625 BC when a massive volcanic eruption changed the face of Santorini forever. It was named Thira by the Dorians in the 8th century BC but then the Venetians renamed it Santorini after St. Irene when they conquered it in the 13th century.
Early in the morning we sailed into the caldera to see what has become of Santorini or Thira since the eruption. The Panorama passed under the village of Oia poised high above us at the northwestern tip of the main island. To our right was Thirasia which is the 2nd largest island and it forms the western edge of what remains of what was originally one island. During breakfast the ship picked up its mooring and the deck staff secured us just beneath the town of Fira which serves as the center for this area. Shortly after this we boarded our tender and we were on our way to the port of Athinios, the only place on the island where roads and a waterside landing can meet. We boarded our coaches and made our way to Oia in order to explore this lovely spot and get a view from the rim back down into the caldera.
After a short walking tour by our Greek guides, some time for some coffee with a view, an opportunity to wander the stores and a few photos, we were off for lunch. Our journey took us to the southern tip of the island and the restaurant Aeolus. The view from this establishment is amazing. Many of us took the time to take in the vista straight off of the bus which included the islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni (called the burnt islands) which were perched front and center but yet far below us. These islands have appeared during recent volcanic activity within the caldera.
Our hosts were very gracious and the local fare was delicious which included some fine Santorini wine. We boarded our coaches for the last “wheeled” ride of the day to Fira and some time to explore this town and make our way to the bottom of the caldera and the Panorama. Many guests chose a guided tour of the archaeological museum which features finds from the ancient town of Akrotiri (very close to our lunch stop) and a good collection of Cycladic and Hellenistic sculpture. After this there was time for wandering the alleys, shopping, enjoying the view and contemplating our options for descending to the small port 300 meters below and our tender back to the ship.
There was the cable car (most civilized), the donkey ride (most adventurous) or a hike down the donkey trail (somewhere in the middle). We all managed to make our way down in one piece and gathered at the landing when the tender was ready.
The Panorama slipped her mooring and got underway just after we arrived back aboard. The Captain positioned us in an anchorage just between Nea Kameni and Palai Kameni right in the center of the caldera. This gave us a great view of the “backside of the moon” look of both of these burnt islands and a great opportunity to swim. The majority of the guests ‘braved’ the waters inside the volcano and this was a great way to cool down after a hot day on Santorini.
Before dinner Effie and Tzemma, our Greek guides, gave us a lesson on the Greek alphabet and Sharon did a presentation on the flowers of this region. During dinner the Captain repositioned the ship to our first destination for tomorrow. After dinner the ship was “med moored” (by the stern) at the pier in Folegandros for an after dinner walk around this charming and tiny port.
