Aegean Odyssey Day 12 (Santorini)

Had a long an tiring but very fun excursion into the caldera of Santorini that included climbing up to the volcanic peak of the island known as Nea Kameni, swimming in the sulfurous hot spring of nearby Paleo Kameni, and exploring the island of Thirassia! 

Had to get up and meet for breakfast fairly early so that we could be at the bus pickup point in front of the hospital, a few blocks down the hill, by 9:50. Then rode to the commercial port a few miles away and boarded our vessel, King Thiras, one of five traditional Santorinian ships used for local tours. Perhaps less traditional is their lack of sails, which appear only to be either rigged, or perhaps just photoshopped in, for promotional photos, modern diesel engines being apparently being used exclusively for motive power now. 

Upon landing at Nea Kameni, the steaming lava-rock island in the caldera of Santorini, we hiked up to the low peak of the volcano, which only took about half an hour but between the heat and rough terrain was still a decent walk (at right are Laura, Richard, and Diane at the summit). Back on the boat Richard and I had a beer to relieve the rigors of the hike. 

Sailed on to Palea Kameni, where we were able to jump off the ship and swim about 100 yards into an inlet where a sulfurous hot spring disgorged water into the sea. Richard stayed behind to protect our gear and seats from the depredations of fellow tourists, while Diane, Laura, and I made the swim. Tough going and, not being particularly buoyant, I was pretty work out by the time I made it back to the ship. Richard and I had another beer. 

Continued on to the island of Thirassia, where we shared a lunch of chicken and pork souvlaki, fries, and two liters of wine. Richard and I then walked it off a bit and took some photos of the lower part of the island, a hike to the top of the mountain and the upper part being more than we were up for by that point (a picture of the port of Thirassia appears at right). 

Long boat ride back to the port, via Oia on Santorini for people who had signed on for the sunset dinner portion of the tour, and then took a bus back to our starting point. Women took showers when we got back but Richard and I opted for a cold plunge into the hotel pool. 

Had late dinner at a terrific new Italian place a few blocks away from the hotel called Convivium. I had a delicious fritto misto that included prawns, squid, octopus, and batter-fried vegetables (below right), Diane had a tortellini of some sort, Laura had a beautiful bit of duck, and Richard had a pizza. It was all very nice and everyone was pleased. 

After dinner Richard and I went to check out a bar called the Highlander, where I got some choice insights into Scottish culture and we had beers and some complimentary shots of something orange (at bottom is a picture of the second-oldest person in the establishment, as photographed by the oldest one). We then came back to the "Colonial Room" at our hotel, where we successfully prevailed upon the front desk clerk to serve us snifters of Metaxa and thereafter spent a couple of hours discussing geopolitics, sustainability, and the popular form of apparel known as UtilitKilts.