Amazing Santorini

Finally, some of the photos of this place on this page. It's just amazing. We arrived early this morning and "parked" in the ancient caldera now filled with the sea. everywhere I look there are walls of ancient lava and ash layers of so many colors and types I am struck with the beauty. Many places look like the Grand Canyon with layer upon layer of ash that comes in red, orange, gray, and ranges of tan to cream. The lower layers are more compressed and usually thinner while the upper layers are scattered with several big thick layers separated by thin layers other material.


Our bus tour captured us at the bottom port area and zig-zagged us up the steep sides of the cliffs. As we passed by there were many places where you could see dark boulders held captive in the light colored ash. The road was often lined with chunks of the dark rocks that finally made their way out with the help of erosion. Once on top we could see how people live and work here tending grapes, melon, tomato, olives and such. The varieties are specifically chosen for their low profile to survive strong winds and drought tolerance. Plus the terrain is so steep and rocky that cars and trucks are of no use so produce is collected by donkey and the whole family gets out there and helps with the work. Not really quaint, but necessary. Most of the food is imported as well as water.

The bus carried us throught Fira to the other end of the island to Amouni and back. The slope on the outside of the caldera is naturally less steep and the farms have found more places where rocks can be moved to form more stone walls that define the areas that can be tilled and planted. It's similar to Ireland in some ways, only in a more geologically severe place.



Back in town we hicked up to the edge of the caldera and found many, many shops and restaurants to pass through-- like Dollywood with a Greek edge-- but we found a place to grab some lunch then walk to the cable car that took us back down to the port below. Half a day or so left us pooped.

Reposito time and we took advantage of it.

K&M