Santorini 4x4

Another first....this time not the 4x4 was the new experience but seeing other parts of the island. I have only ever seen Thira (Fira) and Oia, so I was quite excited...not knowing what to expect. The first thing that I noticed while driving was a lunar like lanscape created by the last volcano eruption. Let me give you a little bit of history. Santorini is one of the cyclade islands in the Aegean sea which was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC. The whitewashed, cubist houses of its two principle towns, Fira (Thira) and Oia, cling to the cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). The depth of the caldera is about 400m. So, going back to the landscape, given that it is volcanic...it is made up of rocks...BUT interestingly enough, similarly to Lazarote, Santorini also produces its own wine, but i am not going into that now because the tour was not about that. I will share a pic of what the vineyards look like though.

Vineyard

Our first stop was a view point over the bay where the cruise ships stop....today there were five...let me share a pic...

Photo stop
Me at the photo stop
After that we drove past Vlihada beach where we were supposed to stop, but our guide believes it is not a very nice beach (which in fact i would agree)....so he took us to Perivolos beach, which is one of the black beaches. Why black...well three guesses, because the sand is black and i must admit....it was a beautiful beach. One can rent beach chairs with umbrellas if you desire, there are restaurants...just great. We had one and a half hours of free time...kim and i enjoyed going into the water and sun tanning.....let me share a pic...
Perivolos beach
Next up....Profitis Elias, the islands highest point (550m), where we had a view over the black beach and on the other side we saw the island's airport....and right at the top...a monarchy and a small chapel....rather quaint.
Photo stop
Photo stop
The Jeeps...ours is the white one
On our way to the last stop, which would be our snack stop, we saw the beautiful churches which make Santorini famous...the white with the blue...those i have to say, they take my breath away, rather stunning...while driving i was trying to get some pics...let me share with you...
One of the 268 churches
Another one of the 268 churches
Another one of the 268 churches
Another one of the 268 churches
Last...but definitely not least...our snack...which was absoloutely amazing...it was more like a meal...first everyone received a whole Greek salad and the ingredients were full of flavour, very yummie. After that a meze platter which consisted of a vegetable fritter (zucchini and cherry tomato), a dolmade (spoced rice wrapped in a vine leaf), some tzaziki and a bean dip, all served with a local Santorini white wine and fresh bread....just amazing.
Greek salad
Meze
Our view at Galini Taverna
That concluded our tour before returning to Fira where we could either stroll around or take the cable car back down and then the tender to the ship...or as Kim and I opted...walk down past the donkeys to the tender...we did not feel like waiting in line for the cable car....let me share a few last pics...
Donkeys while walking down
Beautiful Norwegian Jade
On the tender
Sun has set
What a great tour, we really enjoyed it....and i loved the free time on the beach...not too short and not too long...just perfect...slowly my tan is coming along. For now cheers...tomorrow...another 4x4 adventure...this time in Mykonos.
 

 

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