Greece: Santorini [Part 2]
Saturday
The morning started slowly for the rest of the travel buddies.
Trish & Squizz spent the early part of the day reading the local news and magazines and discussing the plans for the morning.
Sandy caught up on Candy Crush games but ensured she was ready to head out by 9am as per agreement from the previous night.
The threesome headed to Fira with Squizz navigating using the google map Sandy had downloaded to her iPhone. We have to admit we spent some time meandering the roads around Fira (a few times) and the various car parks BUT we did eventually get a good park ( thanks to a local man who stopped traffic for us and another local who tried to assist Sandy in doing a reverse park on a slope).
We then made our way through they alleys and nooks and crannies to the cable way where we ventured down to the Old Port ......a much preferred method of travelling to walking down the 588 steps on the idea of the cliff face.
We spent a short time looking around the Old Port before heading back to the cable car for our return trip......we all admitted we could have spent longer browsing and exploring BUT shops and cobbled pathways were calling us as was the need to collect the Canadians from the airport upon their arrival.
The morning walk by Sarah
Another beautiful morning on the island of Santorini saw Annie Sarah, Tina and Jenny heading to Imerovigli for an early morning hike. The hike was to wind its way to the north west end of the island or Oia as the town is called. They had been told by the locals that the track was approximately 9km and would take them about 3hrs. As they started there walk they were all excited about the stunning scenery and buildings they would see along the way. As they started walking along the cobbled road they passed beautiful resorts. The path started leading them up towards the top of the mountain providing stunning views of the Caldera. About 1.5hrs into the hike they came across a donkey station, unfortunately there were no donkeys there just yet, which Sarah was quite disapointed about!
As they pushed on they saw traditional white and blue churches and in the distance the white capped town of Oia. After just over 2.5hrs and walking a distance of 8.2km they reached their destination. They decided to go explore Oia and have a well deserved breakfast and coffee. They found a cute little cafe and sat out on the roof top. The breakfasts were all delicious and the coffee was fantastic. It was so good that Tina ordered a second one! After breakfast they explored the town going into little tourist and art shops. After shopping they decided it would be a great idea to try and catch the bus back to where they had parked the car. After a 15min wait and not really knowing if a bus would come, along the road it came. Boarding the bus they were greeted by a ticket conductor who found them some seats and they paid him the bus fare. After a short bus ride they were back where they started.
The morning walk by Annie
Tina, Sara, Jenny and Annie set off early to avoid the heat on their walk from Imerovigli to Oia along the 8km coastal track. The views of the caldera (rim of the crater), the Aegean and the buildings were spectacular along the way. The name 'Imerovigli' comes from Imera meaning day and vigla meaning view spot. It was so named as the villagers used to gather there to look out for danger such as approaching pirate ships. Oia looked like it was snow capped as all the white washed walls blended together from a distance. The track varied between cobbles and volcanic rock meandering up and down past flash resorts, isolated churches, and old terraced farmland with mules grazing. Arriving parched and hungry, a cafe with a roof top terrace was found and yummy breakfast and coddle enjoyed by all. The group then wandered the street enjoying the atmosphere whilst doing a bit of window shopping. They caught the local bus back to The car at Imrovigli with the helpful conductor letting them know when to get off. Once back to the apartments all had a well earned rest waiting for the others to return from their morning outing.
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The Canadians Arrive: Back in 1997 Sandy travelled to Peace River, Alberta where She had the most amazing year as a teacher exchange, where She swapped houses and jobs with a Canadian. Some of the people in the staff photo below have been long time friends ever since and we have met up on a number of occasions in Hawaii, back in Canada and here in Australia.
Squizz & Sandy found their way to the airport on the afternoon (after Sabdy checked in the Fkight Stats App the exact arrival time) to collect the new Travel Buddies.
Sandy & Cathy flew in a tad earlier and were eagerly waiting their arrival.
Lots of hugs and greetings and then we headed off to the Thiras Dolphin to check the ladies in.
A quick trip back to the apartments to collect Sandy's swimmers and see if anyone else wanted to come for a dip and then back to the Thira Dolpin. A great chance to catch up for Cathy, Sandy S and Sandy C.
Later that night we arranged a hire bus to take all 9 of us to Fira for the evening.
Sandy went and collected the Canadians ( who had a minor mishap we won't discuss) and took them back to the apartment for the bus.
Poor Sarah had a minor slip on the steep drive way but after being patched up by Dr Annie boarded our mini bus and we were off.
A lovely evening at a very long term traditional Greek restaurant ( recommended by Nike our apartment hostess) and then we split up and wandered the cobbled paths and narrow alleys and we reconvened at the Crazy Donkey establishment.
When ready to go home luck out it did not take too long at the taxi rank to get the 3 taxis needed. A nightcap and then all except Sandy went to bed, she sat with all her friends (NOT ) till the wee hours catching up on her social networking and blog.
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