Santorini isn't like I expected. I am just one of the entire population that seems to be made up of tourists or people who cater to the holiday makers.
It is so dry, not a green blade of grass amongst the brown burnt sun charged stalks. The grape vines lie espaliated along the ground producing abundant wine. Water is sparse but wine is plentiful.
High brown cliffs rise up out of the blue sea. The sky above is pale, a haze hangs heavily, I suspect from volcanic ash.
The atmosphere of the place is resonant of India to me. It seems to be sliding back into 3rd world status with the same indolence accompanied by manic bustle.
I am on a cruise boat headed towards a volcanic island and hot springs...
Wow what a day! An hours tough climb in 30° heat, scaling the side of a volcano, Nea Kameni the crunching pumice under foot, hot to the touch. I encouraged myself all the way back down with the thought of a beer when I reached the ship.
Then we sailed to a swimming spot where I dived off the side of the ship into cool water. I had made a new friend by now, Manar from Syria but living in the US with her diplomatic and studious husband who had stayed behind to review a book.
As we swam further from the boat the water temperature rose till we were swimming in a warm mud bath. The mud stained me slightly orange the rest of day.
The ship called us back with its siren and we sailed onto another part of the island and docked for lunch. I am always so fortunate in companions, Manar and I enjoyed a sea food lunch, at Thirassia. With
great conversation, sharing the common interest of yoga, followed by an amazing swim. I say amazing because I have never swum in water that looked as azure under the water as I swam in there.
At the next stop I said good bye to my new friend, her tour was over but I continued up the side of a cliff on a donkey to the town of Oia. I did a small amount of tourist shopping (a t-shirt and fridge magnet for my collection from around the world) as I walked to the place where we would watch the sunset.
Somehow there was one unreserved table up the top of the restaurant apparently waiting just for me. I had a spectacular dinner and view of the sun as it turned into a red orb and was swallowed by the sea, sharing the experience with the patrons at the other two tables. A young lady in a long red dress and flowing blond hair looked like a Greek goddess as she leaned out over the wall.
To finish off the night I got the last seat on the bus sitting right up the front to watch the lights and life at night as we wound our long way back along narrow streets.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
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