Santorini, Greece



Santorini is stunning! Yes, I know I say that about just about everyplace I have been but Santorini really is a beautiful place.



Santorini Sunset



Fira, Santorini

  Santorini was originally a large round island but around 1613 BC earthquakes and volcanic eruptions resulted in a one of the largest explosions ever on Earth.  18 cubic miles of hot molten magma blew out the center of Santorini causing a column of ash that rose 22 miles into the atmosphere. The central part of the island collapsed and sea water rushed in filled the void.  You can still see the crater of the volcano in the picture below - that center island called Nea Kameni.  The exterior parts of the island that remained have sheer walls now called the Caldera.  Due to the structure of the island there not a lot of beaches on Santorini.  The ones that are there are small, but beautiful and are either red sand, black sand or white sand beaches.   I was in Santorini well before the start of tourist season. The weather was fairly warm but the winds blew hard for several days, enough that you would not want to sit on a beach and sunbathe. 

Standing on the island of Santorini, looking at the Nea Kameni, the center of the original volcano.

Believe it or not, Santorini is know for its donkeys.  Cars are allowed on the island, but there are many places that they can't go.  For instance, if you want to take a boat ride out to the volcano's center you have to get down to the port and your choices are to walk down, ride a donkey or take the cable car.  I was lazy - I walked down (so I could get some cute "Donkeys of Santorini" pictures),  and took the cable car back up after my boat trip.  

Donkey ride - 5 Euros

Cable Car ride - 4 Euros

Boat Ride back towards Santorini and Nea Kameni to the right

There are Greek Orthodox Churches everywhere you look in Santorini.  You can tell them by the blue dome and bright white exteriors and the crosses on top.  The domed churches are what many people think of when they think of the Greek islands.  

 

 There are also a lot of old-fashion windmills all over the island.  Some have been converted into hotels or houses, only a few are still in use.  Santorini is definitely a wind-swept island.  While wandering around I notice that the grape vines used to make Santorini wine are not staked up like at home, they are grown on the ground.  The vines are trained to grow in a coil, like a garden hose because that helps keeps the moisture in and protects the grapes from the winds. 

 The previous 3 pictures are of the town of Oia on Santorini.  In 1956, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake leveled the entire town of Oia (and most of Fira) and killed scores of people.  This town has been completely rebuilt since the quake.  It was a beautiful town and the main footpaths are paved with marble.