Santorini, Greek island of the Caldera. This entire island is what is left of a massive volcano that erupted. The ancient trading port that was built here was covered in lava and sank into the ocean. Ancestors built a new city on top of the cliffs that border this watery caldera. The result is a super deep port surrounded by a city on the cliffs more than 600 feet overhead. The town is reached via a 30 minute stair climb, donkey ride, or new gondola. Inside the caldera, the lava rock strewn island in the center is what is left of the still active volcano's cone. Villages are dispersed along the cliff tops of this half moon shaped outer island of
Santorini.
I felt strange stepping into the gondola this evening without my snowboard. Strange too being dropped off at the gondola lift via a tender. Views from the gondola car got better and better as we quickly ascended the steep cliff side. I snapped pictures away of the harbor, town, and surround landscapes. Once atop, the pedestrian streets stretched in various directions downhill toward the sea side of the island. My group meandered through the maze of stone paved ways past jewelry and trinket shops. Stopping at a bakery for a massive doughnut, then on to a restraunt that overlooked the beach town on the opposite side of Santorini. Pressed for time, we took a long cut back to the Gondola, and found our selves winding through alleyways past many ancient buildings. Throughout the smell of donkeys was persistent as it was the Santorinians mode of transit up and down the steep cliffs for centurys.
The ride down the cable car was a new view, it now being dark. The yacht was lit up with all her lights, and even the mooring line tying us to shore was sparkling with strobe lights. There may be a chance that we could bring different groups of guests here this summer. I hope for the opportunity to return to this awe striking Greek island.
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