5/12 Santorini
Today was a free day, so there were many adventures. A few people got up early to climb the mountain to see the sunrise, while some climbed the mountain--all the way to the top--later in the afternoon. A group took the bus over to Fira to do some sightseeing and shopping and attempted to go to a museum, but it was closed. One of the things for which Fira is famous is its 566 steps down to the Old Port. (Most of the buildings on Santorini are up on the top of the island because it's so steep.) Several of us walked down those steps to the port and then took the very convenient cable cars back to the top. Four of us took a boat from the port out to the caldera and hiked around the volcano. Sunsets from Ia (the town on the west end of Santorini) are also famous. Some of us were able to witness that; a few rented and took scooters there while others rode the bus. It may have been a free day, but we filled it with many exciting adventures! And don't worry--our sunburns are healing.
City in the cliff--Fira.
Climbing the mountain.
Hagos climbing on volcanic rock.
Hagos, Melanie, Carolynn, and Bethany on the volcano.
Hiking on the volcano.
Kamari at sunrise.
Carolynn, Mel, and Hagos on the boat, with the 566 stairs in the background.
Sunset from Ia.
The switchbacks of the mountain to be hiked are clearly visible.
The old port.
Walking down the stairs at Fira--the donkeys looked too smelly!