Booked this day tour for our last day. But first, donkeys! So hug-able no? 😀 ❤
Pretty sure by now everyone knows about the donkeys on Santorini. “Traditionally”, they are used as taxis to transport tourists up and down 500 steps from the old port to Fira. They’re often made to climb several times a day, without adequate water, rest, and shelter (or medical care when they get injured). This is abuse. Please please please don’t support this shit anymore. There is a cable car if you really really want to go down to the old port (what for I don’t know). Or you can stroll down and cable car up. There is no reason to ride these poor things. 😥
Alrighty. We got picked up in this nice small minivan, which got us really excited. Unfortunately, we were then dropped off some place later and asked to wait for the big tour bus. #CheatMyFeelings Our tourguide Tanya was really fun though. Best guide we’ve had this trip methinks. She also made me feel pretty confident about this tour because SHE WAS IN SLIPPERS TOO! Lol. 😀
Prophet Elias Monastery
Situated on the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias, Prophet Elias Monastery is one of the oldest churches on the island. The end. Lol. Sorry but monasteries totally bore me to tears by now. The view at the top was breathtaking though. Look at the blue blue sky! #NoFilter Just come here for the view lah. 😐
Steps leading to the actual monastery, which was closed to public that day.
Megalochori Village
At the entrance, we came across these and our guide explained that they are actually grape vines! I’ve seen them throughout the trip and have wondered what they were. So apparently, the vines are trained into a Santorini “kouloura”, or wreath/basket. This is to protect the grapes from the strong winds, volcanic sand, scorching sun, and lack of water. They’re all empty cos harvesting season was just over. So interesting right?!
Megalochori is one of the most picturesque villages on the island, almost abandoned after a major earthquake. Not sure why this is a tourist attraction though. We just walked through the narrow streets of the village from one end to the other. *shrugs*
Lots of bougainvillea everywhere!
Akrotiri
My favorite part of the tour! It’s optional so the 12€ (S$18.15) entrance fee was not included in the package.
The prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri is one of the most important sites in the Aegean. In prehistory it was a well-connected Minoan port town, with connections to mainland Greece and as far afield as Egypt and Syria. As the town was covered in ash following a volcanic eruption on the island, preservation of the settlement is exceptional, making this one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece.
– www. archaeology-travel.com
Akrotiri is often referred to as the “Greek Pompeii”. I dug up my old post on visiting the Pompeii exhibition in Singapore. (You can’t really see the photos though, unfortunately. Stupid Photobucket.) We had another guide take us through this exhibition and while it was in quite a rush, it was really interesting to hear and see about the excavations. Much better than if we aimlessly walked around ourselves and read the information panels. Definitely recommend this with a guide!
Beds
The main road in town (I think)
A mill in front of the ‘supermarket’
More beds
Bathtub
Archaeologists at work
Over all too soon. I love exhibitions like this. Now I wanna go Egypt to see mummies. Anybody want sponsor? 😛
Red Beach
From Akrotiri, we took a ~15-20 minutes “hike” to the Red Beach. Had to walk along the sandy and rocky beach/coast and then climb uphill the rocky slopes to see the beach. It’s apparently one of the most scenic and interesting beaches on the island.
Red Beach is without a doubt worth a visit considering that it is a rare sight, probably unique in the whole world, where red is the dominant color. It is enclosed by steep red hills that create a captivating, wild scenery.
However, officially, the Red Beach is classed as unsafe, as it is prone to landslides. Still we saw many many people there. Guess sunbathing was more important lol.
Starting point
Past this
Clear water
Red rocks
Red beach!
Black Beach
Headed for lunch at this tavern called Savvas Popeye. It faces the Perivolos Beach, or Black Beach. Was recommended the grilled squid by the guide, and the hub finally got to eat it. 😛 It was nice and not hard at all. Then I thought I’d order something light so I got the salmon salad. Nearly fainted when it came. IT WAS HUGE! Raw marinated salmon slices were pretty generous too. Overall very yummy lunch! I likey.
Grilled squid (11.50€, S$17.45)
Salmon salad (10€, S$15.15)
Spaghetti (Beef) Bolognese (9€, S$13.65)
Went down to the beach while waiting for the bus. Just black sand, nothing special lol.
Fine black sand
Where we had late lunch
Looks so fun!
SantoWines
Last stop of the day – wine tasting! We were given 3 types of wine to try, 2 whites and 1 red. Bought a small bottle of white back and my family liked it. Kinda regret not getting the bigger bottle. Apparently their wines cannot be found even in Athens Airport, so get it while you’re at the winery!
They have nice views too. 🙂
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End of the tour! Going back the next day.
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