Day 10 - Crete & Santorini

We started our day on the island of Crete. Some went on a shore excursion offered by the ship into the countryside to a farm where they had (terrible) wine & cheese & crackers and watched traditional folk dancing. Others walked into the city where we docked. Others hung out on board the ship trying to stay cool. It was hot today - really hot. This part of the world is experiencing a heat wave right now. Athens was 105 degrees and closed the Acropolis. It’s suppose to be down to 98 tomorrow there when we arrive.

After Crete we set sail for the beautiful island of Santorini. Santorini is a caldera of a volcano that blew its top about 1300BC. There are towns scattered around the edges of the cliffs. It is the most famous and photographed of all the 3000 islands in Greece. With its white buildings and blue domed churches, Oia (pronounced ee-ah), is the most desired destination spot for people traveling to Greece. To visit there was an optional tour offered by the ship. Those who chose not to pay to go to Oia could take a tender off the ship to shore and take a cable tram up the cliffs to the beautiful town of Thira. While not as famous and picturesque as Oia, it is also perched atop the cliffs of the caldera looking out over the Aegean with white buildings. Most of our group went to Oia, but some opted for Thira. Evryone enjoyed the views.