DAY 8--SANTORINI AND OIA, GREECE
If you liked Mykonos with the whitewashed houses contrasted with the deep blues, wait until you see Santorini!! If you have seen the movie, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," you know what I mean because Oia is where they made the film.
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In 1450 BC, this volcanic island erupted forming Santorini's spectacular crescent shape. The center of the island sunk into the sea and Santorini went from a circular volcano to the shape of the crescent-formed islands that we see today.
At first sight, when you look at the top of the cliffs, you ask yourself, "Is that snow?" However, that is a whitewashed village clinging to the very top of the volcanic cliffs!
Our ship anchored in the ocean-filled caldera.
Our tour bus drove us to the northernmost village, Oia, known for its beautiful white buildings with blue domes. 
Doug with a famously photographed church in Oia.
The next few pictures don't need any explanation! Oia was this beautiful!!!!!
Old fortress on very northernmost tip
This is where Lena meets her Greek boyfriend in the movie!
The houses are actually cave houses, probably to give them some stability so that they won't slide off the cliffs.
These cave houses have not been repaired since a devastating earthquake in 1956.
Catholic church in Fira, population 2,000, the largest community on the island and capital.
Devastated by the earthquake in 1956, Fira was rebuilt and engraved into the volcanic cliffs with domed churches and barrel-roofed cave houses.
Shops catering to the tourists!
This is our trip back down--an easy cable car ride connecting our tender landing area of Skala to Fira.
There are other forms of transportation---
---You can either climb up or down 600 steps, (The Great Wall was 900 steps) or ride a donkey!!
Here are some of the more than 600 steps!
The trail is certainly a switchback!
On our tender ride back to the ship-a small piece of land in the caldera that withstood the eruption.
The ending of another wonderful day!!
Tomorrow, we are at sea, and then the next day we dock in NAPLES, ITALY and take a daylong shore excursion to The Isle of Capri, Sorrento and POMPEII!!
5 comments:
Santorini is definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth, and all your pictures look like you just bought postcards they are so perfect!! Where are you guys going next?
p.s.. Love that movie "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" even more after seeing Santorini in person!
Seeing this would be the reason for the whole trip! I really want to be there!
I could get cozy living in a place like this. Love the white and bright blue.. so beautiful!
My goodness, Joyce. What a beautiful place to see. How could you ever think of coming back to all the snow!!
THIS is where I want to go!! I love the white with blue roofs!!
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