Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic Island in.the Cyclades group. It's beautiful  Crescent  shape is part of an old caldera, with islands in the middle from other volcanic eruptions, the most recent being 1957.

It was an 8 hour ferry trip here on a ship the size of the Spirit of Tasmania. Around 500 of us alighted  and swarmed through the crowds trying to find Effie and the green folder.

The bus took us up a series of hairpin bends as we made our way up the inside wall of the old volcano.
The views became more stunning.

Such a dry dry Island. Grape vines grow prostrate soaking up moisture from the ground and air. Tiny tim tomatoes are others that are hardy enough to grow. And some of our gumtrees survive quite well, giving a slightly gnarled look like the occasional olive tree.

Not too long ago donkey would have been the major transport, but now donkeys are a specialty for the tourist trade. Quad bikes seem to have taken over.

Santorini seems made for tourists these days, and Anneli and I were 2 among many. The world gravitates to Santorini as the iconic Greek Island, and Santorini turns it on.

We arrived with our group of 21 at our courtyarded cool Rose Bay Hotel at Kumari.  After downing our bags we go for a swim in the inky blue coloured hotel pool, then wander down to the black sanded beach. All lined with umbrellas and tavernas.

We took a bus up to Fira in the evening, the main town on the island. And took a meal in a lovely taverna overlooking a breathtaking view at sunset.  Pikkies on Facebook.

We wandered around the narrow streets of kitchy bling and Disney lights, before getting on the local bus back home with very full stomachs.