The alarm sounds and we have less than an hour to get ready. Dave runs to the store to buy eggs. Monique asks if he got butter too but of course being a guy he only purchased six eggs. We have tea and scrambled eggs that only slightly stick to the pan. We rush out to the prearranged parking lot pick up spot. There is another couple already there waiting to be picked up. We talk a little and then a man comes up and says the magic word "DESALVO" We go with him and we say what about them? They must be on a different boat.
On the mini bus most of the seats are taken so it’s to the back of the bus for us. One last stop and a young girl moves her way to the back and sits next to Dave. We learn her name is Alex, she is a foreign exchange student from Toronto Canada, is studying for a semester in Switzerland and traveling a bit before classes start. She arrived in Fira and walked the three hour hiking trail to Oia. We are very impressed. This is her last vacation day before returning to school so she decided to take this catamaran excursion. She tells us about her amazing upgrade to a 1000 euro a night villa. The place she booked with made a mistake and double booked her room. They only had the villa open so they gave it to her. This villa will play a major roll in the nights events. More later.
We line up, pay our 95 euro fee and get a big red sticker on our shirt so we don’t end up on the wrong boat. It’s a busy port with boats coming and going - our boat finally arrives and within minutes we are underway. The younger groups head for the front of the boat that has the bouncy mesh. It is where you can lay out your towel and sun tan. They shed their clothes and tanning ensues. There are booth-type seats in the center of the boat with a table in the middle. These provide shade and a place to put your bags. You can move about the boat at any time which everyone does.
The first stop is a hot springs in the middle of the caldera. We are told it is good for the skin and has curative powers. It is a volcano vent exiting in the water. The captain announces the sulfur in the water will turn a white suit to yellow. We arrive to a scene of goats climbing the lava hills and a old guy in a small row boat. It's odd. Everyone takes pictures. The group jumps or dives off the side or climbs down the ladder off the back of the boat to enter the water. We must swim a small distance then swim around the corner. Farther in you eventually can stand up on orange, rusty looking rocks. We wade into the "slightly" warmer water and the smell of sulfur is not as strong as we expected. The curative nature of the waters is questionable. Before they let us back into the boat we must be rinsed with a water hose to remove the rust. We scrub our feet on the deck and the rusty water washes away.
The weather cannot be more perfect. With the wind in your face and the occasional wave splash from the front bow this adventure is hard to beat. We move around the boat to take pictures of the ever changing scenery. The wine and soft drinks are included and lunch will be prepared later in the day. The wine is local (and free) so we have a taste. It is a nice white that is low on alcohol and it is very refreshing. We meet many different people on the boat. Next stop is red sand beach.
The boat anchors far out from the beach. The captain explains that part of the mountain broke off not long ago and crashed down onto the beach. It happened early in the morning so luckily no one was hurt. We can see big signs posted saying it is not safe, but notice a lot of people still around the cliffs. He drops anchor and tells us we can swim around the boat but not to the beach. We don't mind so everyone jumps in and enjoys the clear water. There is a lot of salt in the water so I am not sure how you could ever drown. You can lay back and just float and not even swim. It feels so good.
Back on the boat we are all having a great time and arrive at the next stop - white beach. The boat is pretty big and has a nice grill - the smell of charcoal makes our mouths water. This time the captain throws bread into the water and we are given masks and snorkels. Everyone gets back in the water. There are hundreds of smaller fish. Monique and I have snorkeled on the second best underwater reef in the world so this is minor but it is still fun. We swam around grabbing the full pieces of bread. If you break it up into small pieces you can get the fish to go crazy right under you. We went in after the initial rush and are the last to return to the boat. Back in the boat the smell of pork, chicken and vegetables cooking is wonderful. We sit with the same group to eat and learn more about each other. The food is really good - meat kabobs, greek salad, fruit, potato salad and more.
The boat pulls anchor and we are underway. For the return trip the crew unfurls the massive sails and we use wind power for the rest of our journey - pretty cool. We have great views of the cliffs and follow the coastline all the way back.
Now we will tell you more about Alex, the exchange student. Her villa is on the perfect side to view the sunset. People come from everywhere and crowd the pathways just to see the sun go down in this area. Alex feels guilty about having a very large deck and no one to use it and tosses out an invitation to see the sunset tonight. Of course we will and offer to bring wine and food. We tell her she can back out at any time but for sure we will show up. She is excited and agree on a meeting time at Vitrin creperies - it is not easy to find any villa here, so we need her to guide us. Several others we were talking to also take her up on the offer.
This is where the story gets funny. When we arrive back to our villa Dave sees the new neighbors, Megan and Emily laying out catching some sun - they are about the same age as Alex and asks them what they are doing tonight - What, no plans, come with us to this great deck to watch the sunset. Our other neighbors, the group of four from London walk buy and Dave extends the offer to them too. They accept. A party is in the works.
Our group of eight make our way through the crowded pedestrian walkway - drinks and snacks in tow. As we near our destination the crowds grow and are positioning to get a view of the sunset. Alex is waiting and Dave advises her he brought a few extra people. She leads us into her amazing place. We climb the narrow stairs past the first smaller sunning deck to the large upper deck. This is a million dollar view. Introductions are made and the wine bottles open. MaryAnn and Billy - two other women from the boat show up and it looks like Alex has her wish. But we are not done yet.
There is a deck right behind us with a small retaining wall. There are two couples having drinks so Dave goes over and talks to them. He tells the story about Alex's amazing upgrade. They say they did wonder because no one was using the deck the night before. We invite them over. They have a couple of other friends showing up too. Soon we have a full blown party on this deck. Alex pulls Dave aside and says I can't believe you pulled this together - it's amazing. It is her last night here. We watch the sun set and everyone is talking and drinking. We bring in another couple from the path to take our group picture. Around 8:00pm the London crew needs food and says goodbye. soon the remaining group tours Alex's pad and end up jumping on the beds and throwing pillows. Some of the woman discover the baskets of toiletries which Alex generously gives away - people are stuffing their pockets. We return to the roof top and the last bottle of wine is opened. The glasses were already carried down so we pass the bottle and drink it that way. The other group has beer and shares. We tour their place too. Monique and Dave give Alex a hug and say goodbye. A great time was had by all. Us old farts leave and the younger crowd carry the torch into the night.
PS: Megan, Emily and Alex really hit it off. Dave learns in the morning that Alex was leaving at 4:00am so they all stayed up and partied. The girls drove her to Fira in the night to catch her ferry. We smile because she now has a great story to tell about her last night in Santorini. We all had a great night.
An early morning scene - something you only see when you need to find eggs for an early breakfast.
Our red catamaran (cat) tour boat.
We think this guy lives on this rock with his chickens and goats and has some connection with the guys on the boat. We like to call him a “salty dog”.
The island is volcanic and mostly deserted - it’s really quite beautiful.
Chilling on the “cat”
More amazing scenery we see while cruising around the island of Santorini.
Pulling into the port around 3:00.
Our core party group: Emily, Megan, Alex, Gina, Julie, Dave, Monique, Sara, Dianne, Maryann and Billy.
This is why everyone crowds the narrow pathways for hours to see the sunset.
The extended party group.
Jumping on the beds never gets old.