Once again back to Santorini as Jeanne would be flying out from here in a few days time and we had many things to see and do on the island!

As before, there was nowhere actually on the coast of Thira (the main island of Santorini) to safely anchor or moor so we returned to the mooring bouy in the bay of the piece of rock known as Thirasia just opposite Thira and a view of the iconic Oia.

Thirasia has a small community around the bay aimed at day visitors on tourist boats from Thira and it is a quaint and friendly place but without the glamour of its neighbour! We missed swimming in the sea but enjoyed the peace and quiet especially as once again the wind was turning pretty fierce.

We took the midday ferry across to Thira to see the main tourists sight of Oia and have a spot of lunch! We were very happy with the service of the 30 minute ferry which crosses the bay daily at a very reasonable 1 Euro per person! Even though our first voyage was choppy to say the least!

The ferry was bathed in sunshine and hardly a ripple of movement in the bay but once we were out of the shelter of the islands it was a different story and swift movement of seating arrangements took place!

On arrival at the port I wondered where we could get the bus or taxi to take us up to the top of the island because surely we would not be climbing the 300 steps it would take otherwise?? Wrong!!!!

Some younger people found it less traumatic than some not so young people but I have to say it was a true achievement and put my previous record (albeit about 30 years ago!) of the 193 steps in Covent Garden tube station in the shade!

The view from the beautiful terrace bar at the top was breathtaking – or it would have been if I had had any breath left!

This is me after some wine and oxygen had been applied!!

We made out way through the narrow lanes still bustling with late season tourists and overwhelmed by the options to purchase Santorini branded tea towels, ashtrays, linen shirts and beach bags we headed to the sanctity of the Maritime Museum! The first exhibit they had was of Santorini’s strategic place in the Med and we were amazed to see that one of the key trading partners was Genoa, 1008 miles away, and our starting point back in March! Wow!

We then had lunch in a beautiful place, slightly off the beaten track serving the most fantastic food we have had so far. Much though we love the traditional souvlakis and taverna meze type meals, this was a different league yet still traditional and made with local ingredients! And really pleasantly surprised to find myself drinking white wine and finding it fabulous!

We were all jolly happy and the food, wine and ambience set us in good heart before the 300 steps climb down again and onto the hopefully less bumpy ferry back to Mossy Joe!

The following day we would be taking the ferry to Thira again but this time leaving the boat in the bay overnight and staying on the island so that we could see Jeanne off before her early flight. We would also get to see another less busy but equally enchanting part of Santorini. We were to hire a car and stay in the ‘Love Leopard Caves’ and as you can imagine that was not without its special moments!

More on our time there, Santorini’s lost volcano village and our own dancing mermaids next time!

Have a great weekend.

Love and hugs, Tracey xx