We steamed into port about 10:00 this morning so during breakfast we had a chance to watch as we entered the caldera of this ancient volcano.
As we got closer to the harbor at Fira we began to see the buildings perched on the top of the rim.
Because of the canyon-like drop-off at the shore ships cannot dock and have to tender passengers into shore. So at the appointed hour we checked in to our excursion and were placed in a group for tendering.
Arriving at shore our group found our bus and guide and we were off.
Our guide was lively, informative, and humorous constantly engaging the group in his presentation.
He talked about the history of the island and the volcanoes that formed it. He also talked about its economic history – how the first electrical grid was installed in 1974, how typical housing until recently was in caves, and how the advent of a massive influx of tourism has led to a sudden and significant increase in income levels but also produced an unmanageable disparity between tourism related business and local infrastructure (schools, hospitals, etc.).
He also talked about agriculture on the island. There is no accessible aquifer and a dry season with no appreciable moisture. The main crop on the island is grapes, but they are grown in a way that preserves what moisture can be gleaned from dew.
Arriving at our first stop, Oia, we walked to the church square where our guide talked about the town, famous for tourists and a set of blue domed churches. He also pointed out that the blue of a church dome ties it into the blue of the sky making a visual link to heaven.
He gave us some hints on how to get the best photo of the famous image and turned us lose. The line to capture an exact duplicate of the most famous image is long and slow so he suggested alternatives, one of which I chose to capture this.
Mission accomplished I met the rest of the crew for a refreshment stop at one of the many local eateries.
Back on the bus we headed for our second stop Fira (the capital). Not having the iconic view of blue domes Fira has developed its economy around shopping. With several main shopping streets it provides endless opportunity to separate tourists from their money. We chose to sample the local wine and a Greek salad in a nice little place overlookng the spectacular views of the caldera.
Back on the bus we headed for our last stop of the day – The Royal Caribbean Beach Club.
This new facility is specifically for the use of Royal Caribbean guests. Somewhat smaller than other such beach clubs it doesn’t have pools, water park features and such. I has a really nice beach, food, and libations.
So we hung out on the beach, some of us played in the water, most of us ate dinner with some amazing Greek specialties, and one or two of us managed a small nap.
Two other notes in passing.
At one point someone asked about all the small churches we were seeing.
Asked of our opinion most of replied “Taxes.” He admitted that this is true but suggested that there were other reasons as well. One possibility is that placing a church somewhere makes the land ‘hallowed ground’ – not subject to purchase or subdivision. But the ultimate answer is electricity. Remember that the island didn’t have an electrical grid until 1974. But distribution to individual homes took somewhat longer. Priority for connections were given to churches.
But wait, there’s more. Running power from a transmission line to a home was a relatively expensive affair. But not for churches. The Government paid to connect churches.
The only requirement is that the church must hold a celebration each year to honor the saint for which the church is named.
I suspect that some combination of these factors played a part in each decision to build a church.
Along the ride from Fira to the Beach Club our guide started talking about the story of Atlantis.
He made the mistake of asking what anyone knew about Atlantis.
He received a deluge of information – from several kids Renner and Asher’s ages.
It was kind-of funny to watch his reaction as they rattled off all kinds of information – some of it classical tales, others (like trained dolphins) drawn from current stories.
But he turned it into a grea discussion explaining who Socrates was and how his pupil Plato developed the story of Atlantis – all to the added commentary of kids who knew about Greek philosophers as well.
OK, back to the story.
Eventually it was time to head back to the tender port.
Since the Beach Club is on the ‘outside’ with a gradual slope but the ships are on the inside with the under-water canyon our bus drove us up and over and down the steep sswitchbacks to the port.
Eventually we were back on the ship, in our beds, and dreaming of volcanoes and blue domes.
Tomorrow is Kusadesi (Turkey) – the port for Ephesus.
Jen and Brian are celebrating their anniversary by taking an excursion by themselves while the boys hang out with Nana and Papa.
It promises to be an adventurous day.
Till then,
R