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Greece

The volcano Island of Nea Kameni

We decided to take a day trip to the island of Nea Kameni which is the youngest volcanic land form in the eastern Mediterranean. We arrived at the old port of Santorini and boarded a ship which would take us to the island.

Tour boat for the island of Nea Kameni

We boarded and settled in for our trip to the volcano island.

Shelley on the tour boat heading to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni

The view of the islands around Santorini were spectacular from the boat. We enjoyed the trip over to the volcanic island and the views.

A view from the boat on our way to the Nea Kameni island

We arrived at the island and debarked along with two other boat to begin our walk up the volcanic island.

The soil was almost completely made up of dacite lava  and ash.

We began our climb up the slopes of the island making our way towards the 130 meters high summit.

Walking up the slopes of the Nea Kameni Island

It was a hot day with a temparature of 29 degrees celsius. We took several breaks along the way to enjoy the views and catch our breath.

Ray taking a break along the slopes of the Nea Kameni

We continued up the slopes until we reached the highest point. From there the views were stunning. We could see Santorini Island and for miles around the entire area.

Shelley and Ray near the top of the Nea Kameni Island

Ray even climbed the small rock marker that indicated the highest point so he could get a photo.

Ray at the highest point of the Nea Kameni island.
The view from the top of Nea Kameni Island
View from the top of Nea Kameni Island

After enjoying the views and taking a well deserved break we took one last selfie before heading back down to the boat.

Ray and Shelley at the top of Nea Kameni Island
Shelley heading back down to the shoreline of Nea Kameni
Ray heading down the slope of Nea Kameni Island

We arrived back at our boat and prepared for our second adventure of the day. We were heading to the hot springs that were located in the shallow waters on the other side of the island.

Ray getting ready to go swimming into the hot springs at Nea Kameni island.

We approached the bay area where the hot springs were located. The boat was not able to get close to the springs and anchored off shore. Everyone that wanted to go  swimming in the hot springs had to jump into the water from the boat and swim to the hot springs.

People swimming to the hot springs at Nea Kameni Island

Ray jumped in and swam to the hot spring located near shore. The hot springs are noted to have therapeutic benefits. The mud there contains sulfur and many people rub the mud on themselves for the theraputhic effects. After a short swim in the hot spring everyone returned to the boat.

Ray in the hot springs of the Nae Kameni Island

After everyone was back on board, the boat returned to Santorini. It was a very enjoyable experience, spending the day exploring the island of Nea Kameni.

“Απολαύστε τη ζωή και ζήστε τη στιγμή.”

Greece

Exploring the Island of Santorini

The town of Thera on the Island of Santorini was very beautiful and interesting. The white washed buildings and stunning views from the cliffs made for great vistas.

View of the town of Thera on Santorini Island

We walked through the narrow streets of the town admiring the different shops and the views.

Ray and Shelley in the town of Thera in Santorini
Pedestrian walkway along the cliff edge of the town of Thera.

The streets were adjacent to beautiful white washed buildings.

Shelley along one of the narrow streets in Thera Santorini

Some of the stores and shops were very impressive with beautiful art and unique items.

White washed buildings along the streets of Thera

We walked along the streets which were either leading upwards or heading downwards toward the Aegean sea. There was very few areas without some form of incline or decline.

We walked up stairs along the cliff edge and eventually came to a restaurant with a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of local wine. We relaxed at our table which provided us with a perfect view of the island.

The views at our table also provided us with a fantastic view of the caldera which was caused by a volcano which is still considered active today.

Satellite image of the Santorini caldera. Photo courtesy of NASA – http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02673

The volcano was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, which occurred about 3,600 years ago.

After enjoying a rest and admiring the views, we headed back down towards the old port of Santorini. Along the way we would stop and just take in the moment admiring the views.

Ray on the Island of Santorini, Greece

We decided to go down the steps which lead to the old port located at the base of the island. Each step was numbers and they were fairly steep.  We took our time and walked carefully and slowly down the  587 steps to the bottom.

Stairs leading down to the old port of Santorini.

Along the way down we came to an area which had lots of donkeys. There were people selling rides down the steps on the back of a donkey for five euros.

Donkeys along the steps leading down to the old port of Santorini.

We continued walking down the steps and about half way down we came across more donkeys. These were just standing on the stairs and were not tied. They just stood there and we had to cross behind or in front of them. It was somewhat apprehensive for some people.

Donkeys standing on steps on the way down to the old port of Santorini.

It was not a pleasant walk down because of all the donkey fecal matter on many of the steps.  Once we reached the bottom we came to a cruise boat offering tours to the volcano. We decided to take the tour and explore the volcano, but that is for another post.

“Κάντε μια υπέροχη μέρα και μείνετε ασφαλείς.”

Greece

Wine tasting in Santorini Greece

We enjoyed a very unique wine tasting while we were on the island of Santorini. We went to a wine restaurant called “K’nttos” in the town of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini.

K’nttos wine restaurant on the island of Santorini Greece.

We entered the restaurant through an outdoor patio area which was quite impressive.

Garden area of the restaurant

We were met for our wine tasting by our sommelier who lead us to a unique entrance into some wine caves.

Ray at the entrance of the wine caves

These caves were over 300 years old and fitted for wine tasting.

View of the cave area with different wines and spirits are stored.

We explored the caves looking at the displays of wines and specialty spirits.

Wine on display in the caves
Cave walls with dug out spots for wine bottles
Different spirits stored in the caves

We sat down at a table in a section of the cave where the tasting would take place.

The sommelier then explained the history of the wine in Greece and in particular on the island of Santorini.

Ray and Shelley with other guest at the wine tasting.
Display with samples of wine and a box with specific aromas associated with wine.

Our sommelier explained the different types of soil on the island and how the soil impacts the overall taste of the wine.

A box with the different soils of the area where wine grapes are grown on the island.

She explained how they coil the grape wines in a unique way to help make the harvest easier.

A photo of the grape vines and how they coiled them into small rings for easier harvest.

The tasting of the different wines and learning about the specific wines of Santorini was very enjoyable and interesting.

“Ζήστε τη ζωή στο έπακρο και έχετε μια υπέροχη μέρα.”

Greece

Acropolis Museum

We went to the Acropolis museum in Athens. The outside of the museum was very modern looking. It has a total area of 25,000 square meters, and is well known for the fantastic original artifacts.

Front entrance to the Acropolis museum in Athens.

As we got closer to the entrance of the museum we could see some ruins that were under the museum building. They had kept areas open for the public to see.

Ancient ruins under the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

There was even a glass floor which you could walk on and see the ruins underneath.

Glass floor at the entrance area of the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
Ancients ruins under the Acropolis museum

The archaeological excavation on display are remnants of an ancient neighbourhood that once stood there. The ruins were complete with a drainage system, bathhouses and mosaics.

We entered the museum and headed to the third floor. We always like to start at the top of a museum and work our way down. On the top floor, there were large windows which provided stunning views of the Acropolis.

Shelley and Ray on the top floor of the Acropolis Museum with a view of the Acropolis in the back

What was quite interesting about the top floor was its design. We discovered that it was made to reflect the size 70 meters long by 31 meters wide and orientation of the Parthenon. It was made so that the displays would reflect the actual location as it would have been in ancient times.

We explored the third floor and can across the floral ‘Akroterion’ which was atop of the Parthenon.  The colour of the pieces indicates if it is original or a plaster addition to complete the piece.

A reconstruction from both original and plaster pieces of the floral ‘Akroterion’ which crowned the top of the east pediment measuring 4 metres high.

There was a model of the pediments, which are the triangular spaces formed by the horizontal and raking cornices of the roof. There was one at each end of the temple.

Shelley beside the model of the pediments,

We then went to see the original pediments which were on display.

Shelley looking at the pediments on display at the Acropolis museum

There was a display of the different metopes that were of the Parthenon.

Metopes on display in the Acropolis Museum

The metopes were on the upper the upper part of Parthenon supported by colonnades.

Details of one of the Metope’s on display

We walked through the rest of the museum looking at the original artifacts that were removed from the Acropolis and put on display at the museum.

Artifacts on display in the Acropolis museum

After exploring the museum, we decided to go and enjoy a glass of wine on the outdoor patio of the museum.

The view from the outdoor patio at the Acropolis museum

It was a very interesting and enjoyable day exploring the Acropolis museum.

“Έχετε μια υπέροχη μέρα, μέχρι την επόμενη φορά.”

Greece

The Acropolis

We reached the top of the Acropolis after walking up the steep slopes and entered through some large marble pillars.

Entrance pillars at the top of the Acropolis

It was an awe inspiring site with so much rich history. We walked slowly through the pillars in amazement that we were actually there.

Walking through the pillars at the entrance area of the Acropolis

It was a surreal felling as we began to explore the ancient citadel on the rocky outcrop above the city of Athens.  The top of the Acropolis is quite large and the buildings are separated from each other.  The first structure we went to see was the Parthenon, which is the former temple  dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The Parthenon temple located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

The Parthenon is fairly large and has a height of 13.72 meters (45 Feet) and is very impressive to see. As we approached the Parthenon we could see the details on the pillars and roof beams.

A view of some of the pillars and roof beams of the Parthenon.
View of the details on the beam area of the Parthenon
Shelley at the base of the Parthenon

We walked around the Parthenon which was built in 432 BC and admired the architecture. It is indescribable the awe inspiring feelings we had. It was extraordinary to think that the Parthenon is the most important surviving building of  classical Greece.  After exploring the Parthenon we went to the temple of the Erechtheion.

The temple of the Erechtheion on Acropolis.

The temple of Erchtheion was decidated to both Athena and Poseidon. This structure was smaller but still very impressive.

Ray in front of the temple of Erechtheion on Acropolis

We walked around the temple and could see some of the statues along the porch area on the north side of the building.

Porch of the Caryatids on the north side of the temple of Erchtheionhe.

This porch is called “Porch of the Caryatids”. named after the statues.

View of the six Caryatids on the porch at the temple of Erchtheion

The six Caryatids are not the same their faces, stance, draping, and hair are all slightly different. We walked around the exterior of the Temple of Erchtheion looking at the different sections. On the south side we came to some large pillars and another porch area.

South side of the Erchtheion

The view was breath taking from there. We could see the city of Athens and the mountains.

The view of Athens and mountains from the temple of Erchtheion

After exploring this area, we moved on and explored the rest of the Acropolis.

There were Pillars and other ruins throughout the site. We walked around and tried to imagine how it was when it was build around 500 BC.

A view of some of the ruins on the Acropolis in Athens
Pillars and other remains from 500 BC on the Acropolis.

This was truly one of the highlights so far of our adventures in Europe. The ancient Greece  was the birth place of democracy, was the source of some of the greatest literature, architecture, science and philosophy. It was an amazing thing to be on the Acropolis and see the historic ruins.

Shelley and Ray on the Acropolis in Athens.

“Tahnks και να έχουν μια μεγάλη μέρα”