Day Eight: Santorini

We were awake early on Easter Sunday and the ship had already anchored off the island of Santorini.  Our group had breakfast and then got ready to disembark  at the Skala port for  a shore excursion to the town of Oia.

Early morning on the tender boat

Tender boat to Skala

On the tender boat

Assistance to disembark

Just a few more to go

Oia is considered to be the oldest settlement on the island and home to the beautiful white buildings with blue dome roofs that are seen in photographs of Santorini.  We took a tender boat to the port and then boarded the bus with our tour guide for the morning.  He was very entertaining and told us he had been up most of the night celebrating Easter.  The bus ride was very scenic, we drove through large areas where tomatoes, fava beans, eggplants  and other produce are grown.  Santorini is also known for its vineyards.

Narrow winding roads

Overlooking the volcano

Rich agricultural land

When we arrived in Oia we were given free time to roam the winding streets and check out the gift shops.  As we walked up and down the narrow winding streets we saw people roasting lamb for their upcoming Easter dinner.

Beautiful white buildings with blue domes

Our meeting place in front of the church

Group photo!!

Windmills

All built on the side of a cliff

Many levels of streets

Contrast of colours

Church bells

Oia

Roasting lamb

We boarded the bus and returned to Fira where we walked to the cable car and descended to where the tender boats were waiting to take us back to our ship.  After a delicious lunch everyone took advantage of some free time to relax, take a nap, explore the ship and enjoy the sunshine.

Nap time

Later in the afternoon some of us went back to the port of Skala.  There are three ways to get to Fira from the port; walk up the steep hill, take the cable car or ride a donkey.  Most of the group chose to ride the donkeys while Doug, Carol and I took the cable car up to meet them.  I think the donkey ride was a highlight for many of the group even if it went by too quickly!!

Well behaved donkeys

Yeehaw!!

The man in charge

At the top

Runaway donkey

Down the steps they go

In the evening we had a leisurely dinner. Some of the students went to listen or take part in the Karaoke Night.  Others in our group went to the Music and Dance Revue in the showroom.  We had an early night because we would be leaving the cruise ship early the next morning. Our Greek cruise had come to an end!!

Farewell to Santorini