Treated myself to a slower morning, and finally got down to breakfast in time to join Rob and Jane on the terrace outside. We packed our suitcases and checked out, and walked to the Apollo's Gate which is near the port but up on the cliffs. We imagined
what the temple of which this was a gate, must have looked like in its heyday......visible from all around no doubt. The view of the port from there was stunning.
A cold drink, and then it was time to get on the ferry. A more modern boat with lots of
floors! Simon found 5 comfy seats with a sea view, and Linda and I did crossword puzzles, and ate a little bit of lunch. The queues to get off the boat were very long, and we had spotted cruise ships off the coast too. The port is at the bottom of sheer cliffs,
and it is a hive of activity with coaches and taxi drivers all over! We managed to get to our mini bus and drive up the hairpin bends to Santorini and on to Fira, the main town. Our hotel is modern and my room is stylish. Nearly all of us are on the ground
floor around the pool. We aren't in the place long before 4 or 5 of us are in the pool, cooling off! I love having a poolside room!
We met at 6 for a walk into Santorini. To be honest, most of us preferred Naxos. Santorini has become
a tourist Mecca! However the street which runs along the top has wonderful views of the sea and the setting sun. We stop here for a while and then proceed through the winding streets, past all the little boutiques, to a lovely airy restaurant, where we enjoy
a good meal and good company! This place is a shopper's paradise, but we are glad to be getting away from it on our walk from Fira to Oia tomorrow.