Santorini in the Greek Islands

On the first of Oktober, Mark and I flew out of Zurich Airport towards the Greek Island of Santorini (St. Irene). On arrival the temperature was in the low twenties and the sun was shining. We took a taxi to our accommodation, the Kafieris Apartments On The Cliff, in Fira Stefani. Our room was cosy and clean. It had a balcony with a magnificent view over the Caldera, other islands, the beautiful blue sea, the magnificent sight of white buildings on the cliff faces and sunsets that defy imagination.


During our relaxing week we went for walks into Fira, the main city on the island where there were plenty of souvenir shops, tourist offices, kebab stalls and restaurants. Each of the towns can be accessed by a cobble-stoned walking track which follows the coast around, so the walks have a spectacular view. We took a boat cruise one day and stopped at the volcano and the thermal hot springs for a while. After jumping off the side of the boat into the sea and swimming for about 100 metres we thought that the thermal hot springs should be renamed the mildly warm springs. A couple of donkeys took us back up the very steep cliff when we returned to the Old Port of Fira.



On a couple of days we took a local bus ride to some beaches on the opposite side of the island. These beaches , Perissa and Kamari, had black sand and were covered with sun-lounges and umbrellas (that we needed to pay three Euros for). What a wonderful way to relax, with warm air and mild water temperatures. Mark and I both read a few novels while relaxing in this way.

Overall we had a great time; friendly people on the island; warm weather; delicious food; gorgeous sunsets - the most difficult decision we had to make each day was when to have our first beer.


P.S. While Mark and I were away the girls remained in Dagmersellen and Hetty (their second cousin from Germany) came down to stay with them. They had an all-day trip to Europa Park, an adventure playground for teenagers and beyond, where they had a wonderful time. A couple of day trips into Luzern were had. Tante Netty and Hetty's father, Bernd, visited Dagmersellen for a few days as well. We were happy to catch up with them when we got back home.