Santorini
- Greece (2022)
Santorini,
(Thera in classical Greek), is an island in the southern
Aegean Sea, about 120 mi southeast from the Greek mainland
The island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history (the Minoan eruption), which occurred about 3,600 years ago The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of metres deep. |
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Using the map at right as reference Today we are visiting #5 #6 our next port is Bodrum, Turkey #8 in a few days is Mykanos, Greece  |
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As
we approached Santorini, the weather was very foggy |
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 Other cruise ships are headed to the same place   Many small boats are also visiting Santorini  |
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Straight
ahead at the shoreline is the cable car station to transport people
to the top |
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 The Regal Princess got there ahead of us Its tenders are already on the way to shore  |
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Looking
out to sea from inside the Santorini horseshoe shaped crater  |
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While
waiting for permission to disembark passengers, we took pictures
of various views of the island |
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There
are 5 cruise ships in port today. Three of them have thousands
of passengers onboard |
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All
tourists are aiming for the same destination |
Looks
like our 300 cruisemates are joining them |
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When
we visited Santorini in 1996, our ship of a few hundred was the only
one in port It took no time at all to get to the top of the island |
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Some
people, like our friends rode the donkeys We read his article
once back home |
Eventually
passengers began returning to the ship with tales of 1 1/2 hour
wait to get on the cable car Similar stories for those opting for the donkeys Just as well we decided not to go ashore. |
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In addition to a beautiful sunset,
Santorini had another experience in store for us The "fire on the mountain" is in memory to the volcanic eruption that formed the island and subsequent eruptions over the centuries  |
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When
darkness allowed, there was a massive fireworks display |
Click
the picture below for a video |
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Leaving
Santorini Behind |
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