Wednesday, July 22, 2020

6/22/2011 Ferry Mykonos to Naxos to Santorini, Santorini/Atrina Cave Houses, dinner at Laokasti Restaurant

Breakfast-same as before.  But this morning I have a bad sore throat so no coffee.  Tea instead.  Anna gives me a vitamin C tablet and writes down on paper the name of medicine I should get in Santorini.  It's very windy and there may be a storm coming.  Check out 255€ for 3 nights and 24€ for food and drinks-total 279€/$397.03.  Yanni takes us to Old Port where we will catch our ferry to Santorini.





FERRY.  MYKONOS-NAXOS-SANTORINI.  The ferry system in Greece is a great way to travel among the islands.  So convenient.  Of course not as fast as flying but relaxing.

Ferry Mykonos to Naxos


Ferry Naxos to Santorini/Fira


     HELLENIC SEAWAYS FLYING CAT 3 from Mykonos to Naxos.  Departs 9:50 am.  Arrives Naxos 10:30 am.
     BLUE STAR NAXOS from Naxos to Santorini.  Departs 1:15 pm.  Arrives 3:20 pm.





We board the first ferry to Naxos.  It is full.  Had to tote the luggage up a lot of stairs.  Sea very choppy.  Arrived late around 11:15 am.  There's a small cafe on the dock area where we will wait.  We oder drinks.  Small orange juice, coke 2.70€.  There is no place to leave our luggage so we can't do any wandering around town.  Too bad since we have almost 2 hours before our next ferry.

Our ferry is arriving in Mykonos a bit late

Very sleek looking



Leaving Mykonos

Arriving Naxos

View of some ruins on Naxos-Portara gateway from the unfinished Temple of Apollo 

Port of Naxos







































Blue Star Naxos arrives on time.  Smooth, steady ride.  Scenic arrival to Santorini.



Leaving Naxos


Santorini


















SANTORINI.  Colonized by the Minoans in 3000 BC this volcanic island erupted in 1450 BC forming Santorini's crescent shape.  This island is widely believed to be the lost kingdom of Atlantis. Named Thira by the Dorians when they settled here in the 8th century BC but renamed Santorini after St. Irene by the Venetians who conquered it in the 13th century.  Stunning island with white villages clinging to volcanic cliffs above black sand beaches.  Extremely popular with tourists.


Postcard

Postcard



The ferry arrives pretty much on time to Fira, port of Santorini and the island's capital.  Fira is built on top of the cliffs.  It's 885' above the port.  Here we take a shuttle bus 2.20€ per person from the port up to the town where we will pick up our rental car.  Or you can take a cable car or mule up the 580 steps.

Postcard

Bus tickets























View looking down to the port from the bus






















Spiridakis Car Rental.  I have reserved a car for our stay on Santorini.  Cost 105€/$149.42USD for the 3 days.  We will drop off the car back here at 8:30 am on 6/25.  Someone will then drive us over to port to catch our ferry to Crete.

Our rental car




OIA.  At the northern tip of Santorini.  Famous for its sunsets.  Tourists come to have dinner in one of the many restaurants at the edge of the cliffs as the sun sinks behind the caldera.  According to legend the town is haunted and home to vampires.  Oia is Santorini's 3rd port and was an important and wealthy commercial center until it was badly damaged in the 1956 earthquake.  White and pastel colored houses.  Famous skate cave houses.  Blue domed churches.  A marble-paved pathway runs along the edge of the caldera to Fira.  Staircases lead down to Armeni and the nearby fishing harbor at Ammoudi.



Postcard

Postcard


Postcard


ATRINA TRADITIONAL HOUSES.  Located in the village of Oia.  I have booked us a cave house-the canava.  It is a 1 bedroom traditional cave house.  We'll stay here for 3 nights.  I had already paid a deposit for our stay back in January 2011.  250€/$339.80USD.  Check in is right off the main walkway.  Breakfast is served from 8:00-10:30 am.  You call and breakfast is brought to you.  I get a map with some wineries and other spots marked.  Our cave house is really cool.  Separate bedroom with its own full bathroom but shower only.  Was hoping for a bathtub.  The other bathroom is off the other room which comprises the living room, dining room, and kitchenette.  The kitchenette has a hot plate, fridge, utensils, etc.  Very spacious.  Balcony looks right to the caldera and the hotel pool.  The balcony has 2 loungers with umbrella and a small table with 2 chairs.  Lovely.  We also have a complimentary bottle of wine.

Map I was given







































































Office for Atrina is on the pedestrian pathway and is where you check in and check out

Canava

Bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries

Master bathroom




Living room and dining room area with couch/day bed, desk, dining table and chairs

Second full bathroo
Dining room area


Kitchen sink, mini fridge


Kitchen-hot plate

Balcony table and chairs


Balcony loungers and shade umbrella

View is stunning

Pool






We decide to spend time in the pool and just relax a bit.  Then we are off to find a pharmacy.  I show the paper from Anna, get my meds-a throat spray and lozenges for 9€.  Back to our place where we get ready for dinner.


Even though the pool is small Richard is happy

Pharmacy






































LAOKASTI RESTAURANT.  Dinner.  I get hot tea with lemon and honey.  Feels so good.  Richard has Mythos beer.  He's not sick!  I play it safe and ordered the mixed vegetable plate-eggplant, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes.  Richard got the Laokasti spaghetti special.  The pasta had tomatoes, ham, bacon, peas, mushrooms, onions.  I'm feeling a bit better.  The tea and meds are working.  Cost without tip 21€.



Dinner






Walking back to our place I buy our ferry tickets for Santorini to Crete 36€.  Oia is very busy with people shopping and dining.  Tomorrow we will explore some wineries and maybe a beach.







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