Santorini
The Panorama left the dock in Sifnos at 2:00 a.m., cruising to the most southern part of our journey through the Cycladic Islands. We were headed for the most famous island in the Cyclades, Santorini. The Panorama entered the caldera of Santorini at approximately 7:00 a.m., and from this viewpoint we could see that we were actually in a circular archipelago of islands that are remnants of one of the most legendary volcanic explosions in Mediterranean history. This cataclysmic eruption buried the sophisticated civilization based in the village of Akrotiri. As we made our way into the northwest entrance of the caldera the sun was just starting to rise and light the buildings of Oia, located on the northern tip of the main island of Santorini. The caldera is 76 square kilometers, and the Panorama positioned herself just below the main town of Fira, located over 300 feet above us on the edge of the caldera.
Once our ship was secured between two buoys a local tender arrived to ferry our group ashore to the port of Athinios located just to the south of Fira. Two busses were waiting to transport us around the island, by first climbing up a series of switchbacks to the top of the caldera and a magnificent view, looking both south and north around the island of Santorini.
This island has had many names in its long and well-documented history. The ancient inhabitants used two names to describe the island, which has been and continues to be a very well-known place in the Mediterranean Sea. “Strongyle” refers to the once round shape of the island and “Kalliste” refers the beauty of this extraordinary place. Local Greeks who live on Santorini today still refer to the island as Thira. The name Santorini comes from a dedication to Saint Irene from the Venetian influence that can be felt no matter where one travels in the Mediterranean.
Our busses made a 45-minute journey along the northern rim of the caldera heading to Oia, the most-photographed place in all of Greece. We were very lucky today, as there were only two boats visiting Santorini…so the narrow walking streets of Oia would be accessible and easy to navigate as we took the morning to explore, photograph and enjoy a coffee in this small Cycladic village perched on the rim of a caldera facing west out and into the sea.
Gathering once again at our busses, we took another scenic drive to the center of the island. In the town of Pirgos, under the gaze of Santorini’s highest peak, a well-known local restaurant called Kallisti was preparing our lunch ashore. We were treated to a traditional Greek “mezedes” lunch, which consisted of myriad local small dishes! Stuffed tomatoes, spicy cheese with tomatoes, fava spread, tomato balls, meatballs, cabbage salad, two types of bread and fabulous local white wine, all of which Santorini is famous for, and was enjoyed by all!
After a leisurely and relaxing lunch we returned to Fira, the main town of Santorini, and the easiest access to the port some 300 feet below us. We had two options to return below, either by cable car or donkey. Before our decent, though, there was time to wander the busy streets of the tourist mecca of Santorini…the labyrinth of streets leading to the cable cars and donkey ride were lined with jewelry, clothing and souvenir shops along with many, many cafes and ice cream shops.
Below in the port a second rather large cruise ship had arrived for an afternoon in Santorini. Perfect timing for our departure! After gathering in the port a local tender ferried us all back to the Panorama, where lines were released for our departure a short distance to one of the small “burned” islands in the center of the caldera. In this location it was shallow enough to drop the anchor and open the swim platform. Swimming in the caldera was quite the finish to the day! It had warmed up nicely, and the cool waters were refreshing and, as always, relaxing to body and soul.
Following our swim, the Panorama made her passage out the northwest entrance of the Santorini Caldera, the lovely village of Oia lit in evening light as we passed underneath. Sunset was fast approaching, finding nearly everyone on deck enjoying a deep red sun dipping into the sea…bringing the forecast of clear skies tomorrow and new adventures enjoying the hospitality and warmth of the people of the Cycladic Islands.
