This is the view we had all day. For Ann, whose sea voyaging has been limited to crossing Cook Strait a few times, this was rather mind boggling. There was plenty to do all day, as the crew had multiple activities in different parts of the ship. A sleep in and late breakfast were very enjoyable after 3 early starts in a row for tours. We explored the ship, and found several pools and outdoor bars we hadn't yet encountered.
Next morning we watched the island of Santorini come closer, marvelling at the little blobs of white on top of sheer cliffs that slowly sprouted windows, doors and balconies. Info from the ship warned us of long queues for the cable car, and that donkeys were available for the trip to the top but they would be at passengers' own risk. We noticed people walking up the path on the way to shore in the tender. When we came ashore and looked at the looong queue for the cable car, we decided to walk it.
What we hadn't realized, but very rapidly did, was that the people and the donkeys shared the same zig-zag path! After a few steps we encountered lots of donkeys, and people on donkeys trying to make them move up the hill. And just as some cars belch a cloud of smoke when they start off, some donkeys do something very similar! We gingerly picked our way over the uneven surface avoiding piles of dung towards the first corner. Next thing we heard bells jingling, and about 20 donkeys sans riders came charging round the corner and headed straight for us! As we climbed higher we learnt to listen for bells and find posts to hide behind, or people, anything!
We joined up with other people (one of whom thought the donkeys were evil) and helped protect each other and shoo them away. It certainly took our minds off the climb, which turned out to be 575 steps. The photo, taken from the top, gives some idea of the path. At the end of the day Graham said it was "one of the best things I've not chosen to do".
;-) Ann-a-Gram
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