July 17 - Day 8

 Santorini is our stop today. Because of the steep cliffs and port location, the cruise ship cannot dock close to the port and we have to be tendered in to shore.

Matt and I were up at 6:15 am. When the alarm went off, I was dead asleep. My body felt like a truck ran over me and my mood wasn’t much better. I wasn’t sure I had another day of walking all day in the heat inside me. But we got going with food and coffee and I felt better.

We were able to get on one of the first tenders over and hit the steps going up to the to top of the caldera in the town of Fira at about 8:45 am. The hike up was intense, about 800 feet up with the smells of donkeys assaulting you all along the way. But we are tough and up we went. When we got to the top, we immediately started our hike to Oia. Time was of the essence for us to complete the hike and return in time to get back on the boat.

The hike went as I remembered from five years ago. Just absolutely gorgeous with jaw dropping views that never end. We did the hike to Skaros Rock, which added about 45 minutes. Matt was going to opt out but I talked him into doing it. Don’t know if we will ever be here again and I didn’t want to miss out on the experience. Lots of hiking and climbing. It is not as hot today and there is a stiff wind which we find wonderful. It helps to stay cool.

The hike is long and I wouldn’t call it hard but it is rocky and hot and it is 7 miles, which is not for the faint of heart. But we enjoyed it, mostly. There are some parts that are just hot and uphill. But that is the nature of hiking. 

When we arrived in Oia, we found a place to refuel. We shared a wonderful Greek salad and moussaka. So good and the view over the caldera was wonderful. I had an iced coffee which made me happy. I also popped a couple of ibuprofen. I probably didn’t really need it but my body just hurts a bit from so much activity and so many stairs!!

After lunch, we headed out to the iconic viewpoint in Oia. So many memories here for me. I feel so sad as I think about how happy David was when we were here and his loss feels heavy in my heart. Today is also Kristen’s death anniversary. Matt and I are reminded of what we have lost but so grateful to be together. 

We headed to the bus stop where we boarded the bus for Fira after buying tickets from the agent there. It took about a half an hour to get back to Fira but we are comfortable with the time cushion we have allowed. We grabbed a wonderful gelato in Fira and then headed back down the crazy donkey trail to the boat. It was long and hot and the downhill felt like it went forever. But we eventually got there and were able to get on a tender right away.

When we got back to the boat, we headed to the Lido Deck to drink ice cold tea and try and rehydrate. Finally started feeling like we had enough fluid and headed to the room. Jumped in the shower and washed all our clothes. We are so sweaty and dirty. Hung them all out on our deck to dry which has become our habit.

It is dress up night so we got in our nice clothes and headed to the Dining Room. The food, as usual, was so good, and I am so full. Always. 

Went to the World Stage after dinner for a Rolling Stones show. It was so good. The entertainment on this boat is excellent. Went to a piano show after the main show where the pianist was playing and singing, doing songs from musicals. 

Wonderful day with a wonderful guy. We have our moments where I am a little challenged, always around his reticence to spend money. But I’m learning to speak my mind when it is important to me and let Matt just do what makes sense to me.

Tomorrow is Ephesus. We have a tour so it will be a different pace for us.