View of the Santorini Caldera from the Mystique Hotel
View of the Santorini Caldera from the Archeopolis Restaurant
Leaving Santorini is very difficult. Captain 'Ted' called this a.m. to let us know that our island cruise would be cold and rainy and all other guests (one other couple) had canceled. So we canceled also. Turned out to be the most beautiful day there; warm and bright sunshine. Believe Captain 'Ted' was not worried about the weather; he just did not want to suffer the full expense of the trip with only two paying customers. Since the boat cruise was cancelled we stayed in bed longer and needed it. Had been burning the candle from both ends and we were exhausted. Had breakfast on caldera patio overlooking the volcano crater; soft winds brushing the water in spots, looked like some giant (maybe Zeus or Poseidon) blowing, gently across the water. Decided to sit out in the bright sun for awhile. But not too long; no sun in years! Lily white and no need for a sunburn. Early afternoon we showered and packed. Decided to leave Oia and the Mystique early and stop off in Fira. Ladies at the hotel, Dmitria and Antonia arranged a taxi to Fira and the hotel driver to pick us up there later and ferry us on to the airport. In Fira we walked a short distance to the Archeopolis Restaurant which sits on the edge of the caldera cliff overlooking the entire crater with a great view of the center island. Extraordinary view, open patio dining area. Food was good with a glass of local wine.
Hotel driver picked us up and on to the small Santorini airport. Luggage overweight by 40 kilos. We were not so lucky this time and had to pay for all of it. A small turbo-prop aircraft dropped off one passenger and carried about 20 of us on to Athens.
We had gotten to know the Athens airport very well and had no trouble getting in/out and into a taxi. Took about thirty minutes to the King George Hotel downtown. Cabbie overcharged us about 5 Euro but we expected it and were glad to finally 'land' somewhere. KG is a grand old hotel restored after a fire in time for the 2004 Olympics. Late dinner in the Tudor Room on the 7th floor with a grand view of the brightly lighted Acropolis. Friendly waitress served us but we had a hard time understanding her. Food was good-greek salad was huge but very tasty with a few scattered scallops and shrimp, Bill Mathias style. Young Greek lady with red orange hair and a wide toothy smile closed out our meal serving us with a chocolate 'crocan' (I believe she meant 'Cretan') dessert and capacucino. The Tudor Room has an early 1900's Opera house decor and an adjoining sunroom with a glass wall with an excellent view of the Acropolis.
Finished Ian Fleming's 'Live and let Die'. James Bond deserves all the exoctic women, fast cars and man toys for the beatings he takes for King/Queen and country.
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