A night of a little bit of rocking and rolling - and not the musical type. We struck our first non-smooth sea journey. Winds came up a bit, gradual swell and most of the night was punctuated by the frequent thump - thump - thump of the bow hitting and breaking the swell. Needless to say, breakfast for me was just a couple of pieces of dry toast with half a grilled tomato. Val braved just a spoonful of scrambled egg and some toast, just to be on the safe side.
My conundrum was - the massive steep cable car ride (Gulp!!) on Santorini up to the main town of Thira, or stay on the swaying ship. Val was off to the island of Santorini, no matter what, so I decided the lesser of 2 evils (for me, anyway) .... Bite the bullet and ride the cable car.
Bit disconcerting with the gentle sway of the car in the wind, but as it turned out, it was only a 3 minute ride. I coped.
Over to Val ....
The trip ashore was a bit hairy. The "ferry" service between the ship and shore this time was provided by boats from Santorini instead of the ship's own boats. But because of the swell, the process of getting from the ship onto the smaller boats was extremely hazardous, and a slow process as the deckhands had to manually assist, waiting between swells for an appropriate and safe moment to make the leap across.
We had a bit of a look at the views from Thira but another town of Oia at the end of the island is more renowned for its beauty so that was our destination. We headed to the bus station but found the taxi rank first. There was one taxi pulling away with 4 people on board and there were another 2 people waiting so we asked if they would like to share a taxi and they agreed. They had checked out the bus station already and said it was very disorganised and difficult to follow the timetable. It was Euro20 for the taxi (between 4 of us) and it took about 15 minutes. A main road but very winding, round the sides of hills and mountain so drops straight off the edge of the road, it was a bit hair-raising at times as the driver overtook whenever he felt like it.
The trip ashore was a bit hairy. The "ferry" service between the ship and shore this time was provided by boats from Santorini instead of the ship's own boats. But because of the swell, the process of getting from the ship onto the smaller boats was extremely hazardous, and a slow process as the deckhands had to manually assist, waiting between swells for an appropriate and safe moment to make the leap across.
Arrival on shore at Santorini
From Thira, ships in the Santorini caldera - Seabourn Odyssey on right
Oia is at the end of the island and very pretty with narrow, winding streets, cafes overlooking the blue, blue water below and lots of little shops. We sat in a cafe for a while admiring the view and enjoying home-made lemonade, coffee and a rather unexpectedly large slice of baklava.
It was quite windy when we arrived keeping the temperature very pleasant. After more wandering and shopping we decided to get the bus back. Although the bus stop was sheltered from the wind, we were standing in the sun in an ever increasing 'queue' for 30 minutes. But then a taxi appeared. With another couple from the queue we jumped in. We hadn't gone far before we passed the bus heading to Oia but it was going to be a full bus back so we were happy with the taxi. As we got out back at Thira a passer-by commented on the front tyres of the taxi. The back ones were OK but the front ones were in a terrible state. Certainly would not pass our road test that's for sure. Glad we didn't know before coming back on that road, even if the taxi was the usual Mercedes.
It was quite windy when we arrived keeping the temperature very pleasant. After more wandering and shopping we decided to get the bus back. Although the bus stop was sheltered from the wind, we were standing in the sun in an ever increasing 'queue' for 30 minutes. But then a taxi appeared. With another couple from the queue we jumped in. We hadn't gone far before we passed the bus heading to Oia but it was going to be a full bus back so we were happy with the taxi. As we got out back at Thira a passer-by commented on the front tyres of the taxi. The back ones were OK but the front ones were in a terrible state. Certainly would not pass our road test that's for sure. Glad we didn't know before coming back on that road, even if the taxi was the usual Mercedes.
An alternative to the cable car from Thira back down to sea level was to walk down (only about 15 minutes and sloping rather than steps) or hire a donkey. Greg braved the cable car again and we returned to the ship to get ready for the formal night. The boys brought coats with them so we were determined to get a 2nd wear out of them.
Overlooking the top of the cable car from Thira down to the harbour
The walk down as seen from the travelling cable car
Donkeys on the walking path
We had to be back on board by 4.30pm so we couldn't enjoy the famous sunset at Oia but it was still lovely seeing it from the boat.
Unfortunately, once we were underway the swell returned and Greg was soon feeling unwell. There was no way he would be able to go to the formal dinner. He took some travel calm tablets and went to bed at about 6pm. He was soon asleep. Anne and Bob suggested I join them for dinner but I opted to order a light dinner from room service. Greg took another tablet at about 9pm and another at midnight, sleeping in between time. By morning the swell had dropped outside but poor Greg could still feel it inside his head.
Anne and Bob enjoyed the formal dinner with a couple from Texas. The wife was a judge, the husband was quiet. Like another couple from the U.S. They were interested to know what Australians think of America.