Day 26 – May 25, 2010 – Back in Santorini

This morning, I got all the laundry done so that I could be ready to go out in Santorini as soon as crew was cleared at 6 pm. I was determined to explore the northern side of the cable car station. I found new settings on my camera to take pictures with “Vivid Colors” and a panoramic angle, so I was really excited to get some shots with those features and see the difference. You know how much I love taking pictures!


I went up to the crew pool area on deck 8 all the way forward and sat out on one of the lounges to watch us arrive in Santorini. I watched for about an hour as we cruised through various tiny land masses and the white-topped island of Santorini neared. There were only one or two other crew members who came up for a few minutes here and there, but I basically felt like I had my own private viewing deck. How amazing is that? I could hear some of the passengers watching from higher decks, no doubt questioning how one accesses deck 8!

I sailed over on the tender around 6 and got to the dock at the base of the cliffs. For some reason, I got a wild hair and decided I didn’t want to take the cable car up this time. I wanted to ride a donkey to the top, so I went over to the old men running the donkey operation, paid my 10 Euro to enter and stood in a short line to get paired up with my steed, haha… The donkeys looked very healthy and taken care of, which is the only way I would make them carry me up to the top. I got matched with a small brown donkey with curly, long hair (for a donkey), which made it look a little more like a sheep. I’ve been told that they meander up the path on their own terms and you just have to let them go where and when they want to. So I took hold of the bridle (??) and got ready for a leisurely climb up the huge incline.

We trotted up quickly and I caught up with a group of crew I knew from the ship – one of the dancers, Shane and a youth counselor, Amy were making their way to the top as well. Shane and I attempted to take pictures for each other while being jostled about on the backs of our rather strong-willed companions. It was a beautiful way to look out over the sea and view the magnificent islands in Santorini’s bay.

I was actually able to get some good shots despite the bumpy ride. We finally made it to the top and actually had to climb a bit more on foot to get to the level where the cable car lets out. I didn’t mind at all though, as I got to see another level of hotels, restaurants, and perfect lookout spots. I passed the cable car station and headed north along the edge of the cliffs, exploring a much less touristy-area of the town. I felt like I was climbing forever and ever and still couldn’t reach the highest point. I got lovely photos and enjoyed a quieter stroll than one would be on the fairly busy commercial streets on the south side.

I decided to cut in and try to circle back towards the town, to find a free wifi spot that some of the cast had been camped out at last time we were there. On my way there, I went by one of the famous Catholic Cathedrals and found this really cool artist studio inside one part of it. It didn’t take me long to find the wifi spot, as it’s probably the only Irish pub in town. I sat there for the rest of the time, had a couple Stella’s and soaked up as much fast, free internet as I could, updating FB, emailing, Skyping, chatting… it was a true test of multi-tasking for about an hour and a half. This is definitely one of the major challenges of ship life – trying to stay as connected as possible. Since I’m only gone for two months, I’m trying to stay on top of a lot of business stuff back home and it’s quite the challenge.

Also, just as a side note, I’m not sure if you can tell I’ve been hanging around Brits and Aussies and others who use British English and not American English…. So you may notice more “quite”, “rather” and other choice words they tend to use more than we do. :) Oh, and I’m also trying to eat with both a knife and fork like they do… the fork’s in the left hand and the knife in the right and they use both the entire time they’re eating. I know it sounds insane, but it’s really fascinating and I’m trying to master it, haha! Maybe I’ll make a video of it, lol.

Anyway, back in Santorini, I had a great evening and left with Andrew, Maggie, and Hannah from the cast and we all stopped for a crepe on our way back to the cable car. They all assured me we could run to the front of the line, so it was ok. I had a nutella and strawberries crepe that was to die for and ate it while running to the cable car AND having to pee unbelievably bad! I got to the front of the line and made it down on the next car, just in time for the last tender for crew to board. I was in pain, way full from the crepe, and sad to leave such a beautiful place once again. I distracted myself by looking at all the pictures I took earlier that evening and sending lots of positive thoughts out to the universe about my return to that magical island in the Aegean Sea.