Monday 26 August 2024. By the time we are getting up the NCL Pearl is already in the lagoon at Santorini.
The cliffs go up 900 feet (274.3 metres) and below sea level drop a further 1300 feet (396.2 metres). Only ships with an extra long anchor chain can safely stabilise their position without drifting. It is said to have been a single island, obliterated by volcanic action some 3,600 years ago (give or take a week or two) that destroyed the centre of the island leaving a caldera surrounded by the surviving islands of today. The main landing point where tender boats will take you is called Thira with the village of Oia being the one famous for its sunsets and fabulous views.
Thira is also a very picturesque village, reached by a cable car from sea level or by walking up a zig-zagging path, or by donkey up the same path. For those familiar with Clovelly in the UK where there are similar options (minus the cable car) it should be noted that Thira is approximately the same as walking up Clovelly's hillside around 3.5 times... Consequently the queues for the cable car can be long - 45 minutes is common when it is busy and today there are another 3 cruise ships in the lagoon so we decide against going up. If you want to see more photos then see my article from our visit in September 2016.
So we spend some time on our balcony with books and drinks and just have a chilling out day until it's time to go and enjoy the music of our friends, Tomas and Maris.
I had a pair of gold simulated crocodile skin shoes that I sometimes wore on stage, but I had to admire the shoes Maris was sporting this particular night!
It had gone dark by the time the ship left the lagoon and I snatched a photograph of Thira by night, seemingly suspended high in the air above us.
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