5 Oct: Santorini Cruise

We booked an island cruise the day before through the hotel. Just one of those things that tourists do in Santorini. The view is good, the price is reasonable and we have more than enough time in Santorini. So why not?

There are two types of ships for the cruise: the traditional ship and the glass bottom ship. We don't see how the look of the ship could enhance the quality of the cruise. So we went with the glass bottom variety.

I did mentioned that our hotel is very near the caldera. But we kinda overestimated the proximity and we never take into account that it would take a while to go down that flight of steps. In other words, we were in a rush.

We begin to find out that running down steep slippery cobbled steps with balding soles is not an easy task. Did I mention that you can go up and down via donkey? Did I mention that donkeys loves to crap? A lot? The steps were plastered with an even layer of donkey crap, adding joy to our delightful descend.

Shuyi took it slow, as you might already know, she is not so good with descends.

When we finally reached the old port, we were treated to a delightful sight of our ship leaving the port into the horizon. Fantastic. Them Greeks are so punctual! But they are also flexible too. I may have missed the glass bottom ship but we still have the traditional one. The staff told us to hop on and catch up with the other ship on the next island.

Nice. We get to try both ships for the price of 1. Not that the type of ships will make the cruise more fun.

Frank got strapped in for the choppy sea
never too cool for the safe belt


shuyi is more concerned with posing

First stop is to the centre of the crater. You see, if you were to look at the map of Santorini, you can see that it was a huge volcano that have sunken beneath the water. Some people claimed that it is the fabled lost city of Atlantis since they have no idea where it is. The island that we are heading to is the centre of the crater. Needless to say, it is full of black volcanic rocks.

But that was all there is to the island. Rocks and more rocks. After Mt Olympus, we had a whole lifetime supply of rocks. We breached the lifetime limit of exposure to rock. In short: enough with rocks already! We had to do this island doubly fast as we have to catch up with the glass bottom ship we missed earlier. So we scurried up to the top and have a look see. By this time of the trip, high places with breathtaking views fail to elicit the usual 'ohhh' & 'ahhhh' one would expect. Getting to the mentioned 'high places' still have the effect of 'taking the breath away' though.

I mean, it is a beautiful day, the sun is out in full force, the wind keeps us nice and dry, the scenery is spectacular and all but too much of a good thing makes it not so much of a good thing.

But that shouldn't stop you from taking pictures and doing silly poses.

wow. rocks...


rocks again?


yes. rocks.

Clear blue sea and sky with unbelievable hues. Nah. No biggy.

i'm smiling but i'm so bored. Bring me to Zara






the wind is that-a way!

We hurried back and managed to catch the glass bottom boat. Next stop of the itinerary: hot spring. We were told to bring swimming costumes (I was dressed as Dracula) for that.

'we are heading towards the hot spring. those who want to swim, please get ready' announced the staff.

Swim? I was confused. I thought you are just supposed to dip your ass in there and stay put? The ship came to a halt and we were told to jump into the sea. Is this a goddamn hijack?

Actually the spring is this little cove along the shore and we have to swim there. We were one of the last to jump in. I grabbed my specs and plunged in. The cold water was very refreshing. I knew cos I tasted some. yummy.

Shuyi was apprehensive but she jumped in eventually. She was hoping for them to put on the steps so that she can reverse park her ass into the sea but the crew had other plans so she was forced to jump in. Apparently the steps are one-way. huh! Who knew?

Shuyi wasn't very confident in the water and the staff can see it. They kept telling us to come back up (why was i involved. is it because i'm chinese?!). I sent shuyi back up the ship and I proceeded to swim towards the hot spring. Just when I reach the spring and started wading towards it, they blasted their horns and asked us to go back.

graceful

The short swim was great fun and it worked up an appetite. Our next stop is lunch!

sulky :O(

The ship docked on a small island. There are only 2 things to do. Eat/swim at the dock or go up to the top of the hill to eat/look around.

Now why would anyone want to go up there for?

We went from one end of the beach and back again, browsing through all the menus along the way. They all kinda look the same... So we just sat down for lunch. We ordered grilled octopus and squid. It was ok but not fantastic. Shuyi was tempted to feed the cats with the seafood. I would eat the cat with my octopus inside if they were to touch my octopus. I really like my octopus.

By this point of the trip, both of us were already tanned beyond recondition, we can only be identified by dental records. The sun is all encompassing. There are no places where 'the sun down shine'. Everywhere is tanned.

While being fair is the fantasy of almost every asian girl, shuyi's 'honey-baked' (true story, no shit) skin tone was well received by the ang mos. She garnered so much compliments that migration suddenly became a valid option.

shuyi's futile attempts at fighting the sun
stay away! shoo!

My 8 year old teva sandal is seriously breaking into pieces and I was glad that there are cheap alternatives on the island. The same faux-crocs would cost almost like the real ones in Singapore.

yes son, take your time to mess up my stuff
fool! everyone knows the ones at the bottom are the best!

I hated Crocs. I thought they make you look stupid. And the price you pay for one of those, they KNOW that you're stupid. But I need a footwear and Crocs (even the fake variety) are really comfy so I got myself a pair. The only Croc i remotely approve of is the boat shoe type which they phased out. They phased out the only good design they have. Just like Coach and their croissant shaped hobos. Ok, moving on...

I took a lot of time to decide on where to eat (one of those important decisions in life you wanna spend more time pondering on) and we were not left with a lot of time for a swim. The fact that we take a 10cm step into the water and then a 9cm step backwards did not help. The water was cold and we can only inch our asses into the water slowly. By the time the water reached the shoulders, it's time to go.

Franky came out for some sun.

Time to leave the island that we never even got to learn her name.

We reached the Fira late afternoon and the immediate concern is: how do we go up? Foot, donkey or cable car? Shuyi's moral dilemma lasted a grand total of 2 seconds. We were on the donkeys do fast, they reversed crapped in shock.

The unfortunate donkey whom shuyi got on was in for a tough time. Not only is the angry Greek dude shouting at it, it have to deal with a pair of hands rubbing all over with wild abandon.

don't choose me don't choose me don't choose me don't choose me


don't choose me don't choose me don't choose me don't choose me

I swung myself up the donkey and before I could get myself into position, the angry Greek dude shouting to herd them up the steps. When I finally gained composure, I took out the camera, dialled in a safe setting and snapped pictures freehand.

One of the shots caught shuyi redhanded.

now she even wants to touch the other donkeys!

Instant feedback is good. Long live the LCD screen.

We decided to head back to our room to 'regroup' (read: laze around and sleep some). In the alley towards our hotel, we saw 3 kids just being kids. My reaction is: photo op! To my surprise, the kids greeted us and don't seem to mind me taking pictures of them.

Shuyi noticed that this little boy has the funniest braces: they are only on his buck tooth. Thanks to high resolution photos, I later confirmed that shuyi was right.

By the time we stuck our heads out of the hotel room, it was already dark. Time to find something to eat. We decided to go cheap so we found ourselves at Lucky's again.

nobody tires to stuff as much stuff into a pita bread like this dude here

We passed by the seafood inspired place again.

see?

The shops in Santorini closes very late. We're talking about 11 to near mid night kinda late.

Shuyi would visit the phamacy on a daily basis to check on the magic oils they have there. In particlar, korres caught her eye with the packaging and the 'no animal testing' propaganda.