NCL Jade 7-Day Greek Isles- Oct 12-19, 2013 - Review and Pictorial

[computerworks]

After some vino and some shopping, from there, we took off to explore... climbing the mountain roads towards Pyrgos and the Venetian Fortress

 

 

This yielded amazing views to the West and South.

 

 

 

I decided to take the road along the West coast up and around to Oia, so we would have a different way back. It was a deliriously wonderful twisty road. (I am a spirited driver...) Great fun... at least for me, ignoring the "...SLOW DOWN!" occasional screams.

 

We stopped at the populated areas and windmills..

 

 

[computerworks]

...and of course, the churches.

 

 

 

[computerworks]

We arrived in Oia with three white-knuckled ladies, who were very glad to get out of the car. Easy to park and, again, well marked signs made our arrival to the correct place a breeze.

 

Oia was our choice to watch the famous Santorini sunset. We planned to spend the late afternoon and evening there, with a dinner on a rooftop terrace.

 

First, a little walking around for souvenirs.

 

 

As I keep saying... Santorini is all for the breathtaking vistas.

 

 

We found our destination... very easy walking around in Oia... and settled in at our special table.

 

 

...with a very nice view.

 

 

Looking down, you can see the main thoroughfare

 

 

Already, the folks began taking their positions on the cliffs, jockeying for the best view of the sunset.

 

[computerworks]

One of my favorite pictures... we could see the Jade at anchor in the distance.

 

[computerworks]

As the sun slowly settled...the buildings around Oia assumed a warm glow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[computerworks]

It's almost time... the magic hour.

 

 

An "..ooo-pah" was in order at this point... to salute the sunset.

 

 

...and so it set.

 

 

 

Where ever you looked, everybody outside faced West.

 

[computerworks]

 

 

Once the sun was down... things seemed to look cooler as the town lit up for the evening and the moon came out

 

 

 

[computerworks]

After a great dinner of fresh seafood...some pastries and espresso, and a memorable sunset...it was time to head back to Fira. We strolled thru Oia once more and packed up the car and headed South.

 

Here is where it got a bit dicey. Although the signs are great, the illumination is not the greatest. We took the inland road back South towards Fira.

 

In the morning, we left from the other end of town...at night, the North end was not too familiar, and we had a rough time finding Tony's office to return the car.

 

Not really sweating, since we had an hour's cushion before the ship left, but I circled the town twice. It might help if I mention that the town is riddled with one-way streets... so a wrong choice at an intersection makes you do a go-around, and start over.

 

Finally, I pulled over to study the Fira street map (easier to do when not moving).

As I am sitting at the curb, a fellow on a motor scooter drifts up to my window and says: "Ron... need some help?"

 

Huh?

 

It was Tony. He saw us circle and figured we were a bit disoriented, so he tracked us down. God bless him! We followed him back to the office (which I only missed by a block or two) and turned in the car.

 

He then offered to drive us up the hill, as close as he could get to the cable car terminal. What a guy!

 

Tony, our Hero

 

 

We even had some time to do some more shopping in the town. After shopping, it was back down the cliff via cable car.

 

 

...with the tender waiting for us at the base of the cliff.

 

...an end to a perfect day in Santorini.

 

 

Tomorrow... Mykonos! The seaside, the windmills...and a day trip to the Island of Delos.

[KayentaJane]

Ah Santorini! My sister and I fell in love with this island when we visited. When we win the lottery, we're moving there.

[Ti2m]

Fantastic review and pictorial. Thank you!

[OnTheGoMom921]

Bravo! Loving your review so far...can't wait for the rest. Santorini was on of my favorite stops when we toured the Greek Isles. Albeit, I was a bit put off by the cable cars or donkey rides! Our first stop was a tour of Akrotiri and we did that windy road up by bus (I think I would have preferred the cable car) and later that evening, we walked back down the donkey path...it was very picturesque directly facing the views of the caldera , although you had be careful not to get too rapt up in the vistas. One wrong step mean disaster for your shoes :eek:

Looking forward to your photos of Mykonos! Oddly enough, my only photos from there were of bars and tavernas, as our ship called upon Mykonos from late afternoon until midnight.

[cmdchiefthom]

I was stationed in Crete in the late 60's and crewed on a 54' yacht part time. One of my favorite destinations was Santorini, and your pictures are just too amazing, "poli kala"! I'm taking my wife on the Jade for three weeks in May, and she's looking at your photos and can't believe such places exist. Keep your review going, and "efharisto para poli" for the memories!:D

[karoo]

Another great review! I'm enjoying reading it!

[pinkpanther52]

Great review was in Santorini and Mykonos this summer so its like being back again. :)

[computerworks]

Day Five - Mykonos

 

Mykonos - 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

 

This was my plan for the day:

This will be an easy day. No car required here.

Tender into town and a short walk around the harbor to the Delos tour boats. 10:00 AM Ferry to Delos for a guided tour. Depending on how it goes. we could be back in town by 2 or 3 PM. For the remaining time, a nice walk thru Little Venice and up towards the windmills to finish the day.

 

A - Tender Dock

B - Delos Ferry Ticket Office - Ferry to delos and tour

C - Taverns and Little Venice

D - Mykonos Windmills

 

 

[computerworks]

We planned an early breakfast at dawn in the cabin.

 

 

The Jade, arriving, in a little hazy morning. An RCI ship was at anchor near the town; they tendered right to the seaside area.

 

 

To our surprise, we would dock, not tender. The New Port is about a mile away from tender docks.

 

 

The ship offered a free shuttle to the town tender dock.

 

 

[computerworks]

Once off the shuttle, we walked through the town.

 

 

Everywhere, alleys and back streets with hotels, taverns and shops.

 

 

The seaside area of the village.

 

 

This shows the distance back to the ship's dock from the seaside area.

 

 

A very interesting terrain, compared to the other islands. More greenery, but similar structures.

 

[computerworks]

We had to wait for the town to get up...so we had some coffee and croissants with the locals at one of the cafes.

 

 

Slowly the vendors set up their wares...fruits, flowers and fish.

 

 

Once the booth opened, we picked up our ferry and tour tickets.

 

 

This would be our boat to the island of Delos.

 

 

Simply beautiful inside...comfortable, with concession and refreshments

 

[computerworks]

and, we are off...for about a 30 minute ride. We could see the famous windmills in the distance.

 

 

As we drew near to shore at Delos, we could see the ruins in the distance.

 

 

We were met by our tour guide and given an impromptu lecture on the island's history. This was very helpful if you did not know the centuries of events that occurred here.

 

 

The scope of this island is tremendous. Unlike other ruins, there is not much left fully standing, but the pieces and the layout are very clear.

 

 

 

You really need either a guidebook, map or an actual tour guide to understand the different areas.

 

[computerworks]

Residential structures... the living room

 

 

 

 

The stones covered a plumbing system for the wealthier homes...both fresh and waste water

 

 

 

Some structures were originally 3 and 4 stories high.

 

[computerworks]

The few markers are in French, since that was the nationality of the acheologists

 

 

 

The same alphabet used today in Greece

 

 

The Terrace of the Lions overlooked the prior location of a lake.

 

 

Imitation is flattery I guess..or maybe, aspirations?

 

[computerworks]

Having toured the island, we caught the midday ferry back

 

 

This was our next destination, the Little Venice area

 

 

 

Mykonos is truly a party place, that awakes in the evening with streets of taverns and clubs...

 

 

We window shopped our way thru the small twisty streets, on the way to Katarina's Tavern for lunch.

 

Edited November 10, 2013 by computerworks

[computerworks]

Like many other taverns in Little Venice, a small balcony provides an amazing view of the windmills.

 

 

We did not want to miss this opportunity

 

 

 

 

Some ouzo and a toast to Mykonos.

 

 

I decided to do a product photo.. it seemed right.

 

[computerworks]

You can see here that it is an easy walk up the hill from the town to visit the windmills.

 

 

Our lunch was amazing and fresh

 

 

This was another place for an idea of never leaving...

 

 

 

[computerworks]

After a relaxing kunch, it was time to head back. The Jade was across the harbor, waiting for us

 

 

 

We did some shopping along the seaside area

 

 

Had to visit with Petrus, the resident pelican

 

 

Looking for his lunch, he stayed in the harbor, fishing. I had to talk to him from the rocks.