 |
| #Fira_Oia_Hike_Santorini As my travel blog is about tips on where to visit and saving money doing so (Case in Point) i see that this hike was listed at $140.00 PP in small groups. Now my fellow travelers, you can do this on your own for 2 Euros (bus fare on the return to your starting point) All i ask from you is to wear proper footwear (you will see why with my photos) bring water, snacks, sunscreen plus a hat |
 |
Although we are in Greece, it was the Romans who first invented cobblestone streets and paths But thanks for their creation (which gave us the convenience here) we are on our hike, but soon it will become loose gravel plus dirt as we trek towards Oia Now as we walk around the caldera you realize the massiveness of the volcanic eruption that occurred here 3500 years ago (which today gives us these amazing views) As it was one of the largest explosions in recorded history that created a tsunami that wiped out the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete 200kms or 125 miles away Today Santorini boasts the only inhabited caldera in the world, with the villages of Fira and Oia  Before Tourism Santorini was a major trading hub that brought visiting and local vendors to the markets that featured crafted pottery, woven textiles, wines, spices plus herbs Today the island is world famous for its iconic whitewashed, cube shaped houses and with the blue domed churches plus the very popular Red / Black Beaches (sand with pebbles of various shades because of the volcanic activity) |
 |
Why are many of the buildings in a dome shape It was for simple reasons; Basically for the low cost, as they were sometimes dug partially or entirely into the volcanic rock then its design was to have narrow, dome covered facades plus windows to bring in the natural light |
 |
This part of the trail had some fencing up, so i assume its private property but looks like some of the "famous" Cave Houses of Santorini In the beginning there were a necessity; For the poorer residents to escape the sun, winds and pirates Moving Forward After the devastating 1956 earthquake, caves houses have been repurposed into some of the islands most sought after accommodations |
 |
Legend of Atlantis With the Minoan eruption resulting in the collapse of the island center, many people believe it inspired the Greek philosopher Plato and the legend of that lost city Jules Verne The famous author was also inspired by the volcanos activity here during a visit, which he wrote about in his books 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island |
 |
A beautiful view of the Aegean Sea from the caldera (from Latin caldaria meaning cooking pot) As in its Meaning; Its a large depression formed when a volcano erupts then collapses, so basically when the magma chamber empties it leaves no support for the walls thus fills up with water  Some challenging parts of the hike but also notice the black rocks, these are older volcanic stones from past eruptions being put to good use as you walk on history |
 |
From above you can see the white washed structures as we make our way away from Fira (which is the Capital of Santorini) As in its History; It first started out as a settlement in the late 18th century, eventually coming under the rule of the Turks ( strength of their military) which at the time was a good thing, as then they did not have to worry about the pirate raids on the island |
 |
Along your hike you will find vendors setup selling water, fruit, sunscreen etc But again please bring these essentials yourself , as these pop up stands are not consistent |
 |
The main reason most buildings are whitewash (made by mixing lime, water plus sea salt) the color is a reflector of heat so it works perfectly to keep the dwellings cool and fresh We make our way up to the The Capel of the Assumption of the Virgin as this is the last climb before Oia |
 |
Now having a few Adult Beverages for a job well done in Oia 😃 Because of the island volcanic soil (which is rich in minerals) it has created some exceptional wines, after a few glasses......i agree👌 As i look at many of the two-story houses, i am told they were originally owned by wealthy shipowners which is a reminder of the areas maritime past KeyTip Its a pedestrian only area with its narrow streets, add in the big crowds around sunset and it gets to be shoulder to shoulder craziness So be very careful of your valuables |
 |
The local government was looking for a more elegant name so chose Oia (Doric dialect meaning far) as the village was so far from all the other settlements at this time Fun Fact World Free Runners Red Bull Art of Motion uses the backdrop of this village which creates dramatic and photogenic scenes during their competitions |
 |
The whitewashed walls and the blue domes of Santorini was not always colored this way It was right-wing military regime (1967-1974) that imposed that all buildings be painted in this color scheme and was to inspire patriotism / attract more tourists Today; As you can see some structures are changing it up to stand out from the rest, which ironically was the intended purpose from the beginning |
 |
Back in Fira and heading to my ship where the 588 Karavolades Stairs ( Old Port Stairs) awaits me, hey why not add it to the hike you just did Originally built in the 18th Century to serve as a direct connection between the Port and Town It now has become a tourist attraction; But please remember that the donkeys get the right of way, the cobbled steps are not all even so the footing is off and be aware on the dung 😅 KeyTip Or as you can see in the distance the Cable Car for 6 Euros for adults / 3 Euros for children to avoid the climb or descent |
No comments:
Post a Comment