A Sunny Santorini on the 9th of June

Mirror-like seas and a hazy hue over the caldera was the early-morning welcome to the idyllic, picture postcard anchorage below the small cliff-top settlement of Fira. If you’ve never visited Santorini you will marvel at the volcanic landscape, the black sand beaches, the red color lava rocks and the beautiful white houses built on the cliffs of the volcano. This is Santorini, with little white churches atop soaring cliffs, deep blue skies; Santorini is truly the zenith of a Greek island cruise experience. As we cruised into the caldera, the morning started somewhat cloudy but it was clear that any cloud coverage was going to blow over as the morning progressed.
Today was one of only three calls that Ocean Village is making this year and, as every call to Santorini does, it didn’t disappoint our passengers who were quickly dispatched in varying directions by some pretty impressive, new shoreside boats.

All of our excursions from Santorini are guaranteed to please and the breathtaking scenery is simply quite amazing. You can absorb so much in such a short time and, to visit the finest viewpoints with ease, a tour is a must to totally appreciate the scenery.

One of our tours starts with a fast boat trip to the port of Athinios where, from here, the windy road takes you up to the Mountain of Prophet Elijah, the highest point on the island. Following this there is a visit to see the classic Greek Aghios Nectarios Church.

After a quick comfort stop at the Santo Winery, where there is also the chance to sample the local nectar, it is onward on a never ending journey of natural beauty.

(The above photo is of the view from the Santo Winery, an unparalleled balm for the soul)
Lunch on the excursion is taken in a beautiful taverna called Pyrgos and entrance is gained through a rather quirky make-up of a small Grecian windmill. From inside, the view to the anchorage where Ocean Village lay peacefully in the far distance was on the left, to the right the plains looking down towards the airport and, away in front, the capital town of Fira perched high on vertical cliffs overlooking the caldera.

All too soon the whistle-stop tour was at an end and the last journey back to the ship lay ahead. Another picturesque winding road and then, from Fira, a short transfer by cable-car back down to the small port area in the distance below.(The above photograph is courtesy of our onboard photo team and is taken from the idyllic clifftop village of Oia)

Whilst waiting for the cable car

Homeward bound

Michael Lobban, Hotel Director

Giving it some pedal power

Working on the ship can be tiring, and getting time to go to the gym and stay healthy can be a bit of a task. So I decided to take advantage of working in the Action Ashore department and get fit the fun way.

It started with a call in La Goulette (Tunisia), and as I haven’t exercised for a while I thought I’d have a go at wangling my way on to one of my biking tours. Any room for a small one (I’m only just 5ft)? I managed to get on, so all 37 of us grabbed our bikes and headed off into Tunisia with our bike guides Aaron, Russell and Randall. To see what it was really like doing the trip as a passenger instead of Destinations Manager (and so that I didn’t show myself up!) I was incognito in civvies for once.

Getting ready to set off

Our journey took us through the town of La Goulette, and I know you’d expect me to say this but I really do mean it, but there really isn’t much to do there unless you are on a tour. As we rode over to the Roman ruins at Carthage, Aaron told us that the streets we had just ridden through were in films such as Monty Python’s The Life of Brian and Jesus of Nazareth. Thankfully it was then time for a breather for those of us already feeling the strain. As I gulped down the water provided, I thought to myself that I think I have a higher opinion of my fitness than my body does!

After our stop at Carthage we started en route to the hill top village of Sidi Bou Said, and when Randall said ‘hilltop’, he meant it! It wasn’t really a steep hill but it was a long one top get to the top of, so we all shifted down a few gears before the slope took its toll. There was just time for another breather before the final push to the village, when we all suddenly realised that before us was a VERY steep hill. We all looked at each other (secretly thinking ‘he’s not going to make us cycle up that is he?’), when Aaron told us that we get off and wheel the bikes up that bit! Relief is probably the best word to describe what we were feeling at that point.

Our bike guides (L to R - Aaron, Russell and Randall)

Reaching the top, I dived in the nearest café to grab a drink and some shade as the it was absolutely boiling, and we all swapped stories of how we were finding the ride. On the way back to the ship we went via the WWII memorial for the British and US soldiers and past some stunningly ornate mosques and while Aaron (a vision in pink lycra) stopped traffic while we wobbled our way across the local roundabouts. Then there was just time for a group photo by the beach before heading back to the ship for our 12.30 deadline.

Me and my fellow bikers (I'm 4th from the left on the front row!)

All in all the cycle tour was a great morning out and a really different way to see somewhere you probably would think twice about exploring on your own. The locals were friendly with a ‘Bonjour’ as we cycled past – probably because they have a good laugh at a group of Brits cycling through their towns and villages in single file every Thursday! Needless to say, my legs were like jelly when we got back on board and I think I might have to eat a few more chips before I go again – either that or get a more padded saddle - but a great trip, good staff and keeping fit to boot….

Tomorrow... hiking Up Mount Vesuvius in Naples. I’m going to be shattered by the end of this cruise!

Bernie