Time is passing quickly on our Mediterranean cruise, as we’ve reached the Greek Islands of Santorini. Yesterday was disappointing with plans canceled to see Olympia, but we woke up this morning to clear skies and warmer temperatures. I only ran a mile this morning, but still managed to get in over 17,000 steps on the streets of Santorini and much of those were actual stair-steps. As we were approaching the islands at sunrise, I could see them at a distance, initially thinking it was snow on top of the soaring cliffs ahead. Instead, it was the cluster of white-washed homes against the dark, volcanic pumice rock that they are built on. Many of these homes are actual caves that we once used for storage but now serve as hotels that can charge as much as 10,000 Euros a night in the tourist-packed summer season. There are only 15,000 residents on this series of islands, but the numbers swell as the temperatures rise, playing host to 2 million visitors each year.

We started our day on the ship’s “gangway,” thinking of pirates and walking the gangplank in shark-infested waters. Instead, it provided passage to our “tender,” a boat that delivered us safely from ship to shore. These new terms were all Greek to me. Once on land, as bus escorted us to the top via a zig-zagging, narrow road with breathtaking views of our shrinking ship in the blue waters below. We first visited the towns of Oia and Fira and learned that the iconic blue-painted domes that contrast sharply with the white houses are churches, and there are over 600 serving these communities. That’s 25 people per church provided that everyone in town attends. All of these churches and their associated religious monuments are obviously popular tourist destinations, or they could never make ends meet. There are both Orthodox and Catholic churches, basilica and Byzantine cross types. It’s all Greek to Me.

As with the other Mediterranean islands, there were lots of stray cats, some of them sunning on the white reflective roofs of the cave homes. No hot tin roofs here! There was also at least one dog who left a deposit on the main retail street. Unfortunately, I stepped in it!  The only other animals I saw were the donkeys who primarily haul construction materials and carry tourists on their backs up the step hills. Their deposits are much easier to see. Greek poop – please scoop!

We enjoyed the sweet Greek wine called Vinsanto in a local tasting room that overlooked the distant sea, had an authentic Greek buffet lunch in Pyrgo while entertained by musicians & dancers, and did some serious jewelry shopping. Opa – please pass the Windex! More Greek to me. A Tram dropped us gently down the cliffs to the port, with the other option being a donkey ride, and then it was a quick tender back to the ship. More Greek tomorrow in Athens after an Italian dinner tonight in Manfredi’s, another exclusive onboard specialty restaurant. Tomorrow will be our final stop, as I struggle with a nasty cold.