Weather was on our side on Saturday and we took the day trip to the volcano which is directly opposite Thira on the main island. A cable car took us down to the Old Port (alternative was a donkey ride or hundreds of steps) and we boarded our sailing ship for the day.

First stop was at the volcano which is a separate little "island" offshore and we docked at Erinea Bay and walked all the way up to the top of the volcano (extinct) which is a little similar to Etna landscape but of course much smaller. A very other-wordly experience - everything just totally black - sand, stone, rocks, etc. but lovely views back to Santorini there and all across the water to other small islands. A bit like being on a black mars landscape.

Next stop was at the thermal pool on Nea Kameni which is actually another smaller island again that has thermal currents close to shore. People had to dive off the sailing boat and swim into shore to take advantage of the warmer water around 38 degrees.

After that we stopped at the island of Korfos where the little beach is lined with traditional tavernas grilling fish they caught that day and other seafood. We enjoyed a lunch of grilled snapper and stuffed veges with a half carafe of local white wine. Such a lovely location and made us feel like we were really on a little Greek island quite unspoiled but mass tourism.

Saturday night we went for another sunset drink in Thira which is where we were staying so just a walk down the road. Food was awful and sunset did not happen due to cloud - oh well!

Sunday was a very warm day and we took the bus to Akritiri where they have done a fantastic archaeological job of the ancient town - summary below:

"It is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. The first habitation at the site dates from the Late Neolithic times (at least the 4th millenium B.C.). During the Early Bronze Age (3rd millenium B.C.), a sizeable settlement was founded and in the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca. 20th-17th centuries B.C.) it was extended and gradually developed into one of the main urban centres and ports of the Aegean. The large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels, show its great development and prosperity. The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations."

A really worthwhile experience and very pleased we went. Just down the road from the site is the Red Beach which had a couple of tavernas on the beach where we had fish again for lunch - sole this time, served with (cold) garlic mashed potatoes (?) and tomato fritters again with a glass of local white. Again the food was a little disappointing - we must be too spoiled in Noosa with the wonderful quality of food we have.

Our ferry left Santorini at 6pm - quick 2 hour journey back to Heraklion in Crete and we had booked to drive further east and stop at a little beach, Malia, for the night. What a job to find it in the dark - we ended up finding the hotel - right name but wrong town and then had to travel another 10kms along the road to the right town and struggle to find the hotel eventually arriving well after 10pm totally exhausted.