Day 42 - Around Santorini, a Physical Geographer's porn site

Woke up early to catch the sunrise at Perissa Beach, which is only 5 minutes walk away from the hostel. The room wasn't heated, and neither was the water as well. Had to boil water using the electric plate when I wanted to shower the night before. But for near €8 a night, which is less than €1 more expensive than camping out, it's a not bad deal lah.

The room.

Unfortunately, the rain from last night didn't stop till dawn. However, the clouds persisted.

At the berm. Guess why the beach is black?

Of course I was disappointed.

Cape Mesa Vuono

Mount Profitis Ilias - highest point in the island. (It's a mountain when it's only 567m? Mr Luo would like to comment that those below 600m are hills. So please do not make such mistakes when you're reading maps)

Breakfast from the trusty 24hr Bakery. Pastry with feta cheese and spinach, for €1.70. Decided to climb up Mount(sic) Profitis Illias, but there is no route up from Perissa. So thought of climbing up to Cape Mesa Vuono to take a look at Ancient Thira.

It's closed? But what the hell. Will still climb up to take a look at the view.

The workers at Ancient Thira allowed me to look around for 30 minutes. It's the ruin site that predates the Hellenistic Era. But whether it's the ruin site of a house, or market, or a temple, it still looks the same to me.

Black beach of Kamari, on the other side of the cape.

Perissa, as I was climbing down. I barely made it back to the hostel, pack, pay and wait at the bus stop before 10.30, which was the scheduled time the bus to Fira would come. Luckily, the bus was about 15 minutes late, giving me time to double check my stuff. Was tipped by the owner of the hostel to ask the driver to drop me off at the bus stop along the junction road to catch the bus to Akrotiri instead of taking it all the way to Fira and change there. Told the bus driver to Akrotiri that I'm going to red beach, which he kindly told me where to alight.

Was greeted by these beautiful red cliffs near the bus stop.

This dog barked at me at the bus stop. Soon, it followed me all the way to the red beach. I appreciate his company, but sometimes, he went around antagonising other dogs, or he would stand in the middle of the rocky paths that lead to red beach. Met his owner on the way back, and was told that this dog, Ella, likes to follow tourists. As much as I wanted to, I did not acknowledge his presence or have any physical contact with him. Why? I'll only be there for 1 hour. It's not fair to him to form any bonds.

Red Beach of Akrotiri.

2 guys were fishing there, who helped me take this photo. Thank goodness it's off season - The beauty of the beach aren't spoiled by deck chairs.

Guess what beach process I'm trying to show with this picture.

Why is the beach and the cliffs red? Mr Luo refuse to spoon feed. 5 mark question. Hint: What's the colour of rust?

Beautiful stratas.

Waiting for the bus to come.

For some reason, the bus went to several towns before it returned to Fira. Don't know why. This is Perissa beach. Back in Fira, school's over, so the bus is filled with school children. They seemed oblivious to the beautiful sights outside the bus window, while I watch in awe.

Thirasia island. Yes, I'm back at beautiful Oia once more. Just as I alighted the bus, an Indian lady asked "Excuse me, are you a Singaporean?" Turns out she's a Singaporean too, studying in France.

For some reason, 3 dogs followed us around in Oia. Same thing - they went around antagonising other dogs.

See if you can spot 2 of the 3 dogs that followed me.

I went down the cliff face where I watched the sunset earlier yesterday. Turns out it aren't a good spot. They say that the old fort is a good spot, but the sun would be partially blocked by Thirasia. Probably that will be the case in summer, when the position of the sun is different.

And the sky cleared up.

I'm very contented with this sunset.

Back in Fira. Had to wait till 2330H for the bus to the port. Walked around, but most shops are closed. Wanted to try a Cycladic-islands only dish, tomato fritters, but they don't make it until Lent. So I'm stuck with Gyros. The temperature dropped drastically - I had to wear more layers, including gloves. Spent time reading "Orientalism" that drew some awkward glance. Yes, I know they used a nude art as a cover for that book to express Said's idea of the feminisation, exoticisation and eroticisation of the "Oriental", but I aren't reading porn!

The volcano at dusk. Why do I call Santorini the porn site for physical geographers? Well, it has volcanoes, cliffs, cauldera, exposed stratas, beaches of different colour etc. So many physical landforms. I think any physical geographers who visited Santorini will be high. But of course, it is an extremely beautiful place for others.