May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Because of the earthquake swarm, Aimee has been nervous about visiting the volcano island of Santorini. A large 6+ earthquake hit the Aegean east of Crete last night causing a tsunami warning to be sent out. That was too close. We are leaving.

But first I want to get a sunrise photo. Before breakfast Aimee and I walk out to the western tip of Oia. We are shocked that we have the normally crowded walkways now all to ourselves. We even see old windmills out past the former Venetian fortress of Oia Castle.

We checked out of our room and drove to the airport. After dropping off the car we caught a flight to Athens. Our flight path took us over our accommodation in Oia and over the Cyclades islands. I got a great view of Milos (of Venus de Milo fame). It has a similar C-shape as Santorini. That is because it was also formed by a volcanic explosion, only much longer ago. Unlike Santorini, it is now extinct.

Once in Athens we found our driver who takes us into the city. Or at least tries to. The last few miles was a crawl through a dense car-filled urban jungle. We are not in Santorini anymore, Toto. After checking in to our hotel, we have a salad lunch in their atrium cafe.

After lunch we visit the nearby Acropolis (high city) that dominates the skyline of old Athens. We climb uphill onto the plateau entering through a monumental gate (Propylaea). Once a year in ancient times, 100 animals would have been led up this same ramp for a mass sacrifice.

The Acropolis has a long history of fort, palace, temple, church, mosque, and finally military garrison. After Greek independence, all of it was wiped away leaving only the Classical Greek facades of 450 BC. The most prominent feature is the Parthenon, a temple-like structure built to honor the Greek victory over the Persians. Unfortunately it is behind scaffolding. I am not sure if it has ever been free of restoration work.

Also on the Acropolis is the Temple to Athena (Erechtheion) with its Porch with columns shaped like female figures. We are amused by the several Oriental girls posing for pictures in Greek Goddess outfits complete with a golden laurel wreath.

I am a little shocked at the number of barriers everywhere restricting access. When I visited before I could easily peer over the edge and see the two theaters hugging the slopes of the Acropolis. Now they have special viewing locations.

Once down from the Acropolis we crossed the street and climbed Filopappou Hill. We are not doing it for the small monument at its peak, but for the great view of the Acropolis. We enlist the help of a social media savvy youngster to take our picture. Unfortunately in 1687, this great view became a liability when the Venetians attacked the Ottoman Army garrisoned atop the Acropolis. A well-placed mortar shot detonated the gunpowder stored in the Parthenon, severely damaging it. We also climbed the nearby Pynx Hill but the view is not quite as good.

For dinner we walked south away from the tourist zone to have dinner with the locals. It was excellent. Besides the standard Greek salad, we had delicious Fried Zucchini and finished with two fish dinners. While exploring this restaurant mecca we found a great bakery with very tempting desserts. The girls found chocolate Mosaiko and had to try it again. The boys chose some Mexican spicy Chocolate ice cream at a Gelato shop.