Steppin' Out (21/06/11)

After breakfast, under clear blue skies, we headed off on our long trek to Oiea. This town is on the northenmost tip of Santorini,so quite some distance away. The hike was along trails on the edge of the caldera (volcano rim), so you can imagine the great views we had. On one side was plunging cliffs into the ocean, where once the volcano crater stood. On the other side are plains where lava flows created a small plateau where towns set up. The trails are all through volcanic rock, pumice and occasional limestone outcrops - very difficult to traverse (most of the trip was uphill) and also very hot. It took about two hours to get to Oiea, with several stops for photos and a drink of water. Then we spent another hour walking through the town, perched high on the rocks, before descending down to the waterline : a trip of nearly 300 steps but each step three paces long. It took another 20 minutes just to walk down, but once at the water's edge it was a lot cooler. Our destination was Dimitris, recommended as the best seafood restaurant in Santorini. The tables are right on the edge of the sea , the table leg flush with the edge. You could not get closer waterside dining. After yesterday's wine tour we were confidently able to order a half bottle of the local Nikteri wine to accompany our lunch : first a shared entree of a whole grilled cuttlefish, with oils and herbs together with a tomato and cucumber salad. For the main course we wanted fish : it is priced by the kg so you go into the display room in the restaurant, select first the type of fish you want and then the specific fish. This is weighed and then sent to the kitchen for cooking. We settled for a grilled snapper of 500g, although the fried red mullet or the foil wrapped scorpion fish also sounded good. It was a lovely meal, and once finished all that remainded was to go home. Unfortunately even after repeated calls for a taxi we were unable to get one, so we had to walk back up all those steps in the afternoon sun. It was very difficult and uncomfortable. We then caught a bus back to our hotel, where a swim in the pool again helped to revive flagging spirits. Tonight we have a treat, as the hotel has an outdoor spa high up on the property overlooking the caldera and the sunset, and each night a couple is allocated one hour as the sun sets to use it. Tonight is our turn ! I am sure there will be other special treats to make it a special occasion, so we will let you know tomorrow .....