Santorini exploration via ATV...whoohoo!

Yes, we rented an ATV at a whopping 20 euros for 24 hours. We first visited an underground winery, the only one of its kind in all of Greece - I don't have the details with me (but can provide places, names, addresses, etc if you need them) but believe it ran 8 meters wide by 800 m in length. We did the audio/visual tour with three wine tastings. Santorini has vast amounts of vineyards due to the high volcanic content in the soil. It is rototilled 3 times a year to maximize the nutrients and the grapes are harvested in August...delicious!!! We then trucked on down to the black sand beaches whose heat radiated through our shoes...you could see the heat vapors at a distance, much like you see off the desert sands...my firsthand experience of a black sand beach.

Then it was up to the highest point of the island, the monestary and military installation, an interesting blend. The views were spectacular and we were surrounded in meadows of colorful wildflowers, butterflies, birds and Greek architecture was scattered throughout the countryside.

We then started heading back to Fira, but stopped and had a Greek lunch in a panoramic restaurant, with sweeping views of the towns and neighboring islands we had visited over these past three days. Bob brought me back to the hotel so I could catch a siesta (I've not gotten the Greek word for that yet), and he carried on with the ATV back to Oia. When he returned we had a homemade Greek dinner at a nearby restaurant in Fira where the owner is also the chef - the food was spectacular and when we met him personally, strongly urged that he publish a cookbook. We are going back there for lunch today before our 5:00 high speed ferry sailing back to Athens, which takes about five hours. I'm glad the seats are like those of a spacious aircraft, with preassigned seating...I feel another siesta coming on...Our flight departs on Monday morning and we will return home late that night.

It's been a pleasure to share some of our adventure with you via blog. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have. We'll have plenty of photos and stories to share for those who are interested.

Our very best wishes to call and to all mothers, have a very happy Mother's day!

With our love, Sylvie and Bob