I thought I’d better go and check out the national museum because for one, the architecture of the museum itself is impressive. I enjoy going to museums and have been to many over the last few weeks and you can learn more about the country you are in.
However the price tag to get into this museum nearly knocked me over, 99 Qatari Rials… I think this is criminal for such a wealthy country, mind you they said that this will allow you access to another two museums….. what if I don’t want to visit the other two… The museum is modern and vast although I feel that it was bit sparse when it came to exhibits of a tangible nature. So many of the walls were being used to project images of Qatari life over the years and you can sit down and soak up these images and listen to locals recanting life as they knew it…if I want to watch a movie I’ll do it at home, I’m not interested in going to a museum where around 60% is digital content, very disappointed and not worth the money.
Before I went here I went to the Marine Promenade to see some crazy buildings. The new Fairmont Hotel is stunning, I might have to stay here next time.
I got an Uber to the bus station, I had two credit cards with me today. I must have walked too far yesterday because I have a twinge on the left side of my foot, so I’m not going to do too much today.
At Corinth there is a very large archaeological site but I think I’ll give it a miss, I don’t believe that there is anything really specific that needs to be seen and so for that reason I’ll go as far as the canal.
I have this image in my head of a very large ship heading through the canal and there is very little room either side for error. It was cut through sold rock and the sides are slightly angled for structural reasons but I think that this is a marvel of the modern age.
The ancient mariners had thought about constructing a canal here but it was not until 1891 that work finally got underway and it was first used in 1893.
The sun stayed in bed today which made Athens Baltic. I slowly climbed up to the top of the hill trying to be as gentle on my ankle as possible because this slight incline is stretching bits that I don’t want stretched.
It was busy and the walk through the streets was pleasant, some of the buildings are amazing. The Parthenon seemed to be a lot smaller than I thought it would be. On TV it always seemed so big but in reality, although impressive I maybe expected more. I’ve seen so many ancient structures on this trip and maybe I’m a bit worn out, mind you such a structure on top of this huge edifice is no mean feat. To build this complex of structures is still quite amazing and when you put it in context of the time period it was built then you really need to sit back and be impressed.
The next day the sun came out and I decided to go to the Corinth Canal, which I’ve always marvelled at. I got to the bus station and my travel card would not work on the ancient card machine and the atm didn’t like it either so it was back to plan b, museums.
The Archaeological Museum was very good, but it seemed that every school in the district was told I’d be there and sent every child possible. Some of the exhibits were off limits because of this but there was still plenty to look at.
When I finally made it out of the metro and back to the sunshine I stopped to orientate myself with Google so that I can get to my hotel. Immediately a black guy approaches and tells me that he likes my style, the same routine that they played in Italy.
I turn on my heels as I’ve found where I need to go and head to the main road. Another black guy is there and he watches me struggle with the big case and back pack. When I reach the other side I take the first right and continue on my way. The second black guy passed me and crossed the street and gave a piece of paper to an Indian guy who within twenty seconds asks if I speak English? I ignore him and continue along the street. The black dude turns right and disappears.
I stop at a busy intersection to check Google and then I’m on my way. The Indian guy reappears and passed me. I look around and its just me and him. After a few yards he tries to engage me in conversation and I ignore and walk on, I’m only about a minute away from my Hotel and there are people coming towards me. He turns off and I don’t see him again.
After I check in I go to my room and remove my jacket only to find it had been sprayed with some kind of, I don’t know. I go to the shower to try and remove it and that’s easier said than done.
I’m glad to be leaving Santorini, there’s not much to do here considering I can’t hike anywhere and other than that it’s a small place out of season.
Getting to Athens will get me back on the culture and history trail once more, but it will be good to have more options and I’m hoping that this hotel will be better than the last. The Aquarius Hotel was booked because of location and price point but I was not really happy with the choice for the money spent.
It only had a hand shower which I think is fairly primitive in this day and age. This also made it a bit scary when I’m trying to have a shower on a very slippy surface with a dodgy ankle.
The room was cold and vast and not designed for winter, it might have been more pleasant in the height of summer but just now it was uncomfortable. With the aircon set to max I still had to wear several layers.
For breakfast you had to make your way outside every morning into the elements to get to reception and then ask them to prepare breakfast which was then brought to your room. Breakfast was simple and passable. There was a small table and chairs but again functional not comfortable.
A nice comfy chair similar to the one the Spanish Inquisition use would have been nice. There was no kettle, I had to ask for one. There was no water provided. The reception had a note saying open from 8am till 5pm however this was not the case, more often than not it was closed and I had to contact the hotel via WhatsApp and then it would be a fair bit of time before they returned.
This “Hotel” was, well I’m not sure what it was. I guess you pay a premium to stay in Santorini and this is what a hotel might look like but I was not impressed at all. My accommodation in the desert was much the same as here although slightly smaller.
I came here to see the blue domed houses and churches hugging the cliffs of this volcanic island and it was good to see this, but Santorini for me has not much else to offer…
I came to Kamari this morning for something to do and one of those things was to visit the old ruins of Thera. It’s only a 3.5 km walk but it’s all up hill via a zig zag road that winds its way up the very steep mountain. Even if it were a 100% fit this would be quite the challenge and as my ankle is a bit niggly this morning I ain’t going to even try.
I wasn’t sure just how steep it was but as I look at it I know that I ain’t got what it takes.
So I’ll just have to kill an hour or so until the bus arrives to take me back to Fira.
On more than one occasion over the passed weeks I find myself fighting Google maps and this has been really obvious here on Santorini, my inner compass is still well and truly embedded in the southern hemisphere. It’s just really bazaar the feeling you get when you look at the map and it just feels wrong. I look at the sea, I look at the map and then I decide which way to go and then I check the map and sure enough I’m 180° oot….. Go figure!!
I got the early bus to Oia, here you will find the many picture postcard images from Santorini. The stunning blue roof on top of the chalk white buildings. The place was deserted which I found very appealing, I think summer would be mental.
Most of the businesses are closed but for me that’s just fine, I had no intention of buying anything, I just wanted to come and see what all the fuss was about. It is a very pretty place and I’m sure living in one of the cliff hugging houses would be just grand. The downside of staying here is that there is no easy way to get your luggage or things to and from civilisation, the narrow passageways and copious amount of stairs certainly look pretty but would soon wear you out. Nevertheless I spent a pleasant hour or so just wandering around and the bonus of winter is that there are no people.
After I got off the bus in Fira I headed straight for lunch and had no choice but to get another bucket of red wine to get me through the day.
I got the bus to Akrotiri, which is where you will find a prehistoric village site which dates back over 2000 years. It was destroyed many moons ago by the huge volcanic eruption that took place here, in fact this island had been shaped by volcanic activity over the years and you can still see quite clearly the remains of the caldera.
I took the bus which was great, comfortable and the drivers here were way more competent than those of Istanbul, it was good to watch the artistry of the gear change combined with the fluid movement of both bus and driver.
The old remains were just that, old walls crumbling and at all angles and it was difficult to see the shape of them and much had been fenced off so you could not get up close and personal. Interesting all the same.
As I discovered to my horror the bus for the way home was not expected any time soon and so I headed off to the main road, five km away. Not that far and it normally would not daunt me, however my ankle is still not 100% but it was good enough to accept this challenge, but walking along the side of a busy main road is not my idea of fun. At least the surface being level did not put too much strain on anything.
I got to the bus stop ten minutes before the bus, great timing and then back home. Its only about two in the afternoon but I’ve had enough for the day, so I bought two kebabs for dinner and headed home for an early evening.
I found a few things to watch on TV after I plugged in my USB drive and then cranked the air con to 30C and settled down. And by the way this hotel is so cold that even running the aircon at this ridiculous temperature it still feels cold, this place might be OK in the heat of summer but in winter it is Baltic.
A lazy start to the day because breakfast begins at 8:30, which is half way through the morning as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t sleep well, it was cold so I’ll get more blankets for tonight.
First thing in the agenda was to get washing done and to check out the lay of the land. I passed three laundry’s that Google proclaimed open, however they don’t open until next month. I found one eventually and then went to the bus station.
I’m going to go to a couple of places on the island and the bus is the easiest and cheapest option. Information sought I headed home via the scenic route taking a few snaps along the way and then I found a small museum and so in I went.
Lots of small exhibits but still worth having a look, I’m always amazed at the skills and ingenuity of the ancients. They mastered skills and created familiar objects but in materials that we would not now consider, I really enjoy these places and when you see how old these items are it’s just mind blowing.
Most things in this museum were over 2000 years old.
It was dark and cold when I left for the airport this morning. As we neared the airport the snow was becoming heavier. I was wanting to leave istanbul and I was hoping that the gods saw to it.
At check in I was very surprised to be told that my bags would not be transferred all the way through to Santorini and that I would have to collect my bag and then check in again all in the space of an hour. I told the guy he was dreaming and he gave me some bullshit story and just let my bag disappear into the system. I argued with him but to no avail.
When we landed I headed to passport control and asked if I could skip the queue and the guy told me I had plenty of time even though there were over 100 passengers waiting in front of me.
I approached him a second time and this time he did a few more sums in his head, counted on his fingers and then told me to go through. My bag was waiting for me, how nice. I ran as fast as my ankle could cope and got checked in once again. Found the gate and even had time for a coffee before we boarded the plane, which was a small 50 seat prop.
Very bumpy take off and landing, the wind and snow had returned and we got our monies worth. All the while the sun is shining but the wind chill would cut you in two. Its only a short flight to Santorini, less than an hour which is good. I have a car picking me up so I’m being quite the jetsetter and I like it. But it’s also expensive.
My driver is there and takes me to my hotel high on the hill, this is going to be a kill or cure moment for me ankle. After about ten minutes or so I head down to find the main street and see what’s what. I get a sim card, and then a kebab
I’m still hungry so I pop into the supermarket and buy a few supplies. I’d passed a small taverna and the menu looked good and there were gas heaters burning so I’m thinking this will do me. Big cubes of meat in a tomato paste with rice and a bucket of red wine and I’m set. I park beside one of the wonderful gas heaters and shed a couple of layers, this is the life. I’ve been looking forward to this part of the journey and I’m actually looking forward to getting back to the house and the car and go sit in my own home, but for now I’m going to indulge on Santorini.
Tomorrow I’ll explore and get my clothes washed. See what’s on offer and check out the buses and the like. The weather is supposed to get slightly warmer but that’s OK as long as the rain and the snow stay away that will be just fine.
