The Trials and Tribulations of Riding ATV's Through beautiful Santorini...

(Ooops!!!  Somehow I posted the wrong sequence last time...)

Back to Santorini...

Ahhhh...the infamous Santorini ATV gang...

Uh oh!!!  I didn't know "Ponch" moved to Santorini... 

(Eric Estrada in CHiPs) 

Nah!!!  That's just Art!!!

Getting ready to go do a bit of ATV sightseeing...

But this ATV is not cooperating...

The guys are perplexed...the gals are bored...

and time is a wastin'!!!  

We finally called the ATV place...they sent someone out and swapped ATV's...

Sooooo....we're off to the top of the hill....

Perhaps a more sensible way up to the top...

The view was incredible...

But boy was it windy!!!

Leaving Santorini...the Easy (?) Way...

Heading back to the ship we went past this cool building...

Not sure if it's a home or something else...no signs...just a cool building on the top of a hill!!!

Heading back down to the ship, we decided to utilize a different form of public transportation...

When you visit Santorini...I suggest riding the mules UP!!!

My mule rather liked to hug the side of the path...

Back on the ship...this is the view of Santorini...

And a cool seating area on the ship...

This became our favorite spot to decompress after a long day of excursions!!!

When asked what her favorite part of the trip was, our 13 year old travel companion said

"getting together at the end of the day with everybody!!!"

A little refreshment...and of course, cigars...

A little Greek music...

Great Service....

The perfect end to fun day!!!

Another Beach...Another Day of Pure Relaxation and Fun!!!

We took off on our ATV's and headed for yet another fabulous beach...

Yep...that's black sand...

Another day of relaxing in the shade...

soaking up the beauty and indulging in some scrumptious calamari...

The obligatory souvenir towel...

Gosh...this constant state of relaxation is wearing her out!!!

What could be better than sitting on this gorgeous beach, having a beer and eating calamari with good friends and family???

The Big Decision....

Well...most of us wimped out...

and took the Gondola...

But look at the views!!!

Of course...there were a couple of a die hards with us...

...who hiked their way up...

...and up, and up, and up!!!

But we all got there in time to explore a bit...

...on our way to get our ATV's!!!

Head 'em up...Move 'em out!!!

The Island that Blew it's Top Off!!!

Geologically, Santorini can be explained by saying it was once a volcanic cone that blew it's top off...

no...really...according to Wikepedia...that's how Santorini became what it is today!

The port for Santorini is actually located in a large lagoon, surrounded by high cliffs...

In order to get to the island, the ship docks out in the center of the lagoon and the passengers are taken to shore on ship tenders...

A bit crowded...a bit stuffy...glad it was a calm sea!!!

Passing by another tender, and an interesting ship in the harbor...

Landing at the dock...

Now...we have a decision to make...walk up the stairs to the top of the cliff or ride the gondola????