A lot of people who’ve been there, and many who have not, will recognise this shot. It’s one of the worlds’s iconic images : the majesty that is Santorini.
There can be few more exciting sights in the world than this island, approached from the sea, across the Caldera.
She is a survivor, Santorini. The striations in the rock colour testify to the volcanic activity that almost blew her out of the sea. Edging towards her, you cannot but help be filled with awe.
But then the awe gives way to mild terror as you dock and realise that all the way to the top is to be accomplished on the back of a donkey! A humble beast of burden, it may well be, but never think that a donkey might not have a mind of its own. And, naturally, that mind conflicts strongly with your own. The memory of sitting helplessly on its back, gazing down at certain death, as it lowered its head over the low stone wall to graze the sparse grass- well, let’s just say it’s not one of my better ones.
A whack on the rump (it’s, not mine) had us lurching upwards again, and it was without a trace of sorrow that I parted company with the beast at the cliff top. I’m sure I detected a smirk on its face, but then, you’d have to find pleasure somewhere if you toiled up and down these slopes all day.
Michael is not at all a fan of cable cars and dangling in the air, but even he agreed that it would be preferable to “descent by donkey”. Me, I absolutely love them, and never more so than on that day. In the meantime, there was exploring to be done.
You know that I don’t have much expertise in this, so I should tell you that these photos are all Michael’s and completely unedited.
restlessjo 
You’ve got a great narrative voice, Jo, and kudos to Michael as well! I love his photos, especially the church bells – great simplicity in the framing. 🙂
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Many thanks for that. The last bell shot is my favourite.
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Arriving at islands by sea is one of life’s joys, isn’t it? Santorini looks very impressive, the views from the top must be awe inspiring. If I ever go I’ll take a few carrots in my pocket.
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Or even some carrot cake, Lorna? Simnel cake this weekend. Happy Easter!
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You are brave, girl. Donkey riding there seems a take-your-life-in-your-hands experience!
I love the bell shots. Good work, Michael.
Great post, Jo.
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My knees couldn’t knock with a donkey between them, Gem! Part of life’s rich pattern? Well, maybe.
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Rich with adventure ;-).
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I love Santorini, Jo! Thanks for taking me back to my 4 days there last September. 🙂
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It must have changed a bit in those 20+ years, Cath, but no less beautiful, I’m sure.
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I bet it hasn’t changed much, Jo. Why would anybody change such a beautiful place?
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Santorini. suppose to be one … the most island of them all and your photos give that picture too. Stunning how the houses sits on rocks … and that last photo is my favorite.
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Mine too, Viveka. Such wistful blues!
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A beautiful place. Love the view and the white washed buildings.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thanks Francine. Hope your Easter is beautiful, like you.
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Beautiful place, and probably worth the harrowing donkey-ride to get there.
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Absolutely was, Barb. Back down was a piece of cake!
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Those buildings look very precariously balanced, it must be an amazing sight.
I do feel sorry for the donkeys though having to tramp up and down all day long 😦
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I might have known you would, Vicky!
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I must visit there someday… Love these shots of Santorini, especially the bells from the distance. Beautiful post, Jo!
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It’s a beautiful place, Amy. Hard to take a bad photo. (easy for me to say when these are all Michael’s)
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we’ve been there too – if I had the money, I would do it again …
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Me too, Frizz, and stay a bit longer.
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I really would like to go to Santorini. Every photo I see of it makes it look wonderful.
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You’re right, Elaine- it (she) doesn’t know how to take a bad photo. I suspect you’d have to go early or late now, to avoid the crowds.
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Yes, avoiding the crowds would be my preference! Now that we can travel outside the school holidays, it makes it easier.
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An absolutely stunning place but if I knew the only way up and down would be my donkey, I might pick another island. The two of you were very brave.
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Young(er) and reckless, Karen! Being truthful, I didn’t know about the cable car till we got up top, but I would still have wanted to do it the traditional way (I think!)
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Yes, I was braver when I was younger. 🙂
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Beautiful picture’s Jo. Two of my children have gone on that donkey ride and tell me it’s terrifying! You’re very brave for doing it 😀
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I guess I’d got on before I thought too much about it! It was a LONG way up in terms of steps, even for me, Dianne.
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Glad you found your pictures for this post. Santorini was once one of my favourites but now I find it far too busy because of all the cruise ships. The last time I was there I counted six and Fira was horribly overcrowded. When you go back to Greece I recommend Milos, it’s almost as photogenic but with nowhere near the amount of people. I agree with you about those donkeys – scary especially when they start to race each other!
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Do you know if you can still do the donkeys, Andrew? Richard was asking.
I guess you’d have to go out of season these days (now that it’s no.5 on TripAdvisors top 10 islands list They have a lot to answer for.)
I always wanted to do Milos and the further flung Cyclades, but we didn’t make it. Just maybe…
Yes, I knew I had Santorini- the photos are missing for the next post (Delos and Mykonos).
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I am almost certain that the donkeys are still there – no other way to the top except for the cable car! There are certainly still donkeys doing the same thing at Lindos on Rhodes.
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I remember thinking it’d be a long walk upwards, even by my standards!
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I must get there one day. I assume the donkeys have been replaced now?
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It’d make a great second honeymoon, Richard, but you’ve not been married long enough for that. I’m not sure- I suspect you can still do it. I noticed that it was no.5 in the Top 10 Islands on TripAdvisor this morning and meant to have a look and see what their recommends are for things to do. Not that I’m a TripAdvisor fan but I’m on their mailing list.
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It’s possible I may finally get there in 2014. Nice post.
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Oh, I hope for you that you do, Marc! It doesn’t disappoint.
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Compliments to Michael’s photography.
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I’ll tell him! He was using a real camera (a Brownie) as opposed to the digitals we use these days.
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Wonderful post and awesome photos.
Santorini is worth for a visit. Many years ago we cruised to it from Crete. There were huge amount of steps to walk down to the ship.
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Maybe we were there at the same time! I guess some things will have changed but those steps will still be there. Many thanks!
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Stunning images Jo.. Remind me the music by Yanni. Santorini.
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Such an amazing place- every time I look at these, it’s like being back there.
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amazing place and great photographs. Thanks and have a nice weekend, love, nia
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Fabulous, Nia. Many thanks. You too!
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