Greece, April 2000
1 Santorini (Thira)
Map of Santorini or Thira which is its ancient (and to some
people current)
name .The red spots indicates places visited and also shows where photos has
been
taken. To the right view to the SW over the Caldera from Santorini's capital Fira
View of the Caldera, to the NW from Fira
Fira as seen from the Caldera (which is the name of the Aegean Sea between the Santorini islands)
Palea Kameni, one of the volcanic islands in the Caldera
The crater of the still active volcano Palea Kameni. Fira is on the other side of Caldera
Volcanic gases sips out of the crater. Also the soil is notably hot here
The village Ia (Oia) on Santorini's NW peninsula
Another view of Fira, Santorini's capital
The serpentine curves down to Athinios, Santorini's new harbour are
breathtaking. The
port is totally isolated, built on a site where no former settling exists
My host-family and friends
Easter preparations in a Greek ortodox church. The
flowers are to decorate the Epitafio,
or grave of Jesus. The small picture depicts a chapel on the island Thirasia.
Northern view from the peak of mount Profeti Ilias (567 m). The white areas are buildings, not snow!
View to the west from Profeti Ilias with the small white island Aspronisi to the right
View of Caldera to the NE from Faros
3500 years old urns at the Akrotiri excavations,
a city buried
by volcanic eruptions way back then
View of the village Ia
Another view of Ia. (Note the semi-indoor swimming pool
in the
lower central portion of the picture!)
The Caldera as seen from Ia, with the old castle in the centre
Beautiful sundown as seen to the north from Ia. The island to the right is Ios
2 Crete / Kreta
The Douka alley and the old venetian harbour in Chania
The splendid beach in central Rethymno with the old venetian fortress to the right
Mirambelou bay, eastern Crete
Endless fields of olive trees near Ano Vianos, eastern Crete
A mix of excavations and reconstructions of the Knossos palace
The lovely dirt road at the Falasarna excavations, western Crete
Serpentine curves down to the Falasarna bay
Full chaos when loading and unloading the El Greco ship simultaneously in Iraklio's harbour -
wonderful!
A row of lambs ready for the Easter Sunday festivities (note
the donkey's head with its mule intact!)