Day 37: Santorini.....

As we departed Monemvasia, you could get a great shot of the little town that served as the main visit spot and hike launching spot...we did neither:))))

 One of, if not the loveliest islands in Greece is Santorini....before we arrived in the morning, we had another Cooking and tasting demo from Rick Moonen...on Gazpacho...some techniques included the adding of ice to the Cuisinart so the vegetables didn't heat up and lose their crispness while being mushed, and putting a bit of ketchup in the blend to add color and acid/sweetness...go figure...ketchup from a top chef master???? Are you surprised that Peggy had a premier seat?

 The other great couple we met...Ron and Kathleen from Bakersfield, enjoyed dinner with us a few different nights.  We're hoping to meet them in Athens for a drive to Corinth on Monday...great folks, and Stu, he loves the Raiders...

 The other specialty restaurant was Degrees, known more for their meat menu....They set up BBQs on the back deck, and we ate some excellent filet and rib eye...on the same plate:)

 Finally arriving in Santorini, you can see our yacht in the background...

 Most of the other villages just looked like snow covered mountain tops, when in reality they were white washed towns with white marble everywhere...

 The town of Lira(?) had its share of white beauty...

 The Wind Surf was a beautiful Yacht...at 190 meters long, 5 sails and the largest sailing vessel in the world....I think they said....

 I loved taking this photo since the ship on the left was a Celebrity Cruise...exactly the line we took when last here about 7 years ago...

 In case you missed the historical symmetry of it all....we've now been on both!

 And to be more clear which exact ships we're talking about....

 Nick....another wood fire brick oven from the 30s....by the way, a lot of people and restaurants had the name Nick in them:)))

 Cable car, walk or donkeys (pronounced like "monkeys")....we 4 euro cable car-ed up and 0 euro walked besides these boys on the way down...5 euro for the privilege of riding them...smelling them was free whether you rode or walked...

 A glamour shot of our yacht...or not....

 Ron attempting the ride down...he said he would NOT ever do that again...

 The sun set and the full moon rose...at the same time...Peggy making sure you see the moon....

 Being the last night, we had the Captain's Dessert event....too much...too late...but pretty good looking...as we said goodbyes to our friends. not knowing who we would see at 7:30 in the am...

 The cruise was one for the ages, as we enjoyed the yacht, the food, the beverages, the ports of call, the weather, and mostly the people.

 This is both Jim and Linda Luke...met them the first night in Rome, and greatly enjoyed their company throughout the week....and hopefully into the long term future!!!!

Now we enter Athens...3 days and our return flight home....let's see how photogenic this city is!!!!   blessings,