Up with the roosters and in search of a sunrise spot to photograph the famous blue domes of Oia. The caldera was pretty much deserted except for a few hardcore photographers with their tripods. We’re all in search of the shot that makes waking up at 5am worth it.
I meet a family from Vancouver while at the blue domes, and myself and the eldest son share the ledge to shoot our photos. They’re visiting Greece for just a week and he was envious that I had the month to explore. It’s a long way to come for just a week but I guess you take what you can get. They’re the first Canadians I’ve met although I’ve overheard a ton of Americans while walking in Oia.
I walk up the hillside where two small churches are perched and I decide I’m going to take the bus to Thira and then walk the 10km along the sea back to Oia after exploring Thira for a bit. The bus arrives and it’s packed so I have to stand by the driver. “Hey Indiana Jones, take your bag off!” It takes me a couple of seconds to realize he’s speaking to me. Last time I checked, Indie doesn’t wear a straw hat but I guess he couldn’t think of any other references off the cuff and he’s made himself giggle, so I’ll let him have it.
Thira is a pretty port town with a lot of the same shops along the caldera as Oia. I follow the route I’m to take back with numerous photo stops along the way and double-checking the map. With the sun reflecting off of the white buildings, it feels hotter than it is and my retinas are getting scorched. I’m tempted to jump in one of the many pools along the way to cool off. I have a rest at a church tucked into the mountain and enjoy the shade. I’ve got another few kilometres to go and my feet are swollen and tired. This hike should’ve been completed first thing in the morning and not in the heat of the day. What a numpty…
I crest a big climb and a local has set up a little food and drink stall. “Grapes like strawberries! You want grapes? Fanta? Water?” His son his sitting in the back of the rusted out pick-up truck and I notice the dad has an artificial lower leg. I purchase a Fanta hoping that my measly three euros may help him and his family out.
I get to the last long climb and there’s a herd of saddled donkeys for the lazy tourists to take up the last portion of the caldera. I feel terrible for them but at least they look well fed. As far as I’m concerned, if you got your ass that far you should be able to finish it off without breaking the back of a donkey for ten euro.
I make it back to the hotel and I am spent. I’ve never been so happy to dump my camera bag and take my shoes off. Laundry done, shower completed and much needed stretching to end off the night. No searching for the sunset tonight.
