21st June-

Woke up after spending a nice night in my single room. Is nice to have a bit of space as I have lots of sharing coming up. It is already hot and we are heading out for the day. Meet at 10am with the group and walked to the old port cable car. It was fun to catch the cable car down the side of the island. It provided great views over the area and we could see the volcanic island and how Santorini used to be a large circular island then the volcano explored and a large portion of the island sank into the ocean. The cable car is hot thought as it is so sunny and then sitting in a glass airless box in the sun isn't great. once we were down in the old port it was time to board our boat that is going to take us out to the volcano crater island. It is a small boat and was a very rough ride out to the island... Luckily it was only short and I seem to so far be ok with the boats and ferries we have caught.
Headed into the volcanic national park and starting walking up to the crater. It was a hardish walk up as the ground was very unstable underneath with lots of loose gravel and steep. We looked at the different colors in the rocks depending on how fast they cooled and also that some are spongy almost due to the air bubbles trapped in them. When we reached the creator you were able to see the areas where the hot sulfur air vents were releasing air. There was also a couple of scientists monitoring the area due to possible increased activity. Walked around exploring the area looking at the view back to the main island. Walked back down to the boat and got ready to sail towards the sulphur springs. We sailed around to another area on the same volcanic island. You could tell as soon as we were close to the area due to the rotten egg sulphur smell that hit you. We went into the water which was slightly warm and a dirty yellow colour and swan into a small cove towards the warm spring and the sulphur mud. The water continued to get warmer and warmer the further in you got. Once we reached the shore you were able to reach down to the bottom of the water pick up mud. It was black mud that we rubbed into our skin. It is meant to have good skin health properties. Swam around briefly before heading back to boat. Got out of the water but was still black from the mud so hoped back in the water to try and scrub and wipe some of the black colour off. It didn't work very well. Once out of the water we enjoyed a lunch- box lunch and even as we sailed back to the main island we could still smell the sulphur on ourselves. The sulphur also stained our clothes. Lucky I wore my old black bikini but others that wore lighter clothes have them now coloured a brown/ orange.
Once back on the main island we headed to the donkey station to ride the donkey to the top. The donkeys are funny they just know how to walk up the stairs. You don't have reins just sit on the donkey and hold on while it climbs it's way up the mountain. It was strange to be on a horse like animal and not have reins to control the animal. As we went up there were some great views over the area and was fun to ride on a donkey. Once we reached the top back into the main town of Fira. We decided to hire quad bikes. I shared a bike with Fiona another girl on tour. We got the bikes and then headed towards kamalari beach. It was a fun drive over to the beach and we parked and walked quickly around the town for a look and then headed to the black beach. It was black due to the volcanic particular. That made it hot and rocky underfoot. Went for a quick swim in the ocean it was pretty cold and rocky underfoot. Sat around on the sunbeds briefly before jumping back on the bikes and taking a few wrong turns and back streets to get back to the hotel. Stopped at a couple of points along the way to take pictures and admire the views.
Headed out to dinner with the group as it is kinda our last night together. Ate at a nice restaurant and tried fava, a chickpea dip sort of thing. Was a great view over the water and sunset. It was nearly as good as the one everyone was rushing to seer at Oia. Also sampled some more of the local wine.
After dinner it was time to head out for a last drink and dance. Had fun dancing in a cage and then on the bar. Headed back to the hotel not too late. It was an adorable way to end the tour.