Met a lovely New Zealand couple at breakfast who assured us the donkey ride down (or up) the caldera was worth doing - so off we went. Raym's toe was feeling a lot less painful so we managed the walk into Fira and found our way straight to where the donkeys start from. All happened so quickly, no time for second thoughts as next I realised I was on the back of a donkey and my donkey (lead by an elderly Greek man) was leading the pack! Much fun as we meandered down the cobblestoned steps to the old port. Plenty of giggling but had to try and focus on that amazing view. So glad we chose to do it in the morning, before the temperature rose any further (was already very hot!) and before the smell became too pungent! Sat at the port with a cool drink watching a few day tripping boats coming and going before taking the cable car back up to the top of the caldera (didn't fancy walking up the 611 steps in this heat!). Wandered around a few more streets, had a gyros wrap for lunch and slowly negotiated our way back to Villa Ilias checking out various restaurants and sites enroute. Stumbled upon the beautiful St John the Baptist Catholic Church and nearby monastery.
More resting, swimming and laying by the pool. Met couples from Nova Scotia, New York, Munich and Christchurch (the poor couple from Munich were still waiting for their luggage that hadn't arrived from three days previous!) I wandered a little further up from our villa towards Imerovigli - view back down along the villas of the caldera was nothing short of spectacular.
Dinner was at Mama Thira along the Caldera towards Fira - actually had a set 4 course meal that included a whole grilled fish. Great value and really delicious! Early night as big day excursion tomorrow.