Day 5 – Santorini

We arrive at the port in Santorini after a pleasant 5 hour trip on the SeaJet hydrofoil stopping at a couple of islands on the way. The owner of Glaros Traditional Guesthouse, Christos, had told me to phone him on our arrival so he could come and pick us up. I do this but have a very confusing call. Christos thinks I am ringing to make a booking but I insist I have a booking and he should be expecting me. He tells me he will pick us up in 15 minutes.

A Greek man called John arrives and says he is friend of Christos. His English is poor and when we arrive at Glaros Alan and I are a bit shocked by the place. Humble is about the best way to describe it. Basic room with one sheet on the bed, a door with a handle that falls off when we open it etc. No other guests. Quite picturesque in a rustic kind of way but all very dodgy and John now asking for money and saying he is the new owner. Alan is a bit stressed but we pay the money anyway – John promising to return tomorrow with a car deal for us – cheap only 20 euros a day! We are in the lap of the Gods.

This slight puzzlement aside Perivolous is rather magnificent. Long stretch of black beach with umbrellas and deckchairs and bar service for many miles all along the beach and restaurants and cafes opposite. It is a strange sensation to be at a beach with pop music blaring and bar staff. The majority of folk on the beach are young and beautiful and Alan is definitely enjoying the view. We are slightly tense from wondering if we have been conned but relax into the afternoon with several dips in the lovely water and a bask in the sun. The sand is very coarse being volcanic rocks and hot hot hot to walk on.
We have a fabulous dinner at one of the more low key restaurants along the beach front. We choose it mainly because it isn't playing loud music. Our meal is fantastic and we come home to dodgy abode satisfied.