{"id":9819,"date":"2014-08-20T21:15:46","date_gmt":"2014-08-20T21:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=9819"},"modified":"2014-09-16T20:20:33","modified_gmt":"2014-09-16T20:20:33","slug":"ancient-thira-lizards-ahmoudi-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/ancient-thira-lizards-ahmoudi-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Ancient Thira, Lizards and Ahmoudi Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The journey up the side of\u00a0Messavouno Mountain to reach the start of Ancient Thira<\/a> is not for the faint hearted, especially if you’re walking. Thanks to the Frog, we could cut out the most gruelling part (seriously if you are doing the public transport thing, you might want to organise a taxi instead of using your feet – the walk up must eat the best part of the day, and most of your energy!) and as soon as we had parked and paid for tickets (costing around \u00a33 each), full of energy we set off for the final part of the walk up where an ancient city waited…<\/p>\n

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The cliff side path to the very top affords amazing coastal views if you don’t have a problem with heights (or blinking steps) and the wild-flowers that surround the track are gorgeous, if not a little spiky at times (if none of that’s your cup of tea then you might enjoy the planes landing and taking off in the distant airport instead!)…<\/p>\n

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From here on in things just gets better, as you begin to stumble upon ruins dating back thousands of years. \u00a0 Keep an eye out for the detail on the very first building – where the walls are decorated with a lion, a dolphin and an eagle. \u00a0 The buildings beyond promise more still including the bones of private houses, a Roman Bath, the remnants of shops, and what must have been an impressive arena – I think it still is. \u00a0 \u00a0If you look closely there’s still plenty of detail to savour despite many treasures having been removed to the safety of museums, or indeed plundered in earlier times. \u00a0Small girl, as you can imagine was in her element. \u00a0As was Small Boy, albeit for slightly different reasons. \u00a0He reckons he spotted around 1,387,502 lizards. I would argue that there were actually 1,387,503 however! \u00a0See – something for everyone!<\/p>\n

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The Lizard Spotter Advances…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Later at lunchtime we were fleeced down at Kamari Beach by a restaurant owner who had managed to paint a very convincing blue parking sign. \u00a0 Reminding me of a spider in wait, he jumped out to tell us that if we were parking there, we had to eat in his restaurant. \u00a0 Proof that even experienced travellers sometimes ignore the oldest tricks in the book! \u00a0Anything for a quiet life when travelling with hot and bothered children in need of sustenance after a morning of historical discovery. \u00a0And yes, it was most definitely the worst meal of our trip!<\/p>\n

In need of a restful afternoon, Frog Car<\/a> kindly took us to Lygeria back over in Oia,\u00a0where the small people swam to their heart’s content, and we laughed our heads off at the cheek of the restaurant owner, whilst half dozing under the shade of the umbrellas at the water’s edge.<\/p>\n

To make up for our disappointing culinary experience earlier that day, we drove down to Oia’s gorgeous Ahmoudi Bay (or rather we drove half way down and walked the rest of the way – I recommend you do the same so you don’t get stuck – the turning around option at the bottom is somewhat hair-raising!) for a sunset dinner. \u00a0 There are several restaurants in this picturesque bay, most of them offering fresh fish caught on its very doorstep. \u00a0 We decided upon the aptly named Ahmoudi Bay Restaurant \u00a0for some of the freshest seafood I think I have ever had, followed by a plate of the tiniest crispest doughnuts smothered in honey and walnuts. \u00a0 \u00a0Delicious. \u00a0 And just in time to watch the sun going down on another day.<\/p>\n

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I have to thank my Greek insiders – the wonderful Alexia from A Mum in London<\/a> for her Ancient Greek Santorini tips without which would have had me having to listen to a lot of moaning from the Small Girl – and also my friend Leslie for her great food recommendations!<\/p>\n

Now, would one of you mind translating this?<\/p>\n

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Share me:<\/h3>