Sun and Shadow

magine living on the side of an active volcano. Santorini or Thira is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km or 120 miles south-east of Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. The volcano last erupted about 3,600 years ago. This destroyed much of the Minoan civilisation. The volcano is sleeping, but on a tiny island slowly growing in the centre of the caldera, there are tiny gas and ash plumes still erupting even today.

Walking around in the towns and villages you are always climbing or descending steps. This is due to the steep sides on the Volcano cone. Stout footwear is needed and regular refreshments in the many tiny bars and restaurants. The buildings are often painted in bright colours, which add to the rustic charm. The small frontage of the buildings, hide the cool underground living spaces excavated into the volcano walls.
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