September 6
We woke up with two plans today. Black sand beach in the morning followed by a sunset cruise around the Caldera in the evening. We had our lovely poolside breakfast and grabbed the first shuttle out. The Parissa beach is entirely made of black volcanic stones (hot as asphalt) and the clearest, calm blue waters ever. We lounged about in a couple of long chairs under the palm fronds of an umbrella, relaxing and reading to the soundtrack of the breeze and the small waves gurgling through stones. Very nice, if you ask me.
After a few hours, we grabbed the shuttle back in time for our ride to the port. What are the chances. Our boat maties were another lady couple wrapping up their honeymoon. Of course we hit it off right away. Add to that they’re from brussels, one of our favorite places, and we had a blast.
The catamaran sail boat (named “Carpe Diem”) took us all around the caldera (the old volcano that made those black beaches… the red beaches and white beaches and made the wine taste so good). It’s probably the worst/best thing that could have happened there. We saw the largest lighthouse on the island, those aforementioned beaches, high cliffs with endless white-washed buildings. Then we pulled into a small inlet where we swam in the icey, then jaccuzzi waters of a volcanic hot spring. The rocks were midnight black and the waters hot, orange and very much sulfur. You could smell it and see the rust forming on your skin and bathing suit. It was incredible (not to wash off). .
After boarding again, we rode around to see where a hermit lives on the island. He believes he owns it. He and his goat, dog and apparently, cell phone. I can’t imagine how he pays his bills. The dinner bell sounded and we were invited to the dinner table for a feast. They grilled right on the boat: pork chops, sausages, fresh pita bread, grilled feta, salad, homemade tatziki and eggplant dip. The works. We toasted with wine and with our new friends and ate everything. Gluttony at it’s finest.
After dinner, we returned to the front of the boat and watched the sun set orange and lavender across the endless sky and the mountainous islands strewn across those waters. A truly spectacular sight.