Idling in Ios!

Our last day in Santorini was quite special, we had a fabulous shared feast with Lois and Nancy, and spent our last night drinking on a roof top eating olives out of an ashtray (clean one) with Abbey and Gary from the UK - thanks for your version of a noy noy guys!! under a glorious sunset with views way across the caldera, a perfect ending to a fabulous stay. We realised as we descended down towards Athinos port in Santorini just how close to the clouds we were! The ferries are running so efficiently, you have to guess which one you have to catch, people everywhere, and you literally have to run on and run off at your destination. We had visions of a chug chug type that would meander slowly to the next island, arrive, engine off, and disembark at your leisure, no such luck mate! The engines remain running, and they get passengers on and off, cargo on, and just speed off immediately on departure time....we think Fullers could learn a thing or two!! We were quite nervous about finding a room, we were confronted by about 20 people throwing their room photos in our faces at the port, luckily we knew what part of the island we wanted to stay in and that eliminated most of the hawkers. We found a quiet spot behind the beach, Yialos, all self contained, balcony with view, it was a private hotel type of place, but we were the only ones there, $40 a night, so quite cheap compared to our $180 per night in Santorini! The port town of Yialos is quaint, several tavernas, most of them still closed, an odd internet shop and several travel agencies selling ferry tickets. Right behind us though, and its hidden from view from here, and a good 25 minute walk uphill, is the other village called Hora, and its full of irish bars everywhere, why is that? We need to find the history of this place, if anyone knows the irish connexion, let us know! We counted 12 nightclub/bars whilst sitting in a quiet lane eating our spinach pie! Most were closed though, the tourist season mustn't start here for another few weeks yet! The town is really pretty, narrow lanes, all painted squares, whitewashed, overhanging bouginvillia and vines, loads of shops geared up for the younger set (trendy jewellery, shoes, clothes, surfshop stuff etc). Quite a contrast from our neck of the woods here in the port town. Food wise a little disappointing, we had a deep fried meal of calamari and veges, but all deep fried and cooked by an english woman, gave us indigestion! but last night was great, we had appetisers of stuffed peppers (feta cheese and bacon), a beef and lamb stew (cooked slow in a claypot), meatballs (tasty as) and fresh vegetables (not fried or dripping in oil) but steamed! They gave us complimentary dessert of yogurt honey and sliced peel? and a liquer with honey and cinnamon, delightful, cheap E30 which included half litre of red wino as well, lovely! Weatherwise we had a hot sunny day here yesterday, we had our first swim in the Med. Koumbara beach, water temp was still a bit chilly, but crystal clear with fish at our feet! We lay under a tamarisk on the beach (shared with only two others) and a roaming dog! Temperate was around 28oC but today its overcast and a little windy, perfect for travelling! Next stop Sikinos, not sure about facilities there, so if all goes quiet with the Houghts, you will know the reason why! andeeo for now!