We decided to visit the ancient town of Thira today. More difficult than you'd think.
First we had to get a boat to Kamari around the rock, it was very busy and a choppy enough for one poor woman to turn green, soon we were dumped on the beach and off we went in search of the bus to Old Thira. The tickets cost 10 Euro to be driven up the mountain and it was one hair raising ride as the road twisted and turned and the bus driver avoided idiots on quad bikes.
Old Thira (not to be confused with the capital) was originally built on the summit of the hill by the exiled Spartan Thiras, who modestly named it after himself, extensively built upon by subsequent generations of Greeks and Romans it was abandoned after an earthquake in the early Christian era. There are the remains of a theatre, several temples, sanctuaries and other buildings and some fine rock carvings. It must have been difficult though keeping the place provisioned dragging food and stuff up from sea level in the sort of heat we have had today.
Back to Perissa this afternoon and another Chicken Gyro from a family take away joint, great value at 4 Euro for a round pita stuffed with meat, lettuce, onions, chips and tzatziki. So stuffed it was time for a siesta before having another fizz in our private jacuzzi.
We have also discovered two brilliant restaurants here in Perissa - God's Garden and the Lava. At God's Garden, which is in a dark side street, Old Nick and Queen Mab had a huge Kleftico plate to share with loads of tender lamb falling off the bone, I had Squid and chips, very nice it was two and with a litre of local wine, coffees and a brandy for me only 51 Euro. There was also a very well behaved dog who slept beneath our table only waking up to be given some left over meat.
At the Lava, which is on the seafront, the owner took us into the kitchen and let us select some stuff to share, so we choose, meatballs and rice, stuffed cherry tomatoes, corn stuffed red peppers, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed vine leaves and aubergine stewed with tomato, onion and capers. Washed down with a litre of house rose we were well stuffed for only 51.80 Euro. It was absolutely delicious.
Now where will our adventures take us next?
