Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Monday, May 17, 2010

RT - Volcano tour in Santorini

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During our trip to Santorini, we took a boat excursion to Nea Kameni, the most active volcano on the island. The volcano is also known as Caldera and during this three hour visit, we have the chance to walk up the active crater, take photographs and enjoy the surrounding views. I haven't seen an active volcano up close before, so it was a cool experience.

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The weather that day was nice for a day out with clear blue skies and not too hot, with cool sea breeze blowing through.

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As the boat approaches the volcano, you can see piles of black lava stones almost everywhere. There we get off the boat where we've to walk on an uneven, rocky surface to approach the crater of the still active Volcano.

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Obviously, you need comfortable hiking shoes for this trip. I'd recommend not going if you're not in good physical condition as the hike up to the volcano is considered steep, challenging and strenuous.

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From a distance, you can see Thira and Oia on top of the huge cliffs. I was told that the volcano is over 400 years old. It last erupted in 1950 but is set to erupt at any time. It might sound scary but we took our chances and headed to the summit anyway.

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The active crater is actually quite big and there are lots of area to explore and lots of details to observe. There are little wisps of steam emitted from a number of spots though they are not very evident in this picture. In some spots, you'll find that the ground is literally too hot to step on.

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As you walk further up, you can spot the different colour tones of the volcano, as a result of several eruptions.

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I finally reached the highest point after a strenuous 40 minutes hike. Yup, so this is what it’s like to be on a live volcano. What a feeling!

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After getting baked in Nea Kameni, our next stop was Palea Kameni which is the oldest volcano on the island and is known for its stunning hot springs. The boat docked some distance away and a small group of enthusiasts swam towards the hot springs and bathe in the beautifying volcanic mud. It is believed that the hot springs are good for the body and on the bottom of the springs is mud laced with sulphur which is a great skin tonic. Too bad I can't swim but sometimes, it's enough to just watch.

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After a thirty minute halt, the boat brought us back to Fira, its departure point. It was a fabulous way to spend the day and see the other interesting sights of Santorini. This is a pretty challenging journey that we'll treasure for a lifetime.



First Commenter - Mei Teng

46 comments:

  1. Santorini is a beautiful place! :)

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  2. Those boats were amazing too. I'd love to see both of them. Wonderful adventure.

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  3. What? The most active volcano? Goodness. Isn't that dangerous? :(

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  4. The place looks a little barren. No plants or whatsoever greeneries. :/ Must be pretty hot aye?

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  5. Wow...it must be super cool to be super near to an active volcano. Super! :)

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  6. Wow! What a beautiful and exciting place!

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  7. It's great to see a volcano up close and personal! : )

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  8. So you didn't swim at that hot springs? If me too can't swim so too bad!

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  9. But you made it to the top of the volcano! Not bad lah! Definitely a challenging and memorable trip - I like trips like this : )

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  10. A trek to the top of a volcano. How cool!

    The water sure look tempting, but I also cannot swim so if I were there, I'd just others enjoyed their splashing time. :)

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  11. the active crater sounds scary but really interesting too. nice pictures :)

    Tina from
    Mummy Diaries
    Gossip Avenue
    Travel Shack
    Game FreakZ

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  12. The volcano has a rugged appearance - yet the lava is beautiful, too. A delicate red is embedded on the rock. The look of nature, the massive rock seeming devoid of life yet the hot water is life affirming. A lovely vacation and tour of a faraway place!

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  13. I love Santorini!Great post & great blog. I'll be popping back to have yet another read through!
    Happy RT - and look forward to *seeing* you again next time!
    Mine’s HERE!

    LOLA:)

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  14. It's beautiful exploration. I also feel I am with you as you narrated with pictures the adventure you have had. What I knew is that a hot spring from a volcano is good for our health. Thanks for sharing the photos love it!

    Ruby Red Tuesday

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  15. What haunting scenery and good choices for Ruby Tuesday.

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  16. I have never been to the top of an active volcano either! Thanks for taking us along. :)

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  17. Oh yay! Finally we see a glimpse of LR on vacay, woot! ;)

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  18. Awesome pics as always and it looks kinda breezy in the pics..

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  19. Glad to see ur still on vacation mode sweetie, get those posts and pics out before u forget.. .like me... so many pics to post when I just got home from Japan but didn't get around to posting them all lol... :)

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  20. really beautiful place! and I definitely want to hike up that volcano. Great captures!

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  21. What a beautiful place to visit! I can't swim too so I'm fine with sitting in a boat clicking away at those having fun swimming!

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  22. The weather looks perfect for your holiday! The volcano reminded me of the Iceland volcano.

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  23. This is such an adventure! Santorini really looks like a cool place! :) And I love the tiny splashes of red in most photos. Good RT entry!

    My RT entry is here.

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  24. Wow...a memorable trip for you.You are really lucky that you get to experience all these.Amazing photography...great choice for a holiday.

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  25. Looked like a fun adventure. I bet the water was warm. Did the surroundings have a sulfur smell because of the volcano?

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  26. i would want to take a dip in the ot springs too!

    how about your kiddos...did the hike with you there?

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  27. It looks pretty place to visit. happy RT!

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  28. AVCr8teur,

    the smell of sulphur is apparent at some points of the crater. yes, the hot spring water is green and warm and it's the perfect way to relax after the exhausting volcano walk. :)


    Ayie,

    for this big trip, we went on a holiday without my kiddos. we need time away from the kids at times. It keeps the marriage strong and recharged.

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  29. Hey, what an enjoyable and exciting trip.

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  30. a 40 mile hike!! I would have exploded like a volcano ;)

    beautiful photos

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  31. what a great place to visit! Last week we went to a volcano too (mayon volcano of Bicol Region, Philippines).

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  32. Looks like a great adventure. Have to admit that the hot springs part is what appeals most to me, more than the volcano. Your red dragon fruits below are pretty awesome.

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  33. wow amazing! sounds like a fulfilling trip :) thanks for sharing! :)

    u may view mine here

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  34. hi LR! wow u finally reached the highest point and i finally got to see u in one of those pictures woot ;)

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  35. i feel like bathing in the volcanic mud :-P

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  36. Me neither, haven't seen volcano at a close range though we have quite a number of volcanoes in the Ph.
    Oh, my, you don't don't like you're on the highest point there. It looks flat! Maybe I will have the courage to go up there, too. As usual, stunning photos of Santorini.

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  37. Marlene,

    thanks for the compliments.

    that's the highest point of the island formed by the eruption. what does the highest peak supposed to look like anyway?

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  38. Thank you for the beautiful picture experience. Absolutly amazingly beautiful.

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  39. dear life rambler...i saw your comment over at teach mary's and so i thought i would visit you.
    scanning down your blog to find your ruby tuesday was a little slow because i so admired the beautiful blue beach and the marvellous skies and then to see on another post the reflecions of the trees on the windows!
    and to read about the volcano...well here i finally am down here!
    so much ruby reds!..just lovely!
    my favourites are the boats and the one picture of the people sitting in the boat and the refection you caught there!

    anyways i just want to tell you that ruby tuesday may 25th is our good teacher, mary t's birthday!

    from terry southern ontario canada

    ps.you are already in sunday and we are still saturday!

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