“Greece 🇬🇷 ~Donkey Path to the Sea in Fira, Santorini”

• May 8, 2020
• By Pen n Daryl
• 4 Comments

I made my way down the “donkey path” to the old port. The stone pathway twisted and turned like the rolling sea. The air was so fresh, it was like a babies first breath. The wind was very calm, after a night of tormenting gusts; winds were so strong, the villa shook.   

The blue sea melted into the sky at the horizon. Wispy clouds painted the sky, as I gazed down at the old cave-homes, below. A few boats were crossing the Aegean, with a small wake, pointing towards their future destinations.

The closed restaurants show tortured disrepair, with some in the process of much-needed remodeling; readying for the new tourist season, which has yet, failed to come. 
Donkeys are getting an extended rest, due to the pandemic. The hitching posts they are usually tied up to, are giving way to rust that never sleeps. The shade-cloth that protects the beasts-of-burdens from the hot sun, have grown ragged and tattered.

The steps down the cliff-side,widen at the point where the hitching posts are. From this point on, all the way to the bottom; and to the final destination, the generous steps and walkway yield ample room. This allows a two-way transit for the beast to porter people and goods up and down the stone steps.
Few trees can survive the relentless winds that hammer the island on a regular basis, but the few that are there, are tormented pine trees, clinging to the edge of the steep incline, protected by the overhanging basalt ridge.  Due to the lack of tourist traffic, flowers are growing abundantly in between the cobblestones, allowing them to go to seed. Red Poppies appear between the cracks on the wall.

The sea reaches for me, calling like sirens with their sweet song of “come hither, I have riches for you.” Many a sailor wait at the bottom of the sea, having never seen the promised treasures. The wealth I received was the stamina required to ascend back to our home base.

Stopping at an overlook, I gathered my senses and took in the view. The port stood below me, only a few hundred steps away. I must continue in stages, as the walkway is steep. I gathered my strength to continue, as a small lizard scurried up the face of the stone wall. Its steps were random, in a flowing “S-shaped;” fluid motion. The lizards large belly caused it to get stuck; high-centered, momentarily, as it’s four legs swam in the air, panicking a bit, until one foot finally found purchase. It stopped to look at me, briefly, tilting its head, then quickly disappeared into its hidy-hole.

I took my second rest stop in a cave that overlooked the sea. I am not that tired, but it’s good place to catch my breath, and take advantage of the shelter from the sun. On the way back up, I stopped again at the same overlook, to admire the distance from where I had just come up from. The view was breathtaking. That’s it! It’s the view that was “taking my breath away.” So now, I must continue, before I succumb to the beauty. 

In the distance I heard the bells, then three “angels” came around the corner. I let one of the donkeys talk me into riding the rest of the way up the cliff. I had to, for everyone wants to ride the famous Santorini “donkeys” up from the old harbor. It’s a well-advertised enjoyment, during the normally busy tourist season. I got very lucky, as we haven’t seen any donkeys to ride, since we arrived on the island. Well worth the 10 Euro I paid.

Don’t tell anyone, but the donkeys look a lot like mules. 
For good reason, the donkeys have been relieved of the burden of this trek. The Mules are bigger, and much stronger to be hauling tourists up from the sea. But, all around the island the Donkeys are still advertised.