Highlights of the Day
We planned to visit Fira and initially struggled with renting a car, but the rental service impressed us by delivering the car directly to us. After a visit to the Prehistoric Museum, we explored Fira, but my husband slipped on wet cobblestones, injuring his ankle. We managed to find a pharmacy and had lunch at a Chinese fast food restaurant. Later, we drove to Red Beach, with its stunning red cliffs, and took a scenic wrong turn, which turned out to be a happy accident. We also found a black sand beach before returning to Oia for another beautiful sunset.
Logistics
Accommodation: ANGEL CAVE HOUSES (highly recommended)
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
Today we planned to visit Fira, the neighboring town. The hotel staff suggested we rent a car, but the rental shop was closed. The phone number listed went unanswered. We decided to take the bus instead. While on the bus, we received a call from the car rental. We told them we were on our way to Fira, and they offered to bring the car there. We were impressed with their service. My husband asked if renting for one and a half days would count as two days. They said it would count as one—another surprise!
Upon arriving in Fira, we visited the Prehistoric Museum while waiting for the car.
After a short wait, the car arrived. A handsome guy handed the keys to my husband and explained how to return the car. My husband asked what to do tomorrow. He said to leave the car at the airport, with the keys inside and the doors unlocked. Just take a photo and send it to him. My husband asked if the car might get stolen. He reassured him, saying the car’s license plate would make it easy to track. It was another pleasant surprise. When my husband asked how he would get back to Oia, the guy pointed to a car nearby and said, “My boss is in that car.” They really went all out to make this rental happen. My husband tipped him, and although surprised, he accepted.
The car was parked on the main street. We asked someone to take a photo of us at a popular spot. We then asked how to get to the cable car station. The cable car takes visitors to Gialos, Fira’s old port. Alternatively, there are 588 stairs to walk. The old port was once the island’s main trading hub, with duty-free shops, restaurants, and even transportation to nearby volcanoes and hot springs in the summer.
We followed the elderly man’s directions, walking down the cobblestone steps, taking photos along the way.
Fira has a beauty that’s different from Oia’s.
Suddenly, I heard my husband scream. He had slipped on the wet cobblestones, which had just been rained on. His left ankle was swollen like a bun. Looking around, we saw only the sea and closed homes. With no help in sight, we continued walking, supporting each other. We passed the cable car station, which was closed, and my husband regretted the fall for an impossible goal. Finally, we reached the main street and went to a pharmacy for antiseptic and bandages. It was lunchtime. Most restaurants were closed, but we found a Chinese fast food restaurant. The food was tasty, and the foreign staff spoke good Chinese.
After lunch, we asked where the nearest taxi stand was. The staff saw my husband limping and called a driver to pick us up at the restaurant. My husband snapped a photo of the driver as a souvenir.
In the afternoon, we toured while my husband drove us to the sights. He waited in the car while we explored.
Our next stop was Red Beach. The road was rough, narrow, and hilly, with sharp turns. It tested the driver’s skill and endurance.
Red Beach was stunning. The cliffs and rocks around it were deep red, the result of black volcanic magnetite minerals oxidizing over time. Red beaches are rare worldwide, so it was a must-see.
Afterward, we realized we had taken the wrong road, as the sign pointed in the opposite direction. We followed the sign this time, and the road was much easier, though the scenery wasn’t as impressive. The wrong turn turned out to be a happy accident.
We took a photo with the red rocks in the background. In millions of years, will the waves turn them into red sand?
Later, we found a small black sand beach, likely another volcanic product.
Another beautiful sunset back in Oia
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