A cruise ship leaves the harbour at sunset over the sunken caldera at Santorini October 1976. (Robin Rowland)
Much of the world’s major media have reported that the beautiful Greek island of Santorini is a prime example of overtourism n 2024. That pronoted me to write a memoir of my visit first in 1976 When Santorini was remote, welcoming, and cheap.
For my photography site I have added the photographs from that essay and many more that shows what Santorini was like for a young traveler, with most of the images from 1976 and a few from my return visit in 1981.
The old port of Skala, Santorini. Thera, September 1976.
The old port of Skala, Santorini. Thera, September 1976.
A view of the Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
An old building in Fira, Santorini. Thera, September 1976 (Robin Rowland)
The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
A donkey on the streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
My roommate and I enjoying the best of Santorini, a Greek salad rich in tomatoes and the local Atlantis wine, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)
Santorini’s famous flaming sunsets
Looking out the islands of the caldera and the island of Nea Kamini, in late afternoon Santorini. Thera, September-October 1976. (Robin Rowland)Sunset over the sunken caldera at Santorini October 1976. (Robin Rowland)Boats leave harbour at sunset over the sunken caldera at Santorini October 1976. (Robin Rowland)
The Volcano
Hiking the volcano at Nea Kamini, Santorini. Thera, September-October 1976 (Robin Rowland)
Lava from the volcano at Nea Kamini, Santorini. Thera, September-October 1976 (Robin Rowland)
Sulphur from a volcanic vent at Nea Kamini, Santorini. Thera, September-October 1976 (Robin Rowland)
The trail to the the volcano at Nea Kamini, Santorini. Thera, September-October 1976, It was in that hollow area that I saw discarded Kodak yellow boxes. (Robin Rowland)
The ancient town of Akortiri
Akrotiri ruins Santorini. Thera, September 1976
Akrotiri ruins Santorini. Thera, September 1976Akrotiri ruins Santorini. Thera, September 1976 (Robin Rowland)Akrotiri ruins Santorini. Thera, September 1981Akrotiri ruins Santorini. Thera, September 1981
Scenes of Santorini
A view of the coast of Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)Off the coast of Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)A view of the coast of Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)A view of the coast of Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)A view of the Fira seen from the farmers’ fields on Santorini or Thera, September-October. 1976. (Robin Rowland)Kamari beach Santorini. Thera was not that crowded in September 1976 (Robin Rowland)Grape harvest on Santorini or Thera, September 1981. (Robin Rowland)The streets of Fira on Santorini or Thera, September 1981. (Robin Rowland)A tree in the cliffside of Santorini or Thera, September 1981. (Robin Rowland)
The wine dark sea
Santorini. Thera, September 1976Off the coast of Santorini or Thera, against the wine dark sea September-October. 1981. (Robin Rowland)The setting sun illuminates a church on Santorini or Thera, as the waxing moon rises October. 1976 when I was leaving on a ferry. (Robin Rowland)
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