Greece Trip #26: Santorini: The Popular Donkeys

The Greek Island of Santorini is really a dormant volcano, and all of the towns are built around the rim of the high Caldera (which I explained in yesterday's blog).  Today we'll tell you about the donkeys because when you visit you'll see their images all over souvenirs. You'll also read how I slipped on their path.

DONKEYS - Because Santorini is a dormant volcano, locals still use donkeys to travel up and down the slope of it, especially in some of the towns along the rim. Donkeys and mules are used as taxis to carry tourists up and down more than 500 steps to the old town of Firá several times a day. Donkeys have been a reliable partner for transporting goods, as well as, the main means of personal transportation around the island for centuries. 

From the backside of our hotel, we could see a farm where donkeys were grazing. 

(Photo: Rob took this pic of a Greek man leading a team of donkeys up the Fira town steps. Credit: RG)

DONKEY FACT - A male Donkey is called a Jack while a female is a Jenny.

DONKEYS ARE SUPER SMART- Donkeys are much more of an all-terrain animal than horses. Donkeys are in fact a highly intelligent animal despite popular misconception. A donkey is stronger than a horse of the same size. Donkeys have an incredible memory – they can recognise areas and other donkeys they were with up to 25 years ago.

DONKEY SOUVENIRS -  In fact, there are many tee shirts and souvenirs with donkeys on them! 

ROB SLIPPED LIKE A DONKEY - We walked into the town with Bill and Bill in the 100F degree heat, and I was feeling pretty bad (because of my asthma) and a bit shaky. So, we stopped in a bar and got something cold (lots of water for me). After that we found a long stone path that goes along the outside of the city and on the rim of the caldera overlooking the steep drop into the flooded volcano. The rocks were slick, because they have been worn down... and I slipped and fell on my butt and my elbow (which hurt for a week afterward!). Right after I got up, local men were herding donkeys up the stone pathway!

(Images: Examples of some of the many donkey souvenirs in Santorini).

NEXT: Visiting Oia City