Office of Marine Programs
University of Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Campus
Narragansett, RI 02882-1197
Phone: 401-874-6211
Fax: 401-874-6486
Email: OMP@gso.uri.edu
Thera Expedition
Teacher: Kathleen
Podraza
Date: Monday, May 2, 2006
May 2, 2006
Leaving the R/V Endeavor at the end of our part of the expedition was bitter sweet; saying good bye always is. We boarded the fast ferry, "The Cat" and entered its sleek decks to find comfortable chairs and wide windows for our last views of the harbor city of Heraklion.
Ahead of us was a different view of the Sea of Crete and after about two hours, the first views of Santorini (Thera), Greece.
The views as we entered the caldera of Santorini were so spectacular, I had to not take pictures, but simply soak up as much of the visual splendor as I could possibly hold. All the pictures I had seen previously could not have prepared me for what was being seen with the naked eye.
Once we were settled into our hotel, the walk through the town of Thera was a feast for the eyes. My pictures will have to do for now, but here is a website of Santorini that you might enjoy: http://www.photoseek.com/greece/SantoriniCrete.html.
It was a very quick visit to this beautiful island with wonderful shops, cafes, and views of the caldera. The next morning will come too quickly at 4:30 AM for the flight from Santorini to Athens. A four hour lay-over in Athens and then onto Paris and Boston and home.
This was a trip to be remembered for a long, long time. I encourage every educator that might be interested in taking time away to experience an adventure that will give you a wealth of material to share with your students to apply for the Rhode Island Teacher At Sea Program. You don't have to be a science or mathematics teacher. Art, music, special education, and other specialists are eligible for this program. If you would like more information, please click on the link below or write me a note. Thank you to all who have followed this journey with me…and Freddy, the teddy.
Podrazak@bw.k12.ri.us (Kathleen's Email)
