Mykonos
Trip Start
May 30, 2008
1
2
5
Trip End
Jun 16, 2008
Where I stayed
After a six hour ferry from Athens we arrived on the island of Mykonos where we were really looking forward to some r&r. The island is reknowned as a glitzy beach and nightlife destination for all types of people including backpackers, cruise shippers, and Greek tourists. We stayed right in the heart of the action at the Paradise Beach Resort. The beach here is a little different than what we were accustomed to - rather than fine white sand, the beach was small smooth pebbles. The only worry here was the time - just to make sure we turned over every 1/2 hour when laying out in the sun! The beach attracts a lot of Greek trendy types which included perfectly tanned "fabulous" men in tight and tiny boy shorts/speedos. There was some free entertainment too - at the beach club were a few male go-go dancers dressed as women (even with pearls and heels). But something we wished we hadn't seen was fully naked old men and women frolicking on the beach!
After a day at the beach, we would head into town to spend the evening and have dinner. It was everything we imagined the Greek islands to be - a maze of narrow cobblestone alleys lined with white washed buildings decorated with brightly coloured shutters, cafes and bars along the waterfront with sunset views (serving local beer for 7Euros - about $12!!), and all sorts of shops and boutiques selling everything from little trinkets to Rolex watches, with little churches in the midst of all the glitz and glamour.
After a couple of days of fun in the sun and sand, we made a daytrip to the nearby island of Delos, one of the most sacred of the ancient Greek Sites dating back to 800BC. Delos is considered the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and today serves as one of the most important archeological sites in Greece. This was our first lesson in Greek history which is complex and fascinating at the same time. We spent the day wandering among the ruins. Although the size of the city was large, the condition of the ruins weren't preserved too well - we've seen more impressive ruins in the ancient cities of Ephesus (Turkey) and Volubilis (Morocco).
We're a bit disappointed to leave Mykonos because of its amazing atmosphere but we're also excited to move onto Santorini for its beautiful landscape and views.
After a day at the beach, we would head into town to spend the evening and have dinner. It was everything we imagined the Greek islands to be - a maze of narrow cobblestone alleys lined with white washed buildings decorated with brightly coloured shutters, cafes and bars along the waterfront with sunset views (serving local beer for 7Euros - about $12!!), and all sorts of shops and boutiques selling everything from little trinkets to Rolex watches, with little churches in the midst of all the glitz and glamour.
After a couple of days of fun in the sun and sand, we made a daytrip to the nearby island of Delos, one of the most sacred of the ancient Greek Sites dating back to 800BC. Delos is considered the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and today serves as one of the most important archeological sites in Greece. This was our first lesson in Greek history which is complex and fascinating at the same time. We spent the day wandering among the ruins. Although the size of the city was large, the condition of the ruins weren't preserved too well - we've seen more impressive ruins in the ancient cities of Ephesus (Turkey) and Volubilis (Morocco).
We're a bit disappointed to leave Mykonos because of its amazing atmosphere but we're also excited to move onto Santorini for its beautiful landscape and views.

