Mykonos

Mykonos was our last overnight stop along our island hopping escapade, which began two weeks earlier on the large island of Crete. Sad, because there are so many beautiful and interesting islands to see. Two weeks through the Greek Islands simply just does not cover it. However, two weeks is enough to get a taste and have a wonderful experience, so much better than one week or not at all. So we will just have to refer to it as “this trip” indicating it goes on the future journey list for a round two someday.

Probably more accurate than “hopping” would be “floating” through the Greek Islands. While there are flights available, they pretty much all take you back through Athens, so it is generally quicker and cheaper to take the ferry between islands. We arrived at the port of Mykonos by ferry, mid-morning, just a short couple hour ride from the island of Paros (another good one). Our host from Hotel Jason picked us up and brought us to the hotel to get checked in, kindly showing us some sites and making recommendations. (The people that run Hotel Jason are great. Click the link to read our review and see photos). After dropping off our bags in the room and getting some directions we headed for the downtown area.

Mykonos, very popular with tourists for several aspects, is a little more expensive than some of the other islands. We were told Mykonos has an active nightlife scene, therefore in conjunction with its beautiful, historic and picturesque setting, is alluring to multiple age groups. The name alone has a ring to it that beckons to be put on the must see list. In true Greek Island travel-magazine-photo style, Mykonos displays the clean white architecture with contrasting colors, separated by walkways with outlined stone to accentuate the look. Colorful, healthy bougainvillea grow large out of decorative pots and up over restaurant patios like many of the islands. One of Mykonos’ most quintessential landmarks, a row of 16th-20th century windmills look out over its coastline. Who could visit the Greek Islands without seeing these? In the evening, Mykonos was alive and vibrant with interesting shops full of spectacular art, jewelry, clothing, and outdoor cafés.

Speaking of picturesque, we walked along the coastal cafés at the end of the day looking for our spot to watch the sunset. We came upon a couple very formally dressed and affectionate, with a professional photographer taking what must have been wedding or honeymoon photos. Our namesake Miha, being the natural born fun loving and adventurous comedian she is, decided it would be funny and add to their memories if she snuck around behind the wall they were posing in front of, and popped into their picture with a comical gesture. We were having a good laugh just at the notion of it, but how were they going to feel about it? They might not immediately appreciate it, imposing on their romantic moment, while paying a professional for photos. But let’s face it . . . wouldn’t it make for more interesting discussion, more memorable moments and photos to look back on in the future? Wouldn’t they recall their shock and laugh for years to come when they look at that photo? We felt it was a justifiable favor. However in the end she did not, and we created more of our own laughs around the topic discussing how she did not but we could say she did, and continued to embellish the story between us. The would-be fictitious story we never told. Would that couple have kept the photo and laughed about it in the years following? We think so. We are.

Ahhh, it is the things in life you don’t do that you live to regret. On to Athens.

Photos from Mykonos Island: