Mykonos- An isle of splendor and parties!
Our time in Mykonos can be summed up as amazing. Greece is such a wonderful place! The people are warm and the sights are great. We arrived on Mykonos via ferry, which unbeknownst to us until we boarded, we were booked in first class. The ride was great and we watched out the window as we passed other islands sitting in the dark blue Aegean sea, as we made our way from Athens. We even got wi-fi on the boat (for a small surcharge of course). After arriving, there was a swarm of locals who were waving signs for places to stay, and we had to find the one we had a reservation at. Ours was called, “Paradise Resort” and we got onto the Paradise bus with other people from a selection of countries. We had reserved a small bungalow for two, within 100 meters (already we are used to referring to distances as the locals do) of the beach. The place had a few bars, restaurants, and an ATV rental place. It was pretty cool, but did remind us a bit of a Mexican resort/beach bar.
We spent our time in Mykonos well, renting an ATV and driving around the small island. There are only like 15 roads, so it is hard to get lost there. We stopped by a few family run “tavernas” alongside the road for snacks and meals, and went into town to shop for cheap supplies and use the internet. The island was pretty amazing, as it was covered with small blue trimmed white houses, low rock walls containing goats and sheep, and small shops and restaurants. The views of the oceans, cliffs, and valleys from each part of the island were beautiful. We spent most of our time riding around, or sitting by the beach under a thatch umbrella, drinking a cold beer or two and eating gyros, which is the hamburger or taco of Greece. They are cheap and tasty, and the locals put French fries on them. Boy, did we eat a lot of Gyros! They also call them Soulvaki here.
At one point, we came across an interesting little park by the side of the road. We pulled over the ATV and hopped off, to scout around. This little park was absolutely covered in concrete statues of all shapes and sizes. There were copies of the David, the Katarina’s from the Acropolis, rows of colonnades, bird baths, flower beds, and all sorts of others. Apparently, it was actually someone’s land, and not a park, but it was interesting and awesome all the same.
Another time, we were out looking for some breakfast, and came across a small restaurant in town. We had been looking for a good “American Style” breakfast all over Europe, but eggs are SOOO expensive everywhere. We once again were expecting to be disappointed, but to our surprise, there was a special on a Greek omelet! So that morning we had eggs with Feta cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers and Oregano. Another of our favorite restaurants was a local place owned by a man and his wife, Andreas and Maria, called the “Andreas and Maria Taverna.” The food was spectacular, especially the fried zucchini and tzatziki, with low prices and great service. Another thing, every time we have a nice meal in Greece, we always get presented with a shot of local liquor for dessert. Not all the same type of liquor even, each is made from a select tree, flower, or some other plant grown only locally on some island. It’s a very interesting experience and good for digestion.
A last thing we noticed is that apparently, Greece is very ok with stray animals. In Athens, we saw a lot of stray dogs, and here on Mykonos, we have seen a number of stray cats. They are viewed more like communal pets than strays. These animals are not mistreated. Many of the locals feed, water, and take care of them. They are all very nice and pleasant, and at times come sit by your table while you eat, not necessarily begging, but open to you “throwing them a bone.”
All in all, Mykonos was a great start to our island hopping adventure. This was a really nice relaxation stop for us, and we enjoyed soaking up the sun and living the laid back lifestyle of a Greek Islander for a few days.
Well, that’s all from us for now, as usual enjoy the pictures!!!
Our Ferry from Athens. 
Eric and Laura on the Ferry. Classy place, huh?
Eric onboard the bus to Paradise!
A picture of Mykonos harbor.
Eric and Laura grabbing a beer on the beach.
Eric on "Super Paradise" beach.
A sailboat in Mykonos Harbor. We took this picture from the ATV!
One of the famous "Windmills of Mykonos"
Laura on the ATV.
A stunning view, including a chapel, Hora (the capital of Mykonos), and the bay.
Breakfast on the beach!
Eric and Laura at Paradise Beach Resort
Eric on the ATV in front of the Sculpture Park.
Eric on the beach in front of an old boat.
Laura eating one of the best Gyros in Greece.
Laura with her game face on. This is just outside of Andreas and Maria's Taverna.
We spent our time in Mykonos well, renting an ATV and driving around the small island. There are only like 15 roads, so it is hard to get lost there. We stopped by a few family run “tavernas” alongside the road for snacks and meals, and went into town to shop for cheap supplies and use the internet. The island was pretty amazing, as it was covered with small blue trimmed white houses, low rock walls containing goats and sheep, and small shops and restaurants. The views of the oceans, cliffs, and valleys from each part of the island were beautiful. We spent most of our time riding around, or sitting by the beach under a thatch umbrella, drinking a cold beer or two and eating gyros, which is the hamburger or taco of Greece. They are cheap and tasty, and the locals put French fries on them. Boy, did we eat a lot of Gyros! They also call them Soulvaki here.
At one point, we came across an interesting little park by the side of the road. We pulled over the ATV and hopped off, to scout around. This little park was absolutely covered in concrete statues of all shapes and sizes. There were copies of the David, the Katarina’s from the Acropolis, rows of colonnades, bird baths, flower beds, and all sorts of others. Apparently, it was actually someone’s land, and not a park, but it was interesting and awesome all the same.
Another time, we were out looking for some breakfast, and came across a small restaurant in town. We had been looking for a good “American Style” breakfast all over Europe, but eggs are SOOO expensive everywhere. We once again were expecting to be disappointed, but to our surprise, there was a special on a Greek omelet! So that morning we had eggs with Feta cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers and Oregano. Another of our favorite restaurants was a local place owned by a man and his wife, Andreas and Maria, called the “Andreas and Maria Taverna.” The food was spectacular, especially the fried zucchini and tzatziki, with low prices and great service. Another thing, every time we have a nice meal in Greece, we always get presented with a shot of local liquor for dessert. Not all the same type of liquor even, each is made from a select tree, flower, or some other plant grown only locally on some island. It’s a very interesting experience and good for digestion.
A last thing we noticed is that apparently, Greece is very ok with stray animals. In Athens, we saw a lot of stray dogs, and here on Mykonos, we have seen a number of stray cats. They are viewed more like communal pets than strays. These animals are not mistreated. Many of the locals feed, water, and take care of them. They are all very nice and pleasant, and at times come sit by your table while you eat, not necessarily begging, but open to you “throwing them a bone.”
All in all, Mykonos was a great start to our island hopping adventure. This was a really nice relaxation stop for us, and we enjoyed soaking up the sun and living the laid back lifestyle of a Greek Islander for a few days.
Well, that’s all from us for now, as usual enjoy the pictures!!!
Our Ferry from Athens. Eric and Laura on the Ferry. Classy place, huh?
Eric onboard the bus to Paradise!
A picture of Mykonos harbor.
Eric and Laura grabbing a beer on the beach.
Eric on "Super Paradise" beach.
A sailboat in Mykonos Harbor. We took this picture from the ATV!
One of the famous "Windmills of Mykonos"
Laura on the ATV.
A stunning view, including a chapel, Hora (the capital of Mykonos), and the bay.
Breakfast on the beach!
Eric on the ATV in front of the Sculpture Park.
Eric on the beach in front of an old boat.
Laura eating one of the best Gyros in Greece.
Laura with her game face on. This is just outside of Andreas and Maria's Taverna.
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