Mykonos

Our ferry today is the reverse of how we got here except we go back to Mykonos not Athens.

As always Erin has booked a cafe right by the departure area to protect us from the heatwave. We were told today that Greece has experienced its hottest summer heatwave on record, and we are in the midst of it.

It will be about three hours on the ferry, but it is very comfortable, air conditioning and a good place to read a book.

Mykonos is another popular island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. Known for its summer party atmosphere and beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise that have bars that blare thumping music.

At first glance Mykonos looks barren with no vegetation only towns. There are five cruise ships in the port, so we head to our hotel and don’t plan to go near town until all the cruise people go back and leave at dusk.

Our hotel is on the fringe of the CBD which is completely free of cars. Only scooters and pedestrians are allowed downtown.

Our boutique hotel was once a bishop's residence and has been in the family for four generations. We loved it. Rooms are small but the environment is so friendly and welcoming. The pool was a welcome relief from the heat for a while.

At 6pm we all met and walked into the town. What a culture shock. The shopping and restaurants are everywhere but if you look a bit deeper you see Mykonos has a proud history.

Erin explains the streets are all designed in a paving design that once coped with open sewerage. They also painted them with limestone to disinfect. The corners of the houses and balconies are rounded because it is so windy here, it limits the noise of the wind. The houses have a concrete bench out the front which most think is for cushions and for sitting on, but they were originally for getting on and off your donkey.
We walked to the Iconic 16th-century windmills, which sit on a hill above Mykonos town. They crushed grain using the high winds. Across from them is Little Venice where the houses are built up to the water. We walked along the front of restaurants where you can get wet at times.

The port is stunning, we only got a glimpse of the sunset because the cruise ships block the view.

Our restaurant was expensive, but the food was good and with the best view of the harbour. Walking back was an eye opener. The whole town is buzzing, and it is only 10 pm.Read more