GREECE18_MYKONOS
DAY 1-4 | MYKONOS
DAY 1 | August 30, 18
Our journey to Greece began by driving to Santa Barbara where we left our car at one of Rachel’s friend’s houses. We then took a first time Uber driver’s car over to the train station where we boarded the train whose destination was Union Station. The train ride was so relaxing. We found a four-person seat on the Pacific Surfliner and watched the ocean scenery. When we arrived at Union station we were picked up by Rachel’s friend Christina, local Los Angeles nurse and Emma Stone look alike.
We woke up at 3:30 and took an Uber over to LAX to board our first plane at 7:00 A.M. Rachel and I were not able to sit together for any of our three flights from LAX-->Mykonos but I did sit next to Heather, who worked for UPS and was delivering a ‘secret package’ to Italy for a fashion show. I learned she had one daughter and a boyfriend, was quieter and reserved, yet loved to talk and ask questions.
We arrived in Canada at 4:00 P.M. local time, where we quickly found our next flight and boarded. (Side note: Canadian airport food is super expensive - pistachios were $13!!) The plane to our unfortunate surprise had no movie screens built into the seats or overhead; good thing I was prepared with my own books and movies. I sat next to this amazing girl, Anna from Florida, going to Greece to visit cousins ,who lived an hour away from Athens. She was really fun to talk to; I was thankful that of everyone else on the plane, besides Rachel, I got to sit and chat with her. We talked about everything from family, to travel, to our passions and the meaning of life. She is someonel I would love to be friends and hangout with if she lived in California.
We talked for what must have been around 5 hours (out of our 9/10 hour plane excision), and then watched a movie with Blake Lively (one weird and quirky one). I was excited for an excuse and opportunity to use my dorky, but amazing family style, headphone splitter. After the movie, we tried to sleep but had to move every 15 mins or so due to the small space and body parts going numb. Everything else was pretty smooth, minus the fact that I spilt hot coffee all over myself; whoops.
DAY 2 | August 31, 18
Upon arrival of mainland Greece, we had one last plane to catch; a plane that would take us to the island of Mykonos. That plane ride was quick and easy; less then 45 mins.
When we arrived the air was windy but nice and slightly humid. Surrounded by mountains, the drivers drove fast and seemingly crazy, yet somehow managed not to crash. The roads are narrow but beautiful. White buildings are everywhere as the government prohibits any other type of architecture; however, you do have the freedom to paint the doors and window shutters any color. The symmetry among the buildings is incredible; creating such a scenic experience.
We walked down a concrete/cobblestone path that led to the ocean (about a ten minute walk) and began to explore the town. The water is incredibly clear and turquoise; really an experience in and an of itself. We walked up and down the cobblestone streets in-between the labyrinth of white walls. There are tons of tiny shop owners whose shops are scattered throughout the maze of streets.
The first shop we went into had a sweet old Greek man; he was so friendly and very grandfatherly in nature. He was into the Gods and legends and took plenty of time to explain to us the nature of the ones he loved most. He also took the time to explain a little history behind the Greek language; how even simple words like goodbye or thank you could hold so much meaning. He mentioned that thank you in Greek was meant to leave you with a good feeling of kindness. One thing I love learning from the Greek people I have encountered is how they break down words. Every word has a root meaning and can be broken into pieces for deeper understanding.
For our first Greek dinner we went to Maria's (a traditional Greek place) near the path and relaxed for two hours or so while I enjoyed pizza and Rachel enjoyed a salad.
DAY 3 | September 1, 18
Today we woke up at the crack of dawn; 6:30 A.M. and walked down to a local coffee shop (Coffee Central) where I ordered a latte with honey and Rachel ordered a coffee. To our surprise they were pretty tiny each; so of course we each ordered a second. Needless to say the barista was pretty surprised. The sunrises here are gorgeous. The light seems to have a pinkish tint to it. Surrounded by the countless white houses that are scattered throughout the mountaintops; a romantic feeling permeates the air.
Today Rachel and I did a horse tour at the only horse ranch on the island of Mykonos. The owner picked us up in his Land Rover and drove us further east onto the island; where more of the locals live. There he, and the local wine makers, are known most among the people. As we pull up you begin to see the horses. He has several breeds including Lipizzan (white horses), Greek horses and a black Friesian (huge). As it turns out he had prepared for me to ride the black Friesian named Lilla. Rachel rode our guide Natasha's horse Elsie (after Rachel's first horse almost rode off with her), and Natasha rode a Greek horse named Saya.
We started off down dirt roads mixed with concrete walls and rode down to a dirt/cobblestone type of road that lead through the canyons and trailed next to a water dam. We arrived at Fokos Beach where the horses were able to play in the water and run along the sand. Running Lilla was amazing; she is so big and so fast; like lightning. Natasha says the people call Friesians black pearls, because they are so beautiful and so rare. She told us she was a gymnast most of her younger life and then started riding in college. A friend told her about this job and she jumped at the opportunity. After the beach we headed back along the trail where we sat and enjoyed the view of the mountains and canyons.
Later that day, I decided to continue to explore downtown Mykonos. I ventured from the harbor to Little Venice and lastly to the famous windmills. Earlier, I had learned from the horse owner, that the history behind Mykonos architecture (and it’s famous white houses with multicolored doors) was influenced by the Venetians. He told us what I had suspected, that regulations state that all houses must be white and that only the doors and windows may be other colors. Little Venice is one of Mykonos’ most iconic areas. Tiny restaurants, shops and bars line the waterfront. Historically, ship owners and rich merchants built houses along the sea. Many of these houses had cellars with direct access to the ocean leading many to believe that these owners were, or may have been, pirates themselves. These cellars have now been transformed into modern day restaurants. For more history you can visit, (The History of Little Venice in Mykonos).
Rachel and I had dinner that night at a restaurant called (Nice and Easy) that we found as we walked the Oceanside of Little Venice.
“Nice n easy” group of restaurants have been the pioneers in healthy-gourmet, value for money eating in Greece since 2008, when the first “nice n easy” restaurant opened in Athens, with a name inspired by Frank Sinatra’s legendary song. The restaurant had all the necessities; epic view of the mountainside and the sea, an oceanside table that was literally two feet from the water, romantic ambiance and lastly incredibly tasty pasta later coupled with chocolate ganache.
.
DAY 4 | September 2, 18
Rachel and I got up around 7:00 A.M. and headed for our favorite little café down the street. We once again, met the sunrise with coffee and honey lattes. I later headed down the narrow cobblestone street and into the harbor of downtown Mykonos. There I searched for sea glass I had seen the previous day; there was so much and in so many colors. After packing our bags Rachel and I left for the airport where we caught an express plane back to Athens. (Side note, always take Olympic Airline when doing short flights. We took Skyway Express; they offered us aisle 1 seats A and B. We thought awesome .... front of the plane, emergency exit, and more legroom. To our dismay, it was an old plane, extremely hot and the stewardess was the worst. First, we couldn’t have our bags with us or under the seats because we were in the emergency row. Second, we couldn’t have a jacket unless it was on us. Third, she stole my pillow (tiny and super soft) and told me she had to put it in the overhead bin, however I was allowed to hold my book and water bottle; apparently tiny pillows are dangerous these days. Lastly, she made us take our headphones out and literally sat two feet in front of us, facing us, staring and giving us the stink eye… one of those, this can’t be real life experiences that you are really annoyed but also slightly amused by the unbelievable and over the top nature of it all; and now we know why they were so quick to offer us aisle 1 seats A and B.
We finally landed and took a taxi to our hotel, Hotel Marina. Our first impression of Athens was that it was incredibly hot and that there was lots of graffiti (perhaps it was just where we were). When the cab driver turned to look at us to double check the address of the hotel I was a little skeptical. I wondered where are we going and why does he look so doubtful. Turns out one or two streets can make a world of difference in the way the city feels.
We later met the rest of the travelers and learned a little about the different destinations we would be exploring.