Mykonos, the legendary party capital of the Aegean, is a lot more than just thumping beats and sweaty gyrations. Although those are certainly in ample supply once the sun goes down.
The first order of the day is to find some grub to fuel what will inevitably be a long night of head pounding, fist pumping, Euro-techno beats.
Speaking of fuel, you can't go wrong with an ice cold Mythos. Need to steel the nerves before dueling a ferocious Medusa? Have a Mythos. Need to toast the vanquishing of Sparta's champion in hand to hand combat? Have a Mythos. Need to try to stay awake past 10pm? Have a Mythos.
Given the lack of arable land on the tiny island, it looks like lamb is going to have to be added to the endangered species list after this feast.
The Hermes Hotel is perched on the hill above Chora, the main town and center of Mykonos. It looks peaceful now, but just wait until the sun goes down.
Pondering the big questions in life: Paradise or Super Paradise club tonight?
Quad bikes are the perfect way to explore the island and enjoy the fresh sea air at the same time. Which you'll have plenty of time to do when Rock inevitably takes the wrong turn.
Either you don't need a driver's license for these machines, or this is a carefully staged propaganda shot for the People's Daily.
Even on a quad you can't escape backseat drivers.
They may not come with a GPS, but when you've got no roof on your vehicle just navigate with your nose: grilled octopus, dead ahead.
Don't spend too much time admiring the scenery, or there won't be any chargrilled fish left when you turn back to your plate.
Warm up the strobe lights ladies and gentlemen, it's party o'clock! In the immortal words of every DJ on the island "Mykonoooooooooos! Boom... boom... boom... boom"
Dragging yourself out of bed after a huge night is made slightly more bearable when the view looks like this.
Looks like someone was using wind power long before it became the eco-cool thing to do.
How come these guys have succeeded in turning their wind farm into a tourist hot spot while Destination Manawatu is still struggling to convince people to trek out to a windswept viewing platform in some godforsaken town called Ashhurst to see theirs?
Might it have something to do with the stunning weather, the azure ocean, and the fresh seafood? Far fetched I know, but just throwing it out there.
Little Venice is a cure for even the worst hangover. If a steaming espresso and the splash of sea spray doesn't wake you up, then you might as well call time on your party career right now.
Prime real estate. No wonder those pesky Trojans were always trying to sneak their way in. Why bother with auctions when you can construct a gigantic wooden horse?
Always follow the locals to find a good coffee.
There's nothing wrong with being short, but when you're being stood up by a bird it might be time to consider a pair of heels.
If this is what bankruptcy looks like, sign me up.
On second thought, no need to sign Rock up, with so many cool boutiques lining the narrow streets, Mei's already taken care of that.
You just can't escape them. We mean the whitewashed walls of course.
A rebellious home owner has decided to thumb her nose at the official blue and white color scheme.
It may look picturesque, but there's probably an underground techno disco hidden in there.
It is possible, however unlikely, that there is an island other than Manhattan that is worth spending time on.
It's quite easy to get lost in the twisting white maze. Fortunately, unlike most mazes, this one tends to have gyro shops at its dead ends.
Time to saddle up the quad bike again for an excursion to the outer reaches of the island.
It doesn't get any better than this. Perched above a turquoise bay in the middle of nowhere is a tiny grilled fish outpost. It may not have bag full of Michelin stars - heck it doesn't even have electricity - but what it does have is a simple wood-fired grill that cranks out some of the best grilled produce you'll ever taste.
No need to ask for a window table, every seat in the house has stunning views of the tranquil bay below, and more importantly the juicy grilled pork chop above.
After a meal like that, we might need more than four wheels each to get the crew back home.
Another spectacular sunset over the Aegean can only mean one thing. Get your dancing shoes on.
Once the sticky heat of the day gives way to the cool evening sea breeze, it's time to head back into town for a hearty meal before the night's festivities.
Like most European cities, after dark is when things get going. Shops and cheery tavernas throw open their doors, and boisterous patrons spill out into the night, Mythos in hand.
Anyone feel like a bit of midnight fishing? Rock sure does, but only if it involves fishing for shrimp among a sea of linguine.
Niko's Taverna has been a local institution forever. The country may be bankrupt, but judging by the line to get in, Papa Niko is doing just fine. Especially since he doesn't bother to pay any taxes.
Another infamous local is the Scandinavian Bar. A weird name for a bar on a Mediterranean island, but with clientele like these the name is the least of their worries.
Mykonoooooos! Boom... boom... boom... boom!
Party like you're going bankrupt tomorrow! Or tonight, depending on how many shots you buy.
Back in recovery mode.
So that's why they put French fries in their gyros: to soak up the leftover alcohol. Next stop, the volcanic caldera of Santorini.
No comments:
Post a Comment