Mykonos

Monday 16 June
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The beginning of our second week in Greece and a very early start to the day.  We were packed , fed and transported to Piraeus (the port in Athens) for a 7 am departure on the ferry to Mykonos - a lovely sunny morning with the port already busy and gigantic cruise ships wallowing at the piers.  They are truly ugly monsters holding no appeal at all.   Only 11 of our original tour party took the island hopping option so it was easy for Lisa to keep track of us and our luggage on the crowded ferry.  The ferry was very comfortable and sped through the glassy waters very smoothly, stopping briefly en route at the island of Tinos.
Our first view of Mykonos gave the impression of a large, hilly brown landscape dotted with white buildings.  Sailing into the New Port we could see the town of Mykonos spread around a wide bay and looking very pretty under seriously blue skies.

First view of Mykonos Town from the ferry

Our transfer bus drove across the top of the town, past several bays and then down a short steep driveway to deposit us at the entrance of the St John Hotel and Resort.  We were ushered into the lobby and out onto a large covered balcony where the splendour of the location was revealed, leaving us gasping and very excited.  The resort tumbles down the hillside to a small beach and guests can either walk the stairways between groups of low rise villas housing hotel rooms or be driven in electric cars to their accommodation.  On the lowest level, before the steps down to the beach is a gorgeous complex of pools, restaurants and sunlounging areas.  The gardens that surround the buildings are filled with olive trees, oleanders, and lots of flowers.
 Caroline and I were thrilled with our room - a beautiful bathroom/ dressing room, a quiet twin bedded sleeping area, then through an archway a very comfortable and well furnished living space with French doors opening onto a huge terrace.  What a place - and of course views to the sea.  We were midway down the hill but with great access to the pool area which is where we headed immediately to wait for Jessica.  Jess had flown to Mykonos from London the night before and was staying at a little hotel in the middle of Mykonos Town.  She joined us for our week on the islands - great to see her again.

Enjoying the pool, St John Resort, Mykonos

After a lovely afternoon by the pool we met Lisa and caught the local bus to the town (about 15 minutes) for a walking tour, beginning with the famous row of windmills which overlook the "Little Venice" area and down through the narrow streets filled with restaurants, shops and pretty houses. It was fun to meet some of our former travelling companions whose small cruise ship was anchored at the port.

Little Venice, Mykonos Town

Windmills overlooking Mykonos Town

Once out of sight of the water the town can be very confusing - a jumble of little white walled lanes that twist and turn and all look the same!  Eventually we emerged at the Old Port and received our instructions about bus/taxi transport back to the hotel.

Landscape, Mykonos

We opted to return to the hotel and eat in the lovely restaurant above the pool, enjoying the sunset and views across the sea to the island of Delos.  What a place - I think I will stay forever!

Caroline and Jessica - sunset views, St John Resort Mykonos

Tuesday 17 June
Nothing organised for today so we were free to do as we wished.   Deciding that we were already in one of the nicest places on the island so we ambled down to a scrumptious breakfast and installed ourselves on sunbeds by the pool.

View from our room - St John Resort, Mykonos

It was lovely to relax, swim and sunbathe after a very full schedule of travelling in Greece. We have made some super friends on the tour so it is good to hang out with them as well.  Later in the day a couple of our tour mates who had been taking buses all around the island told us that they considered our beach at Aghios Ioannes the best on the island.

Sunset view of the beach at St John Resort

  After a nice lazy morning we caught the bus to town and embarked upon some shopping.

Jessica - shopping in Mykonos Town

 Mykonos caters for everyone, from back-packers to billionaires on super yachts and the stores are similarly diverse. We did well at a mid-price boutique which was having a sale and then wandered down  to the old port for coffee.

Coffee break - Old Port, Mykonos Town

We also called by at Hotel Pinelopi where Jess is staying - a very pretty little hotel with a gorgeous courtyard garden right in the centre of Mykonos Town - very handy for staying out late at night!

Caroline and Jessica, Hotel Pinelopi, Mykonos Town

 The lure of the St John Resort was eventually too much for us so we were soon back to the poolside.  Tonight Caroline and Jessica sampled the night life and stayed in the town at Jessica's hotel.  I was more than happy to laze about at St John.  The sunsets are gorgeous - the resort faces west so we get the full benefit of the beautiful display.

Jessica - seeing the sights of Mykonos

Wednesday 18 June
Another stunning day on Mykonos and another opportunity to spend the day by the pool and on the beach.  The wait staff keep us well supplied with food and drink and the whole experience is totally relaxing.  Mykonos Town is a bit crazy with tourists - so many cruise ships dock here!

St John Resort, Aghios Ioannes, Mykonos

 Late in the afternoon we met up with our tour party and caught the bus to town where we boarded the ferry for an escorted visit to the island of Delos, just 30 minutes away.  Delos is one of the most scared of the ancient sites of Greece and the ruins of the city are very extensive, covering the shoreline and hillsides.

Delos ruins

Here we learnt a lot more about the ancient Greek civilisation and the way that the myths and legends are intertwined with human history.  The streets and buildings that remain demonstrate the sophisticated nature of the society.

Delos

 Of course the most famous statues are the Delos lions - replicas stand outdoors and the originals are in various museums, including the small one on the island, where they are protected from the elements,

Lions of Delos

The island is a rather dismal place in reality - very rocky and brown and of course now uninhabited apart from the rangers who stay to protect the place.

Rocky Delos - from the ferry

On our return to Mykonos we headed to a restaurant recommended by Lisa which is situated in a pretty square overhung with bougainvillea and olive trees. The sun was going down and the port looked very pretty in the evening light.

Evening light - Jessica at Mykonos Old Port

The food was excellent and we enjoyed the local wine as well. The town was humming with World Cup  football supporters - Australia playing tonight but unfortunately no luck there!

Dinner time - Mykonos Town

 It was a bit of a wait in a queue for a taxi back to St John but we thoroughly enjoyed our last evening on the island.

Evening at Mykonos Old Port