Mykonos, Greece

We awake and we are just pulling into port, in fact we get clearance prior to our scheduled arrival of 9 am.  Once again we ordered breakfast and it met our needs perfectly.

We are excited to be here.  Last time we were here was two years ago and it was very late in the season and so much was closed.  Actually only a handful of restaurants were open and a few stores and it felt like a waste of time.  We left felling we missed out.  So today we hit the ground running and we were not disappointed.

Our tour today is Mykonos Town and Island Drive for Small Groups.  We meet up in the Casino our designated spot and wait.  The crew member there was very helpful.  She advised that you should arrive only at the time of the ticket.  That when docked the ticket reflects arrival a half hour prior to the tour departure, and 45 minutes prior when in a tender port.

We head ashore and we meet with the others in our group where we meet our tour guide Elena and we board our small bus.  There is 20 people in our group so yes it is a small group but can be still a bit too big.  While walking around it was hard to hear her but it was nice as we were able to board the bus easily and meet up and get into areas that large groups can not.

We head to a beautiful look out with the views of Delos – which at one time was lived on but now all that is there are ruins.  

Our next stop is the beautiful beach of Kalafatis which apparently the rich and famous love.  Yes it is lovely but personally I have seen so many other beautiful beaches but for here this is stunning.  There is a restaurant/bar here but when we go up to order a drink they say sorry they are closed for the season. We stay here for about a half hour.

Back on the bus we are head to the tiny village of Ano Mera in the center of the island where we tour the Panagia Tourliani Monastery which was originally built in 1542 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  We have another half hour here so Bernie and I take a seat and enjoy a light snack and drink.

Our last stop is right back at the town of Mykonos for a walking tour but it is so crowded.  There is another ship in port and it is hard to get around the town.  As Elena leads us to the windmills and we dodge the people and have to back track because of crowds.  It is also getting very hot.  Soon we decide that it is time for us to call it quits.  We have been here before and have done our own walking tour so we don’t feel like we are missing out too much.

We seek out our favorite little bakery again.  I have the name but it is in my pictures so check back later when I upload all the pictures. We each get a coffee and some baklava and honey balls.  Yummy.

where I am standing is where the bus shuttle is - you have to walk all along the harbour.
The far right is the start of the town right near the dock.

On the walk towards town there is this little beach that a few people enjoyed.

We make our way back to where the shuttle pick up is.  Note it is about a kilometer away so take note as no cars are allowed in the town.

Once back on board we rest for a bit and then head off again around 1630 with Ben in tow for some time away from the ship.  

The boat shuttle to town - 2E per person each way - drops you right in town

this is the shuttle boat

We catch the water taxi (2E per person each way) and runs every half hour and it is nice because it drops you off right in the town.  You can also take the ship’s shuttle bus at $10 per person round trip.

Me and Ben

Bernie

We walk around a bit and the lighting is stunning, perfect for pictures.

We stop and decide on a lovely restaurant called Fato a Mano.

We start with cocktails and then some lovely wine.  We share our appetizers of Greek salad, fried feta and pita.  For our main meal Bernie gets some fish and I have mushroom risotto.  All amazing!  They give us a lovely dessert to try that is wonderful and some local liquor that darn I can not remember the name.  Starts with an M, can anyone help me with the name?  

We slowly make our way back to the shuttle boat and we are back on board just before 1930.  Of course when I try my card in the lock it has been demagnetized!  My phone case has a magnet and if I even come close to putting my card to it is demagnetizes.  

So I head back to the elevator bank and as I am waiting these two couples approach and the one woman looks at me and says “I know you…. You are Vickie”  yes I am.  She watched my YouTube videos and reads my blog.  I am always so happy when others recognize me and I love meeting you so if you see me say HI!

The staff at the Purser’s desk are so helpful and quickly get me a new card and even punch it for my lanyard.  

There is a lot going on around the ship but we have been off all day and we are tired and tomorrow is another busy day so we head to bed and this gives me a chance to write my blog and to rest up.

Other things happening on the ship today: Stargazing at center court at 10:30, Vista Lounge is showing the Greek Tycoon, The band Atomic is playing the Atrium, Majority Rules Game, Texas Hold’Em Players Meet, MUTS is showing Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales, 50’s vs 60’s music in Club 6 and so much more.

October 31 – Halloween – Mykonos and More Port Changes

With the change in itinerary we are docking in Mykonos very early and we are here all day and into the evening until 11:30.

They weren’t sure if we would have to tender in or we would dock but we are glad to see we have docked.

Bernie and I wake early and head to the coffee bar around 6 am just when it opens – it is not open 24 hours on the Island Princess.

Still can’t get any internet – so I just write up my blog and will post it later.  Everyone is complaining to the very very patient internet guy.  But it isn’t his fault.   He is so patient with everyone and trust me people want him to know everything, including every device that is brought to him and also their phone plans, which is impossible to know.

We head to the dining room for breakfast and we are sat at a table for two – boy it is quiet in here.  Guess people are not up yet or they are up in Horizon Court.  I enjoy the scramble egg with swiss cheese and asparagus.

Back in the cabin we relax for a few hours before I head out to get some pictures of the area.  The weather seems to be cooperating, but it is very windy.

When I am just about to get back to the cabin the Captain comes on the speakers and wants everyone’s attention.  Oh you know something is up.

This is what he says (cause it comes in the form of a letter later) “I wish to advise you of an additional change to our scheduled itinerary.  We have learned that the towage union has planned strikes in multiple Greek ports for two days next week, which we cause the ports to be closed.  As this would affect our planned call to Piraeus for Athens on Tuesday, Nov 3, we have arranged our port order to avoid the strike.  We will now visit Piraeus on Sunday Nov 1 and move the Santorini to Tuesday November 3.”

So now our itinerary is as follows:

Sunday Nov 1 Piraeus for Athens 7 to 5:45

Monday Nov 2 Kusadasi 8 to 5

Tuesday Nov 3 Santorini 7 to 4

We are good and we can adjust to this change very easily.  One thing about travelling we have learned a long time ago is you have to go with the flow.

We dress and head ashore.  A wind breakers is necessary.

Thanks to my friend Roy who told me about the water boat shuttle for 2 E each way and it takes you right downtown.  

The ship’s shuttle is 7 E each, return, and is via the bus and it doesn’t even drop you off downtown.  You still have quite a distance to walk if you take the ship’s shuttle.  The walk is doable to and we are told it is about 20 minutes.  But we take the boat and the ride is quick and easy.  Thanks Roy!  

Also where the boat drops you off you can take a boat right there to Delos for 20E each total. 

 Once ashore it is very noticeable that many shops are closed.  Sure many of the clothing, jewelry, souvenir shops are open – or I would guess about 50% of them are open.  

Only a handful of restaurants and bars are open, with the majority being closed.  Their season is over and it is very obvious.

We walk along the shore and to the windmills and then up the hill and along the road.  

We walk for about an hour and then travel along the narrow roads and see this little bakery that looks very promising.  A couple of steep steps in and we see this is a very old working bakery.  In fact it has been a family business for 200 years.  

The bakery is called Gioras Wood Baker.  We just place our order when we see Bonnie and Jim come in.  Bonnie searched this place out ahead of time and wanted to stop here.  Too funny!  We enjoy a lovely coffee and baklava and cookie.  Very good.  We also purchased a small bottle of Ouzo for a toast later.

Bonnie and Jim - a Lovely Couple

We walk and walk and stop in some stores but we found it very expensive here and we really don’t want to buy more things for home cause we are trying to get rid of things. 

After about 3 hours ashore we wander back to the boat transfer – buy our tickets and head back to the ship.  

Overall we liked the island but we know we would of loved it if we could of experienced it to it’s fullest.  Heck even if the weather would have been warm it would have been a great beach stop.  Although I know I would hate cruising the busy Mediterranean in the hot summer.  I can’t imagine more than one ship in port and we are not even a big ship.

Back on board for three pm we agree we need some down time and we both pick up our books and read for a long time.  Nothing better than relaxing and reading while on board, and no distractions.

Bernie heads to Trivia and while he is gone John and Karin stop by for a visit.  It is nice to catch up with them again, and we always laugh our heads off when we see them.

Off to the Platinum Elite Lounge – tonight’s drink is the Japanese Slipper and Bernie gets his Cosmo.  Today would have been his Dad’s birthday so we raise our glass in his honour, cheers!

We meet up with Carol and Judy and catch up with them.  The lounge is decorated for Halloween, there is an outline of a body in the carpet, my oh my… scary.  Many of the crew are in costumes (although they have to buy their own).  The ship is decorated all over with cob webs, spiders, rats, pumpkins, ghosts, goblins and grave markers. 

Bernie hands out Halloween chocolates to the crew that are dressed up.  So fun!  We did not bring any type of costume, we thought about it but just didn’t want to buy anything and lug it for just a few hours on one day.

Dinner is up in Horizon Court and they are doing a Mongolia Grill.  You pick the veggies, protein, sauces and then whether you want noodles or rice.  They give you a ticket with a number and they bring it out to you when it is ready.  It was very very good!

Me and Mable

Bernie is so tired, he is tells me he doesn’t want to do anything tonight and so he heads back to the cabin to watch tv – The Shining is showing! I pick up some wine glasses from Crooners from Mabel and return them to the cabin for the wine we have from the wine card.

I then head to the library for some quiet space and the hopes of getting this posted online.  Still can’t get a signal in my cabin.  So please be patient.

Happy Halloween everyone. Great cruise so far, great crew, great ports, and great weather. 

Tomorrow we are in Athens and I am looking forward to it.