2010 England & Greece
Mykonos
There were cruise ships docked each day, but the impact was not as strong as it was on Santorini. There were many more shops and restaurants than I remembered from my earlier visits, and it wasn’t just that there were more shops, but the types of shops had changed. There were fewer traditional handcraft stores and more shops geared to the tourist, such as tee shirts and general ‘tourist’ clothing. I can’t put my finger on it exactly. Perhaps it was just less residential. Most hotels I stopped in to see were contemporary, and many would be placed in the luxury category (ditto for Santorini). I stayed in nice hotels in Greece before and the decors were uniquely Greek. Now, these hotels could be almost anywhere. Not once did I see an old woman dressed in black, not here or on Santorini. On a positive note, the increase in commerce has kept a lot of young people on the islands as before they were anxious to leave for better opportunities. These islands are becoming more western/contemporary and are losing the traditional Greek flavor and ambiance I so enjoyed. I guess there are good and bad things about change.
I took a four-hour tour that included a one-hour walking tour of the town followed by a three-hour tour around the island by bus. I enjoyed this as I stayed in Plati Yalos the other times I was on Mykonos when I didn’t venture beyond the beach and town.
One morning I got up early and went to the fish and produce market at the harbor. I stopped several times at the windmills, the Panagia Paraportiani Church and Little Venice.
Paraportiani Church
Paraportiani Church
Little Venice
Harbor gathering
