After a very good breakfast we jumped on a beaten up bus to Mykonos Town, known by the locals as Chora. Apparently the word means primary or main.
The bus dropped us off at a chaotic area that operates as the bus station. We headed to the first of the tourist attractions of Chora, the five windmills. These five old windmills have thatched roofs and no means of turning to face the wind. You can’t go in any of them so that is disappointing. The excellent view from the headland where the windmills stand allows you to see the cruise ships in port and the ferries as they arrive and depart.
Once we had finished looking out over the Med we headed towards the next tourist attraction, an ancient church. We wended our way through the narrow white washed streets with their blue doors and window frames. The place would have more charm if fewer people hadn’t made walking so difficult. Several times we stood while a group of 30 odd Americans followed their tour guide blocking anyone trying to move in the opposite direction.
We eventually reached the ancient white washed church but again you’re not allowed inside. Looking at four white walls has never inspired me and we moved quickly on.
Having visited the 2 most popular sites and fought out was through the narrow streets we descended to the old port. While standing on the quay we briefly chatted to 2 Canadians who had just disembarked from one of the cruise ships and were part of the American invasion of the town.
They had toured the eastern med from Trieste southward. Their biggest complaint was the inability to stay ashore in the evening and not see any of the nightlife. I don’t know what sort of adventure they were looking for because at the same time they said it was a holiday that suited their older age. They looked younger than us.
All four of decided we needed a coffee but would prefer to leave the really busy tourist traps. We headed up the hill knowing that the majority of Americans would never make the effort. Unfortunately we couldn’t find a cafe on the heights but did take a brief break in a pink topped church that cooled us down. Mark particularly needed the respite as the sweat dripped off his face.
We wandered down to the more touristy area again and found a quiet restaurant and bar where we ordered cafe fredo, iced coffee in American parlance.
We then decided to return to Gialos Beach where our hotel stands and have lunch in the same place we ate yesterday. We arrived at the bus station a few minutes after 12:30 the departure time. The ticket seller assured us that the next bus departed at 1pm. Unfortunately she hadn’t consulted the driver and we left at 1:30.
A very good lunch with the same waiters as yesterday. We ordered too much but enjoyed it all.
Back to the hotel where I managed to have a small snooze beside the pool and then the journey to the airport.
Everything ran smoothly but it is all very tedious.