Knotaklu: Sailing The Greek Islands #2

After Delos we motored across the channel to Mykonos and anchored in the bay just south of the the island's town center. Along the way Taran had baked this large chocolate chip dish which smelled so good but then seemed to vanish. I assumed he was saving it for snacks the next day since he and Kara were leaving us for a while to go the another island. Shortly after dinner out came the cookie with candles burning on top that Mona had smuggled aboard. It was in celebration of my 66th birthday. I had a great time playing new games and enjoying everyone's company. It was one of the best birthdays ever! How can you beat exploring ancient ruins, and then being anchored on a sailboat in the middle of the Greek Islands on you birthday?

The next day we tied up in the town harbor and walked around the town. Periodically there are these wind mills used for making olive oil and possibly grinding grain. It didn't look like they could rotate for changing wind direction. Throughout the islands we saw these, all were facing the same direction, the direction of the prevailing wind.

This was the first town we really got to explore. All the towns in the islands are comprised of these narrow walkways, no streets. Near the ports the lower levels of the buildings were shops with housing above. As you went up the hills they transitioned to all residences with a few small hotels intermingled. Pat and Mona loved it! A different shop every few feet and colorful building all around.

They even had a Ben and Jerry's! In all of towns we visited, this was the only shop with any kind of USA trademark. Everything else was small Mom and Pop operations.

Mykonos has two harbors. This is the small boat harbor next to town. The other is larger and used mainly for ferries and larger commercial boats.

From Mykonos we made a rather lengthy crossing to Paros. About half way across the wind actually died and we had calm seas. We were even blessed by a pod of dolphins that frolicked around the bow of the boat. Since I was running the boat at the time I didn't get any picture although Tyga got some good ones.

We anchored that evening off this wonderful Paros Island beach and since it was warm several of us jumped in. I was amazed at just how clear and warm the water was. I even paddle board for the fist time although the picture is of Mikey and Tyga heading off around the point.

That evening I managed to get this picture of the sunset with the fishing pole off the back of the boat. I didn't expect it to turn out since I was using my small camera. I didn't bring the big camera and lenses. The little camera did surprising well.

The next stop, Naxos. Chris had made reservations for the "Older Generation" to stay at this small resort villa a short distance from town. This is the view from Mona and my deck. That's the town center and the marina off in the distance. The villa came with a rental car and a made to order breakfast. The breakfast was to die for! We all pretty much stuffed ourselves. It was so good! And, since we were at the very end of the tourist season, we were one of only two guests, the other being a young family from France. The only drawback is it was too cold to take advantage of the pool.

We took advantage of the car though to drive around the island. This was another fabulous beach we came across. That evening we ate at this little cafe not far from the villa. It was next to the beach and only one of two that were open. As we drove by, the clientele already eating waved us in saying it was a good place to eat. As we walked in, the owner/chef, a slightly overweight, older, Greek woman came out and took us into the kitchen. She then proceeded to show us the 4 or 5 dishes she had made for dinner. No menu. Just this. And it was of course, great. I must admit though, I never quite got used to the Greek custom of going to dinner at 8pm or later.

This is a hotel that never got built. One of several on the island. In fact the island is peppered with unfinished vacation homes There must have been a lot of speculating going on at the time the Greek economy crashed a few years ago.

One of the island's towns, Chalki, had this trail that went around the outskirts of the town past some of the older structures.

Isn't this a great door!

Our main reason for hiking this to see this church, Agios Georgios Diasoritis which is an important example of Byzantine heritage. It is unclear when it was built and apparently the interior is nice. Unfortunately, it was all locked up when we were there.

This is an example of the terrain around the island. Notice the terracing and like everywhere else on the island one or two churches are always in view. You have to wonder how they support all these little churches.

This is an unfinished statue near the town of Apollonas. Apparently it was suppose to be a statue of Apollo and was to be transported to Delos in ancient times. The speculation is that the marble was inferior and cracking so the statue was abandoned.