Mesmerizing Mykonos (Chora)
Mykonos owes its name to the son of the king of Delos, Mykonos. According to mythology, Hercules, in one of his twelve tasks, was fighting the Giants and, having killed them he threw them in the sea where they petrified and turned into huge rocks, forming the island of Mykonos. Mykonos is in the shadow of the prosperous and spiritual neighboring island Delos, where Leto was believed to have given birth to God Apollo and goddess Artemis.
Mykonos is a turquoise gem in the Mediterranean that brings on the blush and the magic. It is an intimate and languid island town that is famed for its beautiful beaches and iconic windmills, bars and bustling nightlife! At morn, the brilliant sunlight hits the clear waters and breaks into a million sparkles in the Aegean.
We took the Sea jet from Athens to reach Mykonos. The cabbie dropped us at the port, well in advance of the appointed hour. We watched the port wake up to the crack of dawn. Coffee shops rolled up their shutters as the flush of colour appeared on the horizon and we bought a cuppa to keep the chill away. Travel agents opened their offices as they shouted out ‘Kalimera’ to no one in particular. The stillness of the night gave way to the hustle of the day. Travelers came lugging their bags on wheels. Ships ambled to the quay from their anchorage and got ready to pick up the travelers and carry them into the beautiful Aegean. Before long, it was our turn to board the sea jet.
True to its name, the sea jet zipped through the sea with power and speed. It was an exciting and thrilling sail. Handsome couples in leather jackets and helmets had boarded the jet with their bikes and cars to disembark and cruise the islands. Holiday spirit saturated the air.
By mistake, we disembarked at Delos. Naturally, we did not find our host in the crowd that was waiting to pick up their guests. After about 10 minutes of searching, we realized our error, and looked back to see the jet had just begun closing its huge gate. We waved out to them and made a dash through the slippery quay. Mercifully, they spotted us and waited till we got in, once again! Breathless, but relieved to have made it. Hollywood style. Phew!
I fell in love with Mykonos at first glance. The gusty breeze blows into the island unhindered, sweeping the vast expanse of the the sea. It conjures up images of Greek heroes and goddesses. The sea draws you into its mystical transparent depths; fluid shades of turquoise blue and green playing hide and seek. The island has terraced, undulating hills and slopes dotted with cute, white Venetian-style houses with wooden balconies overhanging the cliffs and the sea, with the most picturesque view. The road that snakes through the island in blinds and bends has colorful burst of bougainvilleas and roses along the way. One can hire a four wheeled bike and roar on it to heart’s content!
We stayed close to little Venice. It is one of the most romantic hangout, replete with elegant old houses, situated precariously at the edge of the sea. A maze of narrow lanes weave in and out of the front yard of these edifices. Restaurants go out into the sea on wooden barges and one can spend hours gazing into the endless expanse, in the company of strangers, who are united in the spell of the sea.
Hours fly by, as one sips on the tipple and enjoys the gust of the briny breeze. We walked along the sea front, mesmerized by the clear waters, revealing colorful pebbles and fishes darting around in bursts of energy. The nonchalant aura whispers one to shed inhibitions and surrender to the seduction of the waves, crashing in gentle froth and rhythm at the rocky seafront. It kindles emotions smoldering beneath the embers and envelops one in a surreal experience.
This is one place I would like to visit again and again, for its quiet charm and queer connection to the sea.
Artists settle on the seafront with their canvas and easel capturing the hues of the magnetic beauty. We hung out every evening at little Venice. Sipped on wine, nibbled on olives and dug into the quintessential Mussaka. We explored the narrow cobbled lanes, where the most expensive brands were housed in the humble stone houses, and most corners opened into the yard of a church. Little Venice is called so because it closely resembles Venice in Italy. It was a popular port on the route between Asia and Europe and used to bustle with trade, particularly by Venetian seafarers. The quaint history and culture has survived through the centuries and transports discerning travelers back into those exotic times.
We were fortunate to witness the local community celebration. Their song, music and dance on the plaka of little Venice perfectly complimented the glorious sunset, which splashed riotous colours across the celestial canvas. The windmills lumbered in the conspiring evening breeze. Conspiring to bring strangers together in a strange bond. Soft conversations hovered over tinkling glasses and smoky dishes.
People exchanged happy vibes and time stood still, locked in memory forever! Bars and nightclubs rocked behind little doors of green and red. We pulsed together as an heart beat and wished that the night would go on….
I came back with a lovely silver bracelet, which has an anchor and the Mykonos blue engraved on it, as a reminder of my gorgeous rendezvous.
