I’m Greeked out! I am ready to move on. This does not mean I do not like Greece. It just means I have experienced it all for this year and boredom is starting to set in.
My time in Greece was extended from originally planned. I sensed something happening in Greece the first week I was here. I wanted to verify my feelings. My plans were juggled to permit me to extended my Greece time by two weeks. Whatever I wanted to accomplish has been accomplished. In my mind. My thoughts to be shared when I return.
For me, Greece is three islands and Athens.
Athens is pure love. It is one of the world’s great cities. Like New York, Paris, and London. What is there not to like? My return to Athens is for three nights. Then to the Italian alps. A Swiss chalet half way up Mont Blanc. Within an hour’s drive to Switzerland and France.
The three islands I have come to know are Mykonos, Santorini, and Amorgos. Mykonos has the best beaches. Santorini the best view. Amorgos the best wind. Amorgos also has the promise of tomorrow.
I spent two weeks in Mykonos last year. Ten days planned and four extra days because I could not get a ferry boat out due to the bad seas. I did not like Mykonos. Ergo, it was not on the agenda this year.
Mykonos became famous back in the 1950s and 1960s. Movie stars and jet setters popularized the place. It became their playland. 2013 is 50-60 years later. Mykonos still has the reputation. However, there is not a movie star or jet setter on the island. It has become a tourist haven. Wannabes looking for the excitement of yesterday. Additionally, a tourist trap. Merchants hustle everyone. Friendliness lacking.
Therein lie the reasons I did not return to Mykonos this year.
Mykonos does have one non-comparable attribute, however. Its beaches. The best I have ever seen. Soft sand. Quiet water. Great beach bars and restaurants. Plus, topless and nude women. The women merely frosting on the cake. The beaches are that good.
Santorini has a view that is spectacular. Absolutely spectacular! The Lord could not have planned it better. The cave apartments also add to the ambiance. However, you cannot sit on a cave terrace and watch the view all day every day. That is where the problem comes in. After a volcano visit and catamaran trip, there is little to do.
Santorini is becoming a tourist haven. Most merchants on the hustle. Waiters disrespectful. Food not always the best. Prices very expensive. Note however there are still many places and people to the contrary. Such as the Taverna Katina and my cave apartment landlords Nikos and Maria.
Santorini is still good. I fear however it is becoming the tourist trap that Mykonos is.
Amorgos is like a five year old child. On the verge of blooming. It awaits the world.
The island is yet to be discovered. As I have stated in the past, it is a 100 years behind the times. Sitting on the Aegean, waiting for the world to visit it. Prices still dramatically cheap. Anywhere from 50 to 100 per cent cheaper than Mykonos and Santorini. The merchants love you and you love them. They care for you, are thankful for your business, and do their best to please you.
The beaches leave something to be desired. Stoney beaches. Water clear, however. Think Le Grand Bleu.
Amorgos has the wind! A big wind! Kept Katopola where I was staying comfortable all day. A strong cool wind off the sea is almost a necessity of life on a Greek isle in the summer months.
My sense is that Amorgos will be where Santorini is today 20 years from now. Sad. Enjoy it in the meantime.
I spent four hours yesterday morning at the internet store. First correcting my messed up blog from the day before, then doing yesterday’s blog, and finally writing next week’s KONK Life column. The article is interesting. The Real America. It starts with Michael Moore. Then goes from Travon Martin to Obama to Bank of America to the Religious Right to Pat Robertson to Halliburton. The column closes with Weiner and Spitzer. A revealing commentary in many respects. Some things you may not have known.
Lunch was at Mezzo. A chocolate milk shake again. I am a little boy at heart.
Later this afternoon, I start the trek to Athens. Tonight the Plaka. Dinner at the foot of a lighted Acropolis and Parthenon.
I will be in Athens three nights.
The family and I are in touch. Jake is getting car sick. Just from a short ride around town.
Enjoy your day!
Mykonos was featured on the “Keeping up with the Kardashians” this week. Looks like a lovely place to visit. THey are showing endless reruns of the show if you haven’t seen it yet.
Absolutely excellent and concise island summary. I hope to visit Amorgos very soon once retired (3 years). I also suggest in the eastern Caribbean the islands of St. Eustatius (Statia) and Saba. Both Ducth islands and beautiful and way off the tourist track, though divers frequent both due to fantastic rim diving. I spent 2 summers on Statia eons ago while in college in an archaeological field school. I was even “adopted” by the local Rastafarians…made for a great 21st birthday. The story has a Key West “twist” as R. Duncan Mathewson III was there for the underwater archaeology. As I know Lou knows he went on to work with Mel Fischer. Both these islands are still like Amorgos right now….beautiful, safe and non-touristy. Also sort of hard to get too but well worth the effort. If going to Statia check out the “Old Gin House.”
Looking forward to Italy and Athens with you Lou!
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