The first time I stepped onto the island of Mykonos, I instantly fell in love with the place. As we lugged our suitcases through the narrow, winding lanes towards our hotel, I was already imagining posing for the hundreds of photographs that my mother would be taking of me later. We wasted no time getting ready and headed out to explore the old town of Mykonos which is only accessible by foot. The afternoon passed quickly as we marveled at the exquisite products in jewelry showrooms and designer stores and stopped at eateries occasionally to buy a slice of pizza or a scoop of gelato.
At the end of the shopping lane, we came across a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea which was sparkling under the bright rays of the sun. I felt like I had stepped into another world as I encountered the smell of the sea and the occasional spray from the waves that lapped against the shore, all set to the strains of a violin being played at a nearby bar.
We made our way across a precarious passage to get to the beach from where we had our first glimpse of Little Venice – a neighbourhood of elegant houses situated on the edge of the sea. Many of these old houses have now been converted to bistros, cafés, and chic bars, which offer people the unique experience of enjoying a meal or a glass of wine before the vast expanse of the azure sea.
We then made our way up a small hill to visit the famous Mykonos windmills from where we had a panoramic view of ships sailing along the distant horizon. After buying souvenirs to commemorate our visit to the island, we settled down at the beach to watch the sunset. Trust me when I say that it was an ethereal experience.
The setting sun had enveloped the entire island in a warm hue that quickly faded into the darkness of the night. The nightlife in Mykonos cannot be compared to any other city – bars, clubs, and discos were full of people partying into the early hours of the morning. Grabbing drinks at a club in Little Venice was the perfect way to unwind after a tiring day.
The next morning, we took a bus to Paradise Beach, a popular destination among tourists. It is dotted with multiple bars and restaurants that face clear aqua waters. Upon returning to our hotel, we all agreed that we had to revisit Little Venice since it was our last night in Mykonos. However, this time we were in for a surprise. The previous evening had been relatively calm and peaceful but on the next day the winds were harsh and the waves were extremely powerful.
The restaurants were empty as the water was splashing onto the tables by the sea. We could barely walk past the passage to the shore due to the height of the waves. If I had thought that the view last evening was great, this was even better. The vibrant colour of the sky, the picturesque view of a cruise ship behind the buildings of Little Venice and the waves crashing onto the rocky shore made me experience a plethora of emotions.
It was strange to imagine that I was sitting on the beach and watching the sun set over the island along with hundreds of other travellers from around the world. It was a bittersweet moment, for all I could think about was my impending departure the next morning. Was it possible to have a feeling of familiarity in a place that was three thousand miles away from home? Although I had only been there for two days, it felt like it had been much longer. The sun had set over my Mykonos adventure but I was already looking forward to my next visit to the beautiful island that had captured my heart.
2 Comments
This is a great read! We are heading to mykonos today for 3 nights and I can’t wait to see little Venice!
That’s great to hear! Do tell us about your trip.