Today is a mellow day. We have docked at Mykonos, one of the Greek islands we have visited previously. When we visited Mykonos five years ago, it was during an awful rainstorm with strong, cold winds forcing us to walk around briefly and basically hide from the elements.
As always, the breakfast buffet is a delight. If you have been studying these breakfast shots, you would note that after a brief period of self-indulgence we are returning to eggs and fruit.
How is that for a disembarkment photo?
We hopped onto busses for the five minute ride to just outside of town.
As we walked into town, I snapped this picture of what is clearly the kind of ideal vacation home one imagines staying in during a visit to Mykonos. It is cold and windy today. When we visited here five years ago it was cold and windy and raining. The lack of rain marks an improvement.
Meta-picture!
Here we are with the suburbs of Mykonos behind us. The town and main port is in front of us.
The main town, normally called Mykonos but also called Chora, sits around this bay. Archeologists say that Ionians settled on Mykonos around 1200 BC. The Ionians were Greek, but from the central Western coast of Anatolia in modern day Turkey. We will be near ancient Ionia soon.
Mykonos was, of course, a tiny and poor fishing village forever, until in the 1950's it started to become a tourist destination.
We walked around to the windmills of Mykonos.
As you can see they are for decoration only.
Exploring the self-portrait theme that began on Crete.
Little Venice, a nice place to sit in a cafe that overhangs the sea. It is very cold and windy, and a warm lunch awaits us on the ship. You tell me if we stopped here for long?
This is Manto Mavroyenous, a hero of Greek Revolution against Ottomans in 1821. It took seven years and the assistance of England, France and Russia, but Greece was independent by 1828.
We have now visited Mykonos twice, and again we are unimpressed. But I am certain if you come in the summer and want to lay in the sun by the sea or a pool, and shop for knick-knacks and do little else, this is a little rock of heaven. Much like Santorini.
Time for lunch.
The hot soup of the day was Butternut Squash. After walking around in the cold wind, this was a delight.
Barbie enjoyed The Chinois Chicken Salad; Shredded Roasted Chicken, Julienne of Napa Cabbage, Lettuce, Snow Peas, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Peanuts and Sesame Seeds, Tossed with a Chinese Mustard Dressing, Garnished with Crisp Won Ton Skins and Fresh Cilantro.
My desire for comfort food was strong. Spaghetti "Bolognese"; Long Paste Tossed with Italian Meat Tomato Sauce, Sprinkled with Freshly Grated Grana Padano Parmesan Cheese.
Sitting behind Barbie during lunch...
Mister Steve Forbes. At the moment, the USA is going crazy with talks of the 1%. To see Steve Forbes during lunch made us laugh. We have seen people with Forbes badges on board. At the time we did not know if this was a corporate retreat or what, but it turns out people paid extra to ride this cruise and attend lectures from Forbes magazine on managing your wealth. Steve Forbes' daughter is running it, and I suppose what they paid for this cruise got them a speech a billionaire.
Nothing against Mister Forbes, but if paid to hear a billionaire speak I would want him to have not inherited it.
A lovely place to have lunch.
After lunch we hit the screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
I took this picture early in the movie. We liked it, but it is hard to not like a free afternoon movie on the cruise ship.
A nice shot of Mykonos taken while walking around the ship.
Not a bad sky. Once again cold and mildly unpleasant weather looks nice in a photograph.
Time for dinner.
Today everyone, including Barbie, was at our table for dinner. After a few nights dining alone, I had to take a twisted panorama of our group, regardless of my earlier promise to not take their picture.
Tonight's dinner has a theme, French Dinner. Most of them do, but I rarely notice. I only know it is French Dinner night because I am looking at the menu two months later. I will be treating all of you menu obsessed folks to a copy of every dinner menu of the cruise. That will be on the last day, of course.
Barbie started with the Escargots Bourguignonnes; Burgundy Snails in Garlic Herb Butter.
I started with French Onion Soup with Guyere Cheese Crouton.
Barbie had the Fusilli Boscaiola; with Pancetta, Mushrooms, Onions, Tomatoes and Cream, Drizzled with White Truffle Oil.
I had the Veal "a la Cordon Bleu"; Veal Escalopes Filled with Swiss Cheese and Country Ham, Breaded and Golden Friend, Served with Parisienne Potatoes, Vichy Carrots, and Natural Gravy.
His dessert, Something Chocolatey.
Her dessert, Something Soberty.
We are exhausted but I think the sickness is finally receding.
Until tomorrow.
We hopped onto busses for the five minute ride to just outside of town.
Mykonos was, of course, a tiny and poor fishing village forever, until in the 1950's it started to become a tourist destination.
We have now visited Mykonos twice, and again we are unimpressed. But I am certain if you come in the summer and want to lay in the sun by the sea or a pool, and shop for knick-knacks and do little else, this is a little rock of heaven. Much like Santorini.
Time for lunch.
Sitting behind Barbie during lunch...
Nothing against Mister Forbes, but if paid to hear a billionaire speak I would want him to have not inherited it.
After lunch we hit the screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Time for dinner.
Tonight's dinner has a theme, French Dinner. Most of them do, but I rarely notice. I only know it is French Dinner night because I am looking at the menu two months later. I will be treating all of you menu obsessed folks to a copy of every dinner menu of the cruise. That will be on the last day, of course.
We are exhausted but I think the sickness is finally receding.
Until tomorrow.
