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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Chasing Windmills ~ Finding Mykonos Magic

When Greece comes to mind don’t you immediately picture a sun-drenched island, dappled with white-washed villages under brilliant blue skies?  In my more skeptical moments I sometimes wonder if those travel magazine and tourist brochure photos that put those images in the psyche aren’t ‘doctored’ (okay, in this day and age, ‘Photoshop-ed’) to look as picture-perfect as they do. After our stop on Mykonos though, I realize there are places that are as perfect in reality as they are in the imagination. . . 

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Mykonos Windmills

It was the windmills that tipped the scales in favor of Mykonos on our first trip to Greece several years ago.

Many of you know Greece landed on my travel list back at age 9 when Hayley Mills and Eli Wallace frolicked among the windmills in the Walt Disney movie “The Moonspinners”. I'd had Greece on the mind since the movie had swept me off my feet, so this Cycladic Island, known for its glitz and glamour. . .and windmills, was added to the itinerary. I got my dose of windmills but we remember that stay as windy, wet, and cold in a pricey place far removed from town.

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We’d not returned again until this spring and what we found was red, white and blue magic. . .and those lovely windmills, of course.

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Staying much closer to town than that first trip, we set out after dark and it felt as if an enchanted spell had been cast on the place – candles and soft lighting at the many cafes that set up on the small pedestrian ‘streets’ added to the ambiance.

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Those narrow walkways, however, were just as interesting in the daytime – many so narrow you can extend your arms and touch the walls on either side of the ‘street’.

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Red, white and blue. . .the vivid colors were mixed and matched in every setting imaginable.

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Restaurants and walkways were decked out in them against the near blinding-white background of the buildings.

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Red doors called out welcome.

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Although the tourist brochures plant that image we described in the opening, we’ve  found that each area we’ve visited in this vast country seemed to have its own ‘trademark’ building styles and colors; the whitewashed Cubist-style buildings in the Cyclades and the Stone Tower  style in the Peloponnese, are two distinctly different examples.

Have you been to Greece? What colors or styles did you find in the area you visited? Or for those of you who live there, how would you describe your area? As always, we appreciate your time today – hope you’ll come back again soon!

IF YOU GO:

Map picture

Mykonos is a hub island for ferries from Athens and those to other Cycladic Islands. It’s cruise ship/ferry port is a large modern affair just outside Mykonos Town. The island has an airport; flights are less than an hour from Athens. Easy Jet flies direct from London from May to September.

Linking Up:
Travel Photo Thursday
Travel Photo Discovery on Monday
Weekend Travel Inspiration

44 comments:

  1. So beautiful! I'm glad you went back after your first experience. I'm always a little nervous to go back to a place I really loved because I'm afraid it will never seem that good again. I haven't gone back to too many places I didn't like the first time, but maybe I need to based on your experience.

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    1. I know there are many who travel and make it a point never to return to a place, just simply add new places. But we are different and figure each visit is a new visit - and this one certainly proved us right on that!

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  2. What a beautiful place. I love the white with the contrasting red doors! Very magical place.

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    1. It was certainly magical and we are glad we gave Mykonos another try!

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  3. Simply stunning, Jackie! I was in Greece when I was 17. I have always wanted to go back, and living this trip through your posts has made me want to get there sooner, rather than later!

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    1. Oh Nancie, I think you would love it here - especially in the smaller villages. Prices are still on the inexpensive side and people are still warm and welcoming!

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  4. Thanks for your visit today, Lilli. It is always appreciated!

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  5. Beautiful images. I'm visiting Santorini in July. It will be my first time visiting Greece. I'm more excited than ever after seeing your pictures.

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    1. Michelle You will find that same kind of white-washed magic as we found in Mykonos! Enjoy your trip to the max and I look forward to seeing your photos!

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  6. I haven't been to Greece. Your pictures are so inviting! What a beautiful place~ (Unless you photo--shopped them:-)

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    1. Good one, Irene! I am still laughing at that one. . .I probably should have noted that I don't even have PhotoShop. . .the craziest I get is Instaframe, picking odd colored frames to use!! Thanks for the visit~

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  7. There's something very magical about greece, isn't there? I've not yet been to Mykonos, but would like to. You ask about colours? On Santorini, it's all bright blue and white. Quite intoxicating!

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    1. Thanks for the visit Doreen! Those colors just scream, "Greece!" don't they?

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  8. I loved my long ago visit to Mykonos. I remember those narrow passageways. And little restaurants outside on the sidwalk. And a great little beach that we got too via a donkey trail. Thanks for bringing my memories back. :)

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    1. Oh Carole, Aren't those Grecian memories just a bit of magic? I love the idea of getting to a beach via a donkey trail. . .thanks much for your visit.

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  9. We visited Mykonos on a Cyprus based cruise in 2005. You have certainly captured the picturesque (photoesque) beauty of the place. We were also treated to a magnificent sunset at the end of our port day there. I admit I didn't remember the red doors. When I think of that trip, the colors are always the turquoise and white of Santorini.

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    1. Actually, the red struck me as something new as well. That first visit I could have sworn was dark blue and white with maybe a variation in blues to the turquoise you mentioned. Thanks for the visit today~

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  10. We stayed there in off season 35 years ago and it was magical. Those windmills still look the same, but I bet the rest of the island has changed. It really was/is one of those iconic sights. Love your harbour shot. Were the pelicans still there sitting on boats by the shore?

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    1. The city has a pelican for its mascot. And he was strolling through town one day - I meant to add his photo but will include it somewhere soon. We didn't see any on the boats however (the weather was a bit windy and wet again for a part of our stay).

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    2. It is interesting to hear you say City, because when we were there it was more like a village. Glad to hear a Pelican is still there. :)

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  11. I've never been to Greece. My teen wanted to go this summer, but his younger brother's Italy proposal won out. At least I've been able to visit it vicariously through you. The whitewashed buildings are exactly as I picture Greece, so it's interesting that you've found different areas to have different styles.

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    1. Well, Greece and Italy are both pretty magic places so I don't think your camera will have much of a rest or you either by heading to Italy. Look forward to your reports from there. (Thanks for the visit - always appreciated!).

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  12. Lovely shots. Make me want to go back soon!

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  13. Going through this post gave me one happy sigh after another. :-) SO beautiful!!!

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    1. Glad I could give you an armchair trip of 'sighs' - Have a great weekend! xx J.

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  14. That little restaurant on the sidewalk with the red chairs and the checkered tablecloths has grabbed me. I so want to go to Greece! The Mediterranean in on the top of my must do holiday list. We have friend who lives in Malta now, so she might be a good excuse for a trip. I just wish it wasn't so far away.
    Happy travels. And thank you for stopping by my blog.

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    1. It isn't the easiest of places to get to from where you and I both start Jill, but it is so worth those hours in a plane once you get there. We had just a quick stop on a cruise in Malta - and if I had a friend there, I'd be booking my flights now!! Thanks for the visit~

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  15. Just came back to see if my first comment posted but it didn't. It told me something was wrong so take 2.

    I loved the fact that you have broken my image of Greece. It's not just blue and white after all and there's a lot more colour than I would have imagined.

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    1. Oh there are so many colors and styles in Greece that I am surprised someone hasn't done a book on them all, Leigh. Thanks for the visit.

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  16. Oh my gosh! I loved this. I took my laptop into my husband's office (I completely interrupted him) so he could see your photos!

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    1. Oh Suzanne, what a wonderful comment you left! And thank you for doing so. I am flattered that the post was of interest to you both. Hope you'll be a regular visitor here - would love to hear more from you.

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  17. I loved "The Moonspinners" with Haley Mills and watched the movie and read the book by Mary Stewart several times. Your pictures and post bring back the feeling of magic and discovery! Can't wait to visit...

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    1. Oh Anita, I have the DVD of the Moonspinners now and also have Mary Stewart's book. . .loved both the movie and the book. Thanks so much for leaving this note and glad to know the post brought good memories and magic. . .

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  18. Jackie and Joel. I love your color-themed post....gorgeous photos! I have been to Greece. Love it, can't wait to go back!

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    1. There is something about Greece that just pulls you back, isn't there, Corinne? Thanks for your visit today!

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  19. Ah, thanks for the walk-down-splendid-memory-lane, Jackie. Though I've not been to Mykonos, my young daughters (then age 8 and 11) and I spent a month roaming the Greek isles 30-odd years ago. Mainly Santorini (Thira) and Crete. I shall especially never forget the Greek yogurt - a thick creamy slab smothered in honey.

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    1. Oh, how well I know that Greek yogurt! We have eaten pounds of it - just as you described it, 'smothered in honey' - YUM! Thanks for the memories Dyanne!

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  20. Jackie and Joel, Thanks for linking up with Weekend Travel Inspiration! This is a wonderfully inspirational piece!

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    1. Corinne, thank you for hosting such a fun link-up. I will get back there soon and visit everyone's blog!

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  21. Wonderful memories here. I love Mykonos.
    Visiting from Weekend Travel Inspiration.

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  22. I spent a week in Greece in college. Mykonos was my favorite excursion. cars on the island were limited. and the sun drenched air seemed so light and clear after the smog in Athens.

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  23. Beautiful photos! I've seen the windmills of Mykonos in photos but hardly see images of anything else on the island. What a perfect place to relax and my ideal vision of a Greek island. One day...we'll make it here :) Thanks for the travel inspiration for now.

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  24. Love the fact that you have featured, among the blue and white reps of this most magical and windy island, the red, white, and blue vibrancy that so boldly beautifies this land. Your photos are phenomenal for this colou crazed girl!

    Poppy

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  25. What a beautiful destination, Jackie. Excellent photo series!

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