The Greek Escape
Towards the tail end of their stay, Lisa planned for a day excision to the Islands of Rinia and Delos which was a short sailing trip away from the honeymooners main stay in Mykonos. The couple met at a pickup site across the street from what they assumed was the only Bakery open at the time. After the other 6 people attending the tour joined their company and the the captains were met, the party set sail. The first destination was the island of Rinia because the island of Delos has strict restrictions from allowing visitors to swim the surrounding waters. While the early May sun was high in the sky with the steady breeze Mykonos is known for washed over the tourists, the water was remarkably frigid! Despite Dakota’s plea’s to stay on the boat to nurse his sunburn, Lisa adamantly argued that they could not come all the way to Greece not to swim in the Aegean Sea. With a countdown from the other passengers and the captain dutifully filming, they took the plunge! Even though Dakota could not swim to the boat latter fast enough, Lisa pursued the swim to the island. She climbed the abandoned ruins, picked a few violet wildflowers to weave in her hair, and pictured herself as the Little Mermaid atop the steep jutting rocks on the other side of the island which were periodically bathed in the sea foam and waves. After working the courage to brave the cold again, she swam back to the boat as the captains fashioned a delicious pasta dish for all the passengers.
After lunch was devoured, the captains set sail for Delos to to meet their tour guide. Delos has no accommodations aside from the few archeologists and guards that live onsite. The whole island is the largest archeological site in the world, and Delos is rumored to be the birthplace of the gods, Apollo and Artemis. Delos was a giant spot for worship to several gods outside of the Greek ones like the Egyptian god, Isis. In it’s hay day, Delos was revered and privy to the best innovation of the world due to knowledge bartered from sailors seeking refuge and fresh water. The respect of the island and it’s direct and sacred contact with the gods was so extreme that other civilizations sent large and expensive gifts like marble and what’s known as the Terrace of Lions. These lions were sent with the primary purpose to guard and honor the god, Apollo. The knowledgeable guide, walked the group through the political, historical, theatric, and commercial rises of Delos until it’s unrecoverable fall. Post tour there was time, but not enough for Lisa and Dakota, to take photos and explore the island that was glowing from the various wildflowers that decorate the ruins for only a short time in May.
Luckily, the couple made it back to Mykonos in time to catch the indescribably beautiful sunsets that can best be seen in bars and shops in Little Venice. While the beaches are clearly the main attraction in Greece, Little Venice holds entertainment for the biggest foodies, wild partiers and smokers, and for the shoppers that want either locally made merchandise or exclusive items in popular branches like Louis Vuitton.
