Mykonos - more pics

It took the better part of a day, but we're finally settled into the Harmony Hotel in Mykonos. The ride over the Aegean was pretty choppy, with some big swells that tossed the boat around like a toy. Fortunately, none of us suffered from sea sickness (but there were plenty on board who were various shades of grey-to-green).

Mykonos is famous for having lots of those beautiful Greek windmills... and we now know why:  it's crazy windy here (think Mission Bay in SF). Rough seas, big waves, but stunning blue waters, which makes the whitecaps even whiter (George and his sisters called whitecaps "little sheep" when they were growing up on Chios).

Mykonos is a popular port of call for the cruise ship industry; this Royal Caribbean ship came in and dumped a few thousand tourists into town - followed quickly by a couple more ships (one was one of those megaships). Today, (Thus) it's too windy for the cruise ships. The winds were expected to die down by now, but in fact have intensified. We're lucky to be here.

Mykonos town is a labrythine maze of twisty, turny streets that are far too narrow for cars. Deliveries are made by scooter or micro-vehicles. Many streets are too narrow even for those; they are only wide enough for a couple people to walk side by side.

Note the date palm in the background leaning in the winds, which are FIERCE - but in town, just light breezes as the wind can't seem to penetrate the maze of streets.

Above town are several Greek windmills that appear to be functional, although none of them have their sails deployed. Locals say they were used to mill grain. There is very little water on this island; the water provided by the local utility company is from desalinated sea water

A popular item on the menu of most restaurants is octopus. This unlucky guy is quite literally being hung out to dry before being prepared for somebody's supper. 

Today is Jim McBride's birthday! At midnight last night, in the Porta bar, they interrupted the music to play Happy Birthday and break out a cake.  Very karmic!

The streets of Mykonos come alive around midnight with gypsy children, from about 5 to 12 years old. They are trying to either sell you one of those glow-in-the dark plastic bracelets - and if that doesn't work, they'll thrown their arms around your neck to give you a big hug  - and then steal your wallet. I watched a British couple get seduced by these kids' charms - but lucky for the brits, the kids weren't able to pick their pockets.