Friday morning came way too quick and early. We had to be at Piraeus by 6am for our 6 hour ferry to Mykonos. We were also very lucky to be joined by all the senior high school classes in Greece for their version of "graduation and prom". Most seniors in Greece take a 5-day voyage to an island with their classmates to celebrate moving on in the world. We were fortunate enough to drop them off at a different island before we arrived to Mykonos. Later that afternoon we arrived at the port and took a shuttle up to by-far one of the BEST hotels in all of Greece-Poseidon. Thank you Papa Geoff and Mama Sam for finding this beauty. Due to the awe-inspiring hotel and scenery, the rest of the evening was a quiet one spent in our rooms enjoying a tropical "holiday".
Hotel Poseidon
Saturday morning we all took advantage to a delicious and large breakfast. Not that we didn't enjoy the breakfast at Hotel Dioskouros in Athens (hard-boiled eggs and crepes), but Poseidon's spread was supreme. They had brownies-who doesn't want a brownie at 7am?! Anyway, we all met at the fisherman's port to board our quick 20 minute ferry to the island of Delos for class. Delos is an uninhabited island that has incredible ancient ruins compared to all of the islands. It was originally a religious sanctuary to Apollo, then became the location for the Delian League and Treasury during the wars, and was also the home to a few foreign cult temples. Personally I would have loved to stay a bit longer, but GWA-there is only one daily ferry to and from the island. Once we returned to Mykonos, most of us laid out by the pool, which was heavenly. After the sun set over the sea, a group of us showered, got a simple dinner, and went out for the evening. I was lucky enough to experience a dance studio's "hip hop" performance at an outside theater. If only the Greek people understood the lyrics of the songs their 6-year old daughters were dancing to.....it was overall entertaining but a tad bit disturbing.
On the top of a mountain on Delos
Sunday marked our first "holiday", or break, of our studies on the trip. Besides the few "free days" we receive here and there, we are given 3 holidays where we are allowed to choose what to do and where to go. Our first was in Hydra, now in Mykonos, and eventually in Paros. Most of the group packed to spend the day at the beach. We walked to the closer beach, which was nice, but the water was frigid. We spent some time laying out and eating our packed lunch. However, eventually some others walked to a different beach and the rest of us returned to the poolside. Later that evening, we, again, showered, ate, and went out. Except this time a few of us went out dancing. Greek people don't really care to dance but rather intently love to watch Americans dance. I cannot decide if that is flattering or offensive. Either way, it was an enjoyable night. The next day mimicked this day as well, with us enjoying the pool, sun, and the nightlife.
The shoreline of Mykonos
Tuesday was our last full day in Mykonos and we decided to rent ATVs to drive around the island and sightsee. This may have been frowned upon by the program (and by frowned upon I actually mean a big no-no) but we decided it was the best way to see the island. We traveled a few hours roaming the island, from tip to tip, and eventually found a nice beach where we met up with the rest of the group. Most of us ate a simple lunch from the supermarket and spent our day chatting about all the sites we saw and how we never want to leave the island. That evening, a few of us decided to splurge on a seafood dinner at a local taverna. I ordered the seafood spaghetti and it was delicious! It had pieces of shrimp, prawns, crab, squid, octopus (yes, there is a difference between that and squid), clams, mussels, cuttlefish, and a white fish. It was definitely some of the best seafood I have ever had, especially the best here in Greece. That evening most of us went out to the same dance club and bar as the night before, but for some odd reason, we decided to leave the hotel in shifts and eventually all got lost. An hour later, we finally ran into a few people from our group and went back to the club. I decided to go with Jessica and Lo to a piano bar and have some drinks there. It was really chill and entertaining.
The notorious windmills on the shore of Mykonos
(*I actually have a picture of myself on the ATV, but for my professor's sake, I won't post it)
Wednesday was a sad day at Poseidon. No one wanted to leave such an extravagant place. Unfortunately, the ferry pulled up to the port and we ascended the stairs, grabbed a few tables, and settled in for the 6-hour ride back home to Athens.
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