July 2 2014 Mykonos Greece

July 2 2014

What a spectacular morning as we arrived in Mykonos, Greece.  It was so beautiful this morning upon arrival about 6:45 a.m.  All ashore was 7:15 a.m.  

Mykonos is the most famous and popular Greek island and attracts thousands of visitors each year.  The windmills on Mykonos are an important symbol.  In the past, the round shaped windmills worked with the force of the brisk breeze to grind wheat and flour.  But today, some have been converted into houses and private museums.  Additionally, of all the churches in Mykonos, the Paraportiani Church is the most impressive.  It actually consists of five churches rolled into one.  However, only one of the chapels on the ground floor is open to visitors.  Part of the church dates from 1425 while the rest was built in the 16^th and 17^th centuries.  Okay, enough about history…

The boys went to Super Paradise Beach today.  They said it was great.  When the DCL shuttle buses drop you off on the edge of town there are buses marked Super Paradise Beach.  They cost $10 euros round trip.  They run continually throughout the day.  The guys said that you can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs at the beach.  I think it was another 10 or so.  They said the beach was beautiful. 

Headed into the market.  The local farmers and fishermen bring their goods into the square each morning and sell to local restaurants and residents of the island.  Includes flowers, vegetables, fruit and fish.  The fish smell…well it smells really fishy…..

 

I then headed to this place that Jamie and I loved when we last visited.  It is called Gelarte.  The Homemade Ice Cream in Mykonos.  I had been waiting to have my fresh fruit waffle the whole trip for this morning.  They make the waffles while you wait and it was yummy!  They also have Baklava.  I also love their décor.  Especially the tshirt that says: “Life is like an ice cream, Enjoy it before it melts!  For those that have already asked on my Facebook post, Gelarte is located right on the waterfront right before the ferry location to Delos.  I am posting a picture of the waterfront.  At the end of the waterfront there is a church on the right, the ferry location is right there and the ice cream shop is on the left

After that I went on my morning walk and headed to the famous Windmills of Mykonos.  It is a leisurely 10 minute walk along the waters edge.  You walk through restaurants on the way that have tables outside.  However, I guess you need to be careful where you sit depending on the tide,  or you might get wet.

It was really breezy on the island today, but that helped make it feel cooler than it was.  I headed back into town through the back streets of Mykonos. I found not one, but two new greek boys to be my boyfriends….

I love the shopping district here.  There are so many tiny narrow streets with all different kinds of stores.  A shopper’s paradise  Also went by many churches on my walk.

Then ran into Maroly, Joshie and Rafael hanging out in Mykonos.  Got a picture with Maroly

Did some more shopping then headed back to Gelarte for my afternoon ice cream fix

Got back to the ship about 2 pm  All aboard was 2:45 pm.

Tonight is pirate night.  But there is no fireworks because we are too close to the Greek islands.  So we will be doing fireworks for July 4^th instead.  But we won’t be doing fireworks on July 4^th because we will be in Venice and the ship is not allowed to do fireworks, so instead we are celebrating the 4^th of July tomorrow, on July 3^rd and we will be doing fireworks tomorrow night.  I hope you followed all of that.  It is quite confusing.  So July 4^th is on July 3^rd here! LOL.

Went to Bingo tonight and took my Olaf for some good luck.  It worked!  Won $239 in Bingo!  Yippee!

Got some great pictures for pirate night along with some of the cast from main stage including Emma and Joey.

A great day all around.

Good night from the Disney Magic!

July 1 2014 Rhodes Greece

July 1 2014 

Welcome to July!  First, I have had a lot of questions about the tour in Ephesus with the local Turkish lunch at the family farmhouse.  If you are interested, you need to contact Mike Stoner at All Seasons Travel no later than July 2^nd to book.  He can be reached at 800-771-8690 or you can email at info@allseastravel.com.

The island of Rhodes is located between two major shipping and sea routes in the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea.  Rhodes is one of the southern-most Greek islands off the Coast of Turkey, with a close proximity to Cyprus and Egypt. 

 

So, today is the first time the Disney Magic arrived in the City of Rhodes, Greece.  We arrived about 6:45 a.m.  The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it was going to be a hot day.  Luckily, it was quite windy outside so it helped keep it a little cooler.

We were greeted by Greek folk dancers and received gifts of Greek cookies and Greek Oregano as we got off the ship.  Additionally, there was city hosts set up right after we got off the ship with maps of the city and they were very helpful explaining where we wanted to go and telling us about the Medieval Old Town.  

Additionally, the Hop On Hop Off bus in another option.  It is on the street right before the entrance to Old Town.  I picked up a brochure from the guy.  It comes about every 30 minutes.  The cost for a one day ticket is 12 euros for adults and 5 euros for children.  

We entered through the Virgin Mary Gate into the Medieval Town of Rhodes.  The Old Town is less than a five minute walk from the ship.  It is the main area of all of the activity going on in the town.  Since I will be here twice in the next two weeks, I decided to spend my day shopping for the most part and save some of the historical sites for next time.

We found another Fish Pedicure Store, so Keith and Rusty got feet pedicures

Then I ran into Andrea and got a quick picture

We then headed to the Clock Tower.  It cost 5 euros per adult to get in.  Children are free.  With your admission you get a free ticket to get a drink from their bar after you come back from climbing the tower.  Plus you get free wifi at the bar.  The views from the top were gorgeous and if you sit just right at the side of the window you can get a picture with the Magic in the background.

While walking the streets of the city, Olaf decided he needed to get on a moped and try it out for a spin

Then Olaf found a pillow with a sun on it.  He loves the idea of summer, so had to get a picture with it

There was also a fountain in the main square, so we stopped to get a picture there also

Had a great lunch in the main square at a place called Mike’s.  I got a Gyro and fries for $5 euros and a Strawberry Banana Smoothie $4 euros.  I liked it so well, I just might go there next week when I return.

After a late lunch, it was time to head back to the ship as we were departing at 4:45 p.m.  Mickey came out to wave from the ship to the kids on the streets.  He was dressed in his Greek Costume and Mickey was walking like the change of the guard at the palace in Athens.  I guess Mickey got to see the changing of the guard this week while we were in Athens and he had the whole pomp and circumstance down all the way to the high steps and the movement of his legs up and down.  I wish I had video tape it.  I’ll have to see if I can catch him doing it next week.

It was time to sailaway from Rhodes after a beautiful day.

In the Walt Disney Theatre tonight was “The Dream Goes On”.  The show goes through the history of Walt Disney and how the dream still survives today through music and song.  I really enjoyed this show.  Not really geared as much towards real young kids though, so don’t sit too close with young kids in case you need to leave because they are restless during the performance.

We then headed to Bingo and took Olaf for good luck.  It worked.  Keith won a little over $200 tonight!

We had the Prince and Princess menu for dinner tonight in Lumiere’s.  Olaf decided to join in on the fun for dinner.

After dinner I decided to call it a night since it was 10:45 p.m. and we are docking in Mykonos at 7:15 a.m.  Tomorrow we are taking it easy since we came to Mykonos last year.  I think it was one of my favorite ports.  I think my daughter Jamie said it was also one of her favorites.  There is some great shopping and restaurants and it is a small easy place to get around in.  I may walk up to the windmills and take some pictures.

Goodnight from the Disney Magic!