Had a day of fun and adventure - joined the throngs of tourists and locals and hired a quad bike! First stop was the petrol station as they are delivered to you virtually empty, then we managed to negotiate our way to Plati Gialos - one of the many beach areas dotted along the meandering Mykonos coastline. Roads are narrow, winding, often fairly poor condition with steep inclines and descents - but all added to the exhilarating experience.
Had a wander along the stretch of Plati Gialos - lined with restaurants, bars and classy looking hotels, the beach crowded with beach lounges and cabanas. Checked out the famous (or infamous!) Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches - the popular nightclub spots for the younger set! Next beach we stopped at was Agrari. Quite windy but beautiful; many water sports - donut rides etc. You need to pay for whatever beach spot you choose - so need to make it worth your while! Elia beach is round the next bend. We decided on the next beach around called Agari Anna. Amazing! Reasonably protected with the awesome Hotel Anastasia perched on one side of the hill. Found a couple of lounges and umbrella to position ourselves for next couple hours! (EUR12!) Sensational! Made friends with a lovely Greek lady laying next to me. We're still pretty conspicuous on the beach - the pale skin and the lack of brevity of my swimmers! Europeans have no inhibitions or modesty!
Clambered around a walkway on the rocks following a precarious timber path and stone steps to a restaurant virtually in the rock face, looking out to sea! Unfortunately without a reservation we weren't able to secure a table, with many guests arriving by boat. Instead had a roll and drink back under our umbrella. So relaxing and the water was beautiful.
Checked out Hotel Anastasia and its incredible view before we left (slight delay in Raym getting the bike started!) and visited the Fish Taverna at the other end of the beach. My new Greek friend said the next beach, Kalafatis, was worth a look so headed round there. Plenty of activity - evidently a popular wind surfing area.
Time to head back - feeling a tad battered from sun and wind from bike ride - via Mykonos town. Glad to be back and fall in our beautiful pool to refresh (and a beer, of course - on the Mythos now Con!)
Showered, changed and rode bike back into Mykonos town for dinner. Luckily Eleni had told us where the depot was for our bike company and we could park there for free; was only a short walk away. Found our way around - totally different atmosphere in the evening. All the shops still open, really bustling! Raym was keen to eat in a square we had found previously - didn't take too long to relocate. Pasta and meatballs! Yum! Lovely stroll through those tiny streets - people everywhere of all ages - many families with young children. All in all feel that Ornos is really the perfect location to stay!