Who likes a great myth, and a fun destination to go along with it? Me! If your visiting Greece, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful island of Mykonos. Located South West of the mainland in the middle of the Aegean Sea, it is part of the Cyclades Archipelago.
My travels took me to this island by cruise ship, but it can also be reached by boat/ferry or plane from Athens or abroad. The origin of how this beautiful rocky island came to be and where it got it’s name is explained in ancient Greek mythology. It is said to be close to the birth place of Apollo, the son of Zeus. It was formed during the War of the Giants, when Hercules lured the giants from Mt. Olympus so he could conquer them. The giants’ bodies were thrown into the sea where they became petrified. One version of the myth says the the island of Mykonos was created by the petrified corpses, and the other version says the large rocks that cover the island of Mykonos are the petrified giants. Either way I was happy to be surrounded by giants! This island got it’s name from its first ruler and demi-god whose name was Mykons. He was somewhat of a local hero as his father or grandfather was Apollo. These little tidbits of myth are fun to explore, helping us make sense of things we don’t understand, like how did the island Mykonos come to be anyway?
This beautiful island, nicknamed “The Island of the Winds”, is the most cosmopolitan. I absolutely loved the whitewashed houses and buildings with their cubic and traditional designs. The minimal lines create a striking yet serene atmosphere. Brightly painted doors and shutters add a splash of color to add interest and variety.
I was out of my mind meandering through the lanes of old town Mykonos. Some corridors would lead you right to the sea where you could visit little Venice and watch the sunset. Savoring the sunshine and eating baklava dripping with honey. So yummy, so romantic.
We toured most of the island on a ATV(all terrain vehicle), which by the way was lacking in power. No worries though, it just gave me more time to enjoy the scenery. We were there in November, so we really didn’t spend much time at the beach. It was pleasant, enough for walking, playing, jumping and even a bit of yoga.
Exploring the island and learning about it’s myths gave me some insight into Greek culture first hand. Through my studies at www.gobodhiyoga.com I’ve began to cultivate an awareness. I’m looking for the common thread that weaves these myths and stories together. I ask my self, Why does the same symbolism keep showing up over and over again? It’s like a “giant” puzzle all coming together. I hope you get a chance to visit this island sometime. I absolutely loved Mykonos.
Namaste,
Holly
