Mykonos is the only Greek Island I had previously been to, and my 2008 visit included some wild observations: a Greek man chased an American girl out of the de facto bus station yelling, “Get out of here! And never come back to Mykonos!” then proceeded to pick up a garbage can and chase her with it; an Asian American college student proudly exclaimed. “We’re American! They either love us or they hate us!” while standing on a packed bus to Paradise Beach; and witnessing numerous x-rated antics on Paradise Beach which I can’t write on social media. That was in mid-July, which was the height of the season. Yet despite coming in May this time, and having been told by numerous fellow travelers that they would rather give a lung than visit Mykonos, I came. There are plenty of people. I feel like in the Old Town, there are more people than the first time. Of course, they are a different lot than the travelers who wouldn’t or couldn’t come — beautiful men and women wearing casual chic or even full-length, decked out cocktail dresses. I visited Paradise Beach again. There was still the wild dancing but nothing x-rated. Everything seems better organized this time, but also more manufactured. I don’t remember this level of gloss in the Old Town the first time, but maybe I’m just misremembering. That was 16 years ago. Much has changed, but much hasn’t. I’d say pound for pound that Mykonos is still my favorite island. Not because the Old Town is a Madison Ave labyrinth but because there’s a lot more to Mykonos than that. There’s an amazing diversity here: of history, culture, partying, geography and people. It’s not just the Jet Set, although they are out in full force. I suppose I am an honorary member nowadays, at least when I choose to be. But that’s just it. You can choose the glam or the casual or the cringe. Everyone will watch, but no one will judge… #mykonos #greece #travelblogger #greekislands #travelphotography #greece2024
2 min readMay 13, 2024
