Day 4 - 05/04/17
Ferry to Mykonos
Our departure from Athens started very early in the morning with our group leaving the hotel at 5:45 a.m. We drove 20 minutes to the Piraeus Port where our ferry Skijet was supposed to depart at 8 a.m. The ferry ride itself was expected to last 2 hours and 45 minutes and included three side stops along the way (but we would be staying on-board while the ferry stopped). Boarding started around 7:30 a.m. One of the workers checked our passports and tickets as we boarded and then we handed off our luggage to another worker who stored it for us at the front of the ferry. The ferry was very large including 3x4x4x3 seating and a snack bar that sold specialty drinks, snacks and pastries. I was able to take a nap and read while aboard and they had the local news playing on TVs throughout the seating area, although it was being reported in Greek so I couldn't understand it.
San Marco Hotel
Once we arrived at the port in Downtown Mykonos, debarking the ferry became very chaotic. Mykonos was not the final stop for the ferry so we were rushed off the boat so that new people could board and the ferry could leave the port on schedule. Some of our luggage was moved from where it was originally stored so that added to the hectic atmosphere as well. As we got off the boat we were greeted with white buildings that lined the coastline for miles. Accent colors in different shades of blue stuck out from the rugged mountainsides covered in white buildings. We took two coach buses to our hotel, which was located about 15 minutes from Downtown. Watching our bus drivers navigate through the very narrow roads and tight turns was a little nerve wracking, but their skilled driving got us to the San Marco Hotel safely. As we were driving I noticed the crystal clear and vibrant blue water and the hazy mountain view in the distance. It was absolutely stunning. When we pulled up to the San Marco, we were greeted by the people at the concierge and were told to come inside and relax until our luggage was unloaded and our rooms were assigned. We waited in the lobby for about 30 minutes before Emily and I got our room key. Our luggage was delivered to our room an hour later via the minivan luggage delivery service at the hotel. Our room at the San Marco was very nice. We had a queen-sized bed, small balcony, couch, television and two cabinet closets for our clothes. Our bathroom was also nice, but unlike Athens, we could not flush the toilet paper here in Mykonos because of the sewer system. We were warned about this during our pre-departure meetings, but it was a strange feeling now that it was actually happening. The wi-fi situation wasn't the best since it was difficult to maintain a strong connection from our room, but once we were in the lobby area it worked just fine. Like our room in Athens, our electricity in the room required our key card to be inserted into the slot next to our door.
Dinner at Andriana's
We took the hotel shuttle to downtown so that we could experience some of Mykonos on our first day. After wandering around the area for 20 minutes, we found an outside restaurant in one of the many crevices of Mykonos. Andriana's had amazing food and a welcoming atmosphere to it as we enjoyed our meal. Emily and I split a greek salad and chicken skewers for dinner. We were also served a cake-like dessert that tasted just like pancakes! The service was just as great as the food.
Downtown Mykonos
I loved having the rest of the evening to explore Downtown Mykonos. Stark white buildings splashed with accent colors lined the streets. It was a nice evening to walk around because the weather wasn't too hot for a summer night and all of the buildings provided shade as we walked throughout town. Many of the shops catered to the typical tourists, but there was also a lot of them that were specialty shops featuring work from local artists, handmade jewelry, etc.
Windmills of Chora
One of the landmarks of Mykonos is the Windmills of Chora. These windmills are no longer working, but their massive structure and beautiful backdrop make them an iconic location on the island. The five windmills are the same in structure - large white base with a hut-like top and red wooden rods supporting the fan-like structure. These windmills date back to the 16th century and were used for milling wheat. The area was very peaceful as you could look out to the coast and see the bright blue water with rock formations of all shapes and sizes in the distance. You could also hear the sound of birds chirping nearby. The windmills and area nearby were surrounded by white flowers and tube-like grass. The early evening sunset provided a beautiful sky with hues of pink and blue.
Gelarte (Gelateria Artiganale)
My friends and I were craving dessert so we stopped at one of the local gelato places on the coastline downtown. We went inside and discovered 30 different flavors with authentic ingredients and flavor. The coconut gelato had actual coconut pieces on top, as did the others according to their flavors. I decided to get a scoop of pistachio and a scoop of coconut. Despite costing me €5,50 (comparable to what you would pay for a "love it" size at Cold Stone Creamery), the gelato was very creamy and rich in flavor. They offered a wide selection of other desserts and coffees, but their gelato was their most prominent item on the menu.
Our departure from Athens started very early in the morning with our group leaving the hotel at 5:45 a.m. We drove 20 minutes to the Piraeus Port where our ferry Skijet was supposed to depart at 8 a.m. The ferry ride itself was expected to last 2 hours and 45 minutes and included three side stops along the way (but we would be staying on-board while the ferry stopped). Boarding started around 7:30 a.m. One of the workers checked our passports and tickets as we boarded and then we handed off our luggage to another worker who stored it for us at the front of the ferry. The ferry was very large including 3x4x4x3 seating and a snack bar that sold specialty drinks, snacks and pastries. I was able to take a nap and read while aboard and they had the local news playing on TVs throughout the seating area, although it was being reported in Greek so I couldn't understand it.
San Marco Hotel
Once we arrived at the port in Downtown Mykonos, debarking the ferry became very chaotic. Mykonos was not the final stop for the ferry so we were rushed off the boat so that new people could board and the ferry could leave the port on schedule. Some of our luggage was moved from where it was originally stored so that added to the hectic atmosphere as well. As we got off the boat we were greeted with white buildings that lined the coastline for miles. Accent colors in different shades of blue stuck out from the rugged mountainsides covered in white buildings. We took two coach buses to our hotel, which was located about 15 minutes from Downtown. Watching our bus drivers navigate through the very narrow roads and tight turns was a little nerve wracking, but their skilled driving got us to the San Marco Hotel safely. As we were driving I noticed the crystal clear and vibrant blue water and the hazy mountain view in the distance. It was absolutely stunning. When we pulled up to the San Marco, we were greeted by the people at the concierge and were told to come inside and relax until our luggage was unloaded and our rooms were assigned. We waited in the lobby for about 30 minutes before Emily and I got our room key. Our luggage was delivered to our room an hour later via the minivan luggage delivery service at the hotel. Our room at the San Marco was very nice. We had a queen-sized bed, small balcony, couch, television and two cabinet closets for our clothes. Our bathroom was also nice, but unlike Athens, we could not flush the toilet paper here in Mykonos because of the sewer system. We were warned about this during our pre-departure meetings, but it was a strange feeling now that it was actually happening. The wi-fi situation wasn't the best since it was difficult to maintain a strong connection from our room, but once we were in the lobby area it worked just fine. Like our room in Athens, our electricity in the room required our key card to be inserted into the slot next to our door.
Dinner at Andriana's
We took the hotel shuttle to downtown so that we could experience some of Mykonos on our first day. After wandering around the area for 20 minutes, we found an outside restaurant in one of the many crevices of Mykonos. Andriana's had amazing food and a welcoming atmosphere to it as we enjoyed our meal. Emily and I split a greek salad and chicken skewers for dinner. We were also served a cake-like dessert that tasted just like pancakes! The service was just as great as the food.
Downtown Mykonos
I loved having the rest of the evening to explore Downtown Mykonos. Stark white buildings splashed with accent colors lined the streets. It was a nice evening to walk around because the weather wasn't too hot for a summer night and all of the buildings provided shade as we walked throughout town. Many of the shops catered to the typical tourists, but there was also a lot of them that were specialty shops featuring work from local artists, handmade jewelry, etc.
Windmills of Chora
One of the landmarks of Mykonos is the Windmills of Chora. These windmills are no longer working, but their massive structure and beautiful backdrop make them an iconic location on the island. The five windmills are the same in structure - large white base with a hut-like top and red wooden rods supporting the fan-like structure. These windmills date back to the 16th century and were used for milling wheat. The area was very peaceful as you could look out to the coast and see the bright blue water with rock formations of all shapes and sizes in the distance. You could also hear the sound of birds chirping nearby. The windmills and area nearby were surrounded by white flowers and tube-like grass. The early evening sunset provided a beautiful sky with hues of pink and blue.
Gelarte (Gelateria Artiganale)
My friends and I were craving dessert so we stopped at one of the local gelato places on the coastline downtown. We went inside and discovered 30 different flavors with authentic ingredients and flavor. The coconut gelato had actual coconut pieces on top, as did the others according to their flavors. I decided to get a scoop of pistachio and a scoop of coconut. Despite costing me €5,50 (comparable to what you would pay for a "love it" size at Cold Stone Creamery), the gelato was very creamy and rich in flavor. They offered a wide selection of other desserts and coffees, but their gelato was their most prominent item on the menu.
Day 5 - 05/05/17
Breakfast
The hotel serves complimentary breakfast daily from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. They served a wide variety of food including eggs, bacon, pastries, toast, cereals, juices, teas, etc. I chose the chocolate pebbles cereal, bacon, cheese pastry, croissants with nutella and Earl Grey Tea. Breakfast was very delicious and it was a nice way to start off the busy day ahead of us.
Classes
We had our first day of classes at the Hotel San Marco. Emily and I took Social Media Skills and Sports Media Techniques, both taught by Professor Spiker (the head of the Journalism Department at UF). Our classes were taught in meeting rooms at the back of the hotel and lasted about an hour each. Our Social Media class had about 30 students and our Sports Media class had eight students. Both of the classes were very interactive and engaging for our first day and we became excited for the classes ahead, despite the fact we were actually doing work while in Europe.
Sakis Grill House
After our classes we took a taxi into town because the shuttle bus at the hotel was very crowded. Our taxi cab driver was very nice and informative. He told us there were only 27 taxicab drivers on the island so during tourist season things could be very busy. It cost us €10 to get from our hotel to the taxi cab station. Although he was a great driver, his speed and some of his turns made put us a little on edge. For lunch, we went to Sakis Grill House in downtown. The food there was absolutely amazing and very cheap. It only cost me €3,50 for a chicken gyro with tzatziki and lettuce. It was your typical food shack with a chaotic, but lively atmosphere.
Paraga Beach
After lunch, we went back to the taxicab station and took a taxi to Paraga Beach, one of the most well-known beaches on the island. Our taxi cab driver was very nice and offered some great tips on things to do in Mykonos. He also gave us some great insight on some of the other beaches around the island. It cost us 20 euros to get from downtown to the beach, but since we were splitting the cost amongst four of us, it wasn't too bad. Paraga Beach was stunningly beautiful. It was smaller, but you didn't feel like people were on top of you because it wasn't too crowded. It was a semi-nude beach so that took a little getting used to since that is not very common at the beaches back home in Florida. Looking out from the beach you could see hazy mountains in the distance and cool rock formations close to the reef. The water was very cold, but it was crystal clear so you could see out for miles. Despite the warm weather, it was a comfortable to lay out on a towel and enjoy some reading. The beach also had mini rocks for a base instead of sand. We had an awesome afternoon laying out and enjoying the water (when we were brave enough to go in). My GoPro got some great video footage underwater and we were able to capture some great shots, but they don't do the beach's beauty justice whatsoever.
Gelato
After our afternoon at the beach, we took another taxi back to downtown. We were dropped off at a different station this time (on the other side of downtown) so we decided to cool off with more Gelato from the same place we went to the night before. This time I decided to get one scoop of Oreo and one scoop of Hazelnut. The combination was delicious because the Hazelnut offset some of the sweetness from the Oreo.
The hotel serves complimentary breakfast daily from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. They served a wide variety of food including eggs, bacon, pastries, toast, cereals, juices, teas, etc. I chose the chocolate pebbles cereal, bacon, cheese pastry, croissants with nutella and Earl Grey Tea. Breakfast was very delicious and it was a nice way to start off the busy day ahead of us.
Classes
We had our first day of classes at the Hotel San Marco. Emily and I took Social Media Skills and Sports Media Techniques, both taught by Professor Spiker (the head of the Journalism Department at UF). Our classes were taught in meeting rooms at the back of the hotel and lasted about an hour each. Our Social Media class had about 30 students and our Sports Media class had eight students. Both of the classes were very interactive and engaging for our first day and we became excited for the classes ahead, despite the fact we were actually doing work while in Europe.
Sakis Grill House
After our classes we took a taxi into town because the shuttle bus at the hotel was very crowded. Our taxi cab driver was very nice and informative. He told us there were only 27 taxicab drivers on the island so during tourist season things could be very busy. It cost us €10 to get from our hotel to the taxi cab station. Although he was a great driver, his speed and some of his turns made put us a little on edge. For lunch, we went to Sakis Grill House in downtown. The food there was absolutely amazing and very cheap. It only cost me €3,50 for a chicken gyro with tzatziki and lettuce. It was your typical food shack with a chaotic, but lively atmosphere.
Paraga Beach
After lunch, we went back to the taxicab station and took a taxi to Paraga Beach, one of the most well-known beaches on the island. Our taxi cab driver was very nice and offered some great tips on things to do in Mykonos. He also gave us some great insight on some of the other beaches around the island. It cost us 20 euros to get from downtown to the beach, but since we were splitting the cost amongst four of us, it wasn't too bad. Paraga Beach was stunningly beautiful. It was smaller, but you didn't feel like people were on top of you because it wasn't too crowded. It was a semi-nude beach so that took a little getting used to since that is not very common at the beaches back home in Florida. Looking out from the beach you could see hazy mountains in the distance and cool rock formations close to the reef. The water was very cold, but it was crystal clear so you could see out for miles. Despite the warm weather, it was a comfortable to lay out on a towel and enjoy some reading. The beach also had mini rocks for a base instead of sand. We had an awesome afternoon laying out and enjoying the water (when we were brave enough to go in). My GoPro got some great video footage underwater and we were able to capture some great shots, but they don't do the beach's beauty justice whatsoever.
Gelato
After our afternoon at the beach, we took another taxi back to downtown. We were dropped off at a different station this time (on the other side of downtown) so we decided to cool off with more Gelato from the same place we went to the night before. This time I decided to get one scoop of Oreo and one scoop of Hazelnut. The combination was delicious because the Hazelnut offset some of the sweetness from the Oreo.
Day 6 - 05/06/17
Armenistis Lighthouse Hike
Most of the group decided to go on a hike up to Armenistis Lighthouse. The hike was led by Professor Muller, and some of the other professors came along to help guide the way. We left the hotel at 9 a.m. and hiked about 35 minutes up a very steep incline. The lighthouse was built in 1891 and despite not being operational anymore, it provided an amazing view from the backside of the island. The hike itself was very difficult, but the view at the end made it completely worth it.
Pool Day
After our treacherous hike to the lighthouse, we came back to the hotel and had our pool day. I decided to read more of my new book Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. When it got too hot, we went in the pool to cool off. The water was very cold and very salty, but provided a refreshing break from the sun. The cool breeze also helped with the heat.
Dinner at Captain's
After our afternoon at the pool my friends and I decided to go grab a bite to eat in Downtown. We wanted to go to a nicer restaurant since it was one of our last nights in Mykonos so we went to Captain's, a restaurant close to the pier. I got the Chicken with Lemon Sauce, and it tasted amazing. The tartness of the lemon added a fresh flavor for the grilled chicken. While we were eating, we saw a group of guys walking by wearing bright orange wigs and different costumes. Funny enough, they decided to have drinks at Captain's. We learned that a stag party was the British phrase for a bachelor party in American terms. They were super nice and gave us some great insight on non-tourist things to do once we got to London. We ended up hanging out with them for a bit and then headed back to our hotel.
Most of the group decided to go on a hike up to Armenistis Lighthouse. The hike was led by Professor Muller, and some of the other professors came along to help guide the way. We left the hotel at 9 a.m. and hiked about 35 minutes up a very steep incline. The lighthouse was built in 1891 and despite not being operational anymore, it provided an amazing view from the backside of the island. The hike itself was very difficult, but the view at the end made it completely worth it.
Pool Day
After our treacherous hike to the lighthouse, we came back to the hotel and had our pool day. I decided to read more of my new book Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. When it got too hot, we went in the pool to cool off. The water was very cold and very salty, but provided a refreshing break from the sun. The cool breeze also helped with the heat.
Dinner at Captain's
After our afternoon at the pool my friends and I decided to go grab a bite to eat in Downtown. We wanted to go to a nicer restaurant since it was one of our last nights in Mykonos so we went to Captain's, a restaurant close to the pier. I got the Chicken with Lemon Sauce, and it tasted amazing. The tartness of the lemon added a fresh flavor for the grilled chicken. While we were eating, we saw a group of guys walking by wearing bright orange wigs and different costumes. Funny enough, they decided to have drinks at Captain's. We learned that a stag party was the British phrase for a bachelor party in American terms. They were super nice and gave us some great insight on non-tourist things to do once we got to London. We ended up hanging out with them for a bit and then headed back to our hotel.
Day 7 - 05/07/17
Day by the Pool
After a late night, my friends and I decided to chill out by the pool. I finished reading my book and was very pleased with the plot twist I wasn't expecting in addition to a great ending. After a while, we decided to head into downtown to celebrate our final night together in Mykonos.
Downtown
We decided to go to a restaurant in town called Paraportiani for dinner. I ordered chicken souvlaki with rice and chips. It was a cute atmosphere, but the food was only average compared to some of the other eateries we had been able to visit throughout our time in Mykonos. After dinner, we stopped at our favorite Gelarte spot for dessert. I got a scoop of Hazelnut and a scoop of Oreo since that was my favorite combination. We also finished up some last-minute souvenir shopping at some of the local stores. There was so much to choose from between different jewelers and artists offering some very unique pieces at a good price.
After a late night, my friends and I decided to chill out by the pool. I finished reading my book and was very pleased with the plot twist I wasn't expecting in addition to a great ending. After a while, we decided to head into downtown to celebrate our final night together in Mykonos.
Downtown
We decided to go to a restaurant in town called Paraportiani for dinner. I ordered chicken souvlaki with rice and chips. It was a cute atmosphere, but the food was only average compared to some of the other eateries we had been able to visit throughout our time in Mykonos. After dinner, we stopped at our favorite Gelarte spot for dessert. I got a scoop of Hazelnut and a scoop of Oreo since that was my favorite combination. We also finished up some last-minute souvenir shopping at some of the local stores. There was so much to choose from between different jewelers and artists offering some very unique pieces at a good price.