Greece with Grace. (Mykonos)

GREECE

             

As I flew from the Boston airport after dropping my son Elijah Kahleo off at Berklee College of Music, I felt a mix of emotions. I felt so proud of my son’s accomplishment. I felt so proud of myself and my husband for all the early mornings, long talks, school meetings, doctors’ appointments, football games, baseball games, water polo and wrestling. All the time and love and guidance that had gotten him off to college. 

We now were exhausted from setting up his dorm room and trying to make sure that he was comfortable and safe before we embarked off onto our new adventure.

After speaking with a close girlfriend that had dropped her daughter off at NYU the year before, I knew what I had to do. She spoke of having something inspirational to do. Something that would remind you that you're still alive. That your job here on the earth is not done. There is a next chapter to this beautiful novel, and it is called your life. I knew that I needed to do something inspirational as well, so I booked a trip to Greece. It was really full circle for me. I had been to Greece in my 20's. It was a few years before I got married and became a mother. When I was free of responsibility, obligation and parental duties. I felt that I really needed to go back.  I don't know why, but it was like a calling. We would first go to Mykonos and then to Santorini.

As the plane landed in Mykonos after a very long journey through Frankfort and Athens, I could see the Blue Island, the white buildings, and the glistening, blue ocean. Mykonos was faster and less romantic than Santorini 20 years before. Now I craved some excitement and distraction. On the flight over I woke from a very deep sleep, and I realized I had just left my son in Boston. From a primal level, it felt so wrong. I just started to cry this deep, sad, weeping cry. And then my husband walked over. He was returning from the bathroom. I didn't realize he was awake, and he saw me and just held me. We've taken turns crying throughout this journey. Please don't get me wrong, we are both so thrilled. Berklee College of Music is one of the most difficult music schools in the world to get into. We can't shut us up, we're so proud. But this change is heartbreaking. I wiped my tears and smiled as I looked out at the beautiful island and our new life, our new adventure.

First off, driving in Mykonos is absolutely crazy! I can't even imagine what it is like in June, July, and August. There are small motorbikes, ATVs, fast cars and huge buses flying all over. All are tourists who don't have an idea of what they're doing and are not wearing helmets. It is crazy. The town is a beautiful mix of white and dark blue stone buildings and cobblestone roads. Ladies, if you're going to wear a heel here, make sure it is a heel and not a wedge. You will slide if you're wearing wedges. At night the ground can become moist, and you will need to hold your girlfriend’s, husband's, and/or partner's arm. We stayed at the most beautiful hotel, the Myconian Ambassador Hotel. We booked the honeymoon suite. I can't tell you how gorgeous the view is. Absolutely stunning.

 This hotel is away from town, about a 15 minute drive. There's a beach below that is hustling and bustling and very alive but nothing like the town, which is quieter and more serene and beautiful. The hotel has the most beautiful spa I think I've ever been to besides maybe Miiamo in Sedona at the Enchantment Resort. It has three beautiful baths. One is full of seawater and lavender, the other olive oil in seawater, and the last is a gigantic Jacuzzi light system where you rotate through different types of jets for different parts of the body. It truly is an experience. The massage that we received there was amazing. So therapeutic and yet so relaxing. I would highly recommend this hotel. The restaurant at the hotel is stunning. It sits outside around the most beautiful swimming pool. The pool is lit and has a deep blue bottom that is really breathtakingly gorgeous.

The thing that was so shocking to me about Mykonos was the women. From breakfast, lunch, and dinner in town and to the beaches out of town, I could not believe the resort wear and the fashion, and the style was impeccable. These women were from all over the world, but they had come to Mykonos to dress! They were so fashion forward. They owned it, and they weren't afraid. They were women. I suddenly felt like a little girl in my short cover-up. In town I couldn't believe how beautiful the women were. I think Mykonos has the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life. Every corner I turn, there was another beautiful face tanned from the day. The bodies. The bodies I could not believe, but the faces! I know it must sound so shallow, but I am telling you, these Greek women were so beautiful. These were beautiful women from all over the world, and they had come to the best resort town.

Here are the hours of Mykonos. You wake up around 10 to have breakfast. Breakfast was a buffet of the most amazing fruits, yogurts, delicacies, and the freshest salmon I've ever experienced. Then it's poolside or beach side. It's up to you. We rented a jet ski one day. The next day we went to Scorpios beach. This is an unbelievable spot. There are bouncers at the door, and you must be dressed to go to this beach club. There are four post beds along the beach for rent, and some of the best music I've ever heard. And a glistening gorgeous blue Mediterranean Sea to cool off in. And trust me, you must cool off in it. During the day, it is too hot to be in the sun. You must find shade and/or be in the water.

This is something that blew my mind about Greece…they can make the most amazing margarita. I was shocked. Traditional, just like I like it: Don Julio Anejo, Cointreau, fresh lime juice. That's no sugar and no sweetener. We'd brought our own bottle of tequila, because we didn't think Greece would have tequila. And we certainly did not think that they would know how to make our drink. I just have to say, I was completely in shock. It was perfect. And that could be dangerous. Because as Blake will tell you, if I have more than one margarita, I am in rare form. This being said, Scorpios was very sophisticated, very lavish and not a place to get out of hand by any means. I had one cocktail. On the way back, we found a small beach to swim at…there was no one there. It's very liberating to take off your bathing suit top, and all the Greek women do so. So when in Greece, I follow. It was private, it was empty and the water was warm.

Our second evening and favorite restaurant was at Avlio. Our waiter was amazing. After dinner, he gave us a drink called Tentura, which is made of clove and cinnamon. It is a digestive. It also is an aphrodisiac. He gave us the bottle and told us that we must finish the entire thing. We told him we don't like to drink that much. But he insisted, and he was serious. We began to drink the small bottle looking at each other scared. We even gave a shot to the small tree on our table. Again, did I mention we were scared? After many giggles and an amazing evening (I won't go into any more detail), we fell asleep. I was afraid I'd wake up with a hangover, but I have to say I woke up feeling amazing. I felt like Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. Do you remember that scene? She wakes up really happy. I know he basically raped her, (not OK) but I'm just saying she woke up really happy, and so did I. So I found my new favorite digestive.

Our waiter also showed us a secret beach on the map. The next day we rented a car, and we are off to our next adventure to find the secret beach. It was about a 45 minute drive, and it was past Elia Beach. I won't tell you where it is because it is a secret, but there is a small bridge involved and about a 15 minute hike down a mountain. But once we got down it was a dream beach! Amazing blue! 

 

There were three people on the beach when we arrived. Two were a couple. They were naked. Later another couple arrived. They also got undressed. Both couples were so far away from us on opposite ends, we could barely see them. My husband began to feel really stupid. He said I feel like a stupid American. I asked him why, and he said because of our clothes on. I can take my top off if that makes you feel better. He said no. I mean, I think that couple’s British, and they're naked. The other couple must have been Greek. The man I called the Adonis. He was a perfect specimen. I mean perfect. What little I could see of him. I told my husband…if you want to, we can get naked. My husband said just wait a minute. He had to get up his bravery. It was hilarious. Next thing I know, we were naked. And guess what? No one even look at us or cared. Mykonos and Santorini are made for lovers! People go there after they get married for their honeymoons. Baby moons. 50th birthdays. They could not care less about you. They're there on a blissful mission. I have to say, being naked on the beach felt absolutely liberating, especially swimming. It made us feel young and free.

That evening we decided to go into town. We were excited to have dinner at Nobu. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing. After making the movie East Side Sushi and working with some of the best sushi chefs in the bay area, I feel I have a very high standard for sushi. And the art of it. I must also add that we go to Nobu in Malibu often. We love Nobu in Malibu. It's exceptional. So I had high expectations. The hotel Belvedere is absolutely gorgeous. And so we really had a high expectations of Nobu. The food was bland. The fish was not so fresh. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. It was just very disappointing. And extremely expensive. As Nobu is. And you don't mind paying for it, because it's always the freshest and the best fish. This time not so good. So Nobu, we give you a thumbs down for Mykonos Nobu. 

The next evening we went to M-eating Restaurant for dinner. Absolutely beautiful restaurant. Very popular in Mykonos! I have to say, the food was good, and it was fresh. I had a Greek salad and bass. It's a great restaurant. I would go again.

The following morning we returned the car and caught our plane outta there. We headed off to Santorini!! We really had a blast in Mykonos!!

Things to bring.

Coola organic sun screen. Indah dresses.
Vitamin A.
Bathing Suits.
Deep hair conditioner. The salt water is tough on your hair.
Wear flats or heels. No wedges.