Dubai and Goodbye

Dubai

Indoor ski slope

Hotel view

Camel ride

Dinner in desert

Dancer at desert dinner

Arrived at 10pm and finally got out of airport at 11.30pm.  Great hotel but very hot.  Sea water 35c.  Pools 'cooled' to 26c.  Saw indoor ski slope.  Went on Desert Safari which was a lot of fun.  Smooth flight home

Goodbye Mykonos-Hello Athens

Friday Afternoon-Goodbye Mykonos, Athens and off to Dubai

Smooth boat trip back to Athens and the same Hotel Novus with the view and bar/pool on the roof.  Highly recommended.

Last night we went towards the Plaka and had an awfull meal.  This morning we went to the Acropoyse for a final look and we are now at the airport waiting for the flight to Dubai. 

Boat at Sinos on way back to Athens

Plati Yalis-little boat in middle ferries to paradise

Athens

Last train trip-Athens

Lifeguard at Hotel Novus

Just for the record we do not want to come home (except for catching up with the family) and looked at ways to extend.  We are already thinking of places for the next trip.  We think we are done with Greece and much of Italy but need to revisit London, Paris and lots of France.  We also want to go to Prague etc etc.  We may have to work a few more years so that we can do another big trip. 

Mykonos

Wednesday afternoon 4 July           Mykonos

Arrived in Mykonos on Sunday afternoon and quick bus to Plati Yalis.  The hotel is RIGHT on the beach and you actually carry your bags over sand.  Great view (see photos).  Beach and football final on Sunday night.  Monday we stayed in Plati Yalis and had dinner back in the main town.  Tuesday we caught a boat to Paradise Beach and today to Super Paradise.  Nice beaches and pretty busy.  A very relaxing way to wind up the Europe part of our holiday.

Tomorrow we are off to Athens then Friday off to Dubai for 2 nights.

The weather continues to be glorious!!!

And the local food, beer and wine are all pretty smart.  Certainly a huge improvement on the wines available in 1984.  The local dry Rose is particularly good as are the huge range of ‘dessert wines’.

View from hotel balcony over Plati Yalis

Another view

Euro 2012 final-packed out!

Lifeguard ready for 'action'??

Little sweet wine to have with dessert

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach

Night view from balcony

Super Paradise Beach

Super Paradise

Sunday morning-Naxos and off to Mykonos

Sunday morning-Naxos Town and beaches

We caught the boat from Paros to Naxos.  Huge boat with all types of seating-airline type plus tables, couches and outside tables and chairs.  It would have held well over a thousand people. Had a Caesar salad and the boat had arrived as it only took 50 minutes.  We caught a taxi to the hotel at St Georges Beach which is a 10 minute walk from the centre of town.  Down the beach-had a beer-back to the pool-and out for dinner as it was someone’s birthday.

We thought we found the ideal spot for dinner but alas.  Despite promises of a free glass of wine etc etc it never happened.  The food itself was ok but it reminded me of cafeteria service.  Once we were seated we were forgotten, then the ‘free’ glasses of wine didn’t come-then we had just taken the last mouthful of a really nice shared entree when the mains were upon us.  Still waiting for water and bottle of red that had been ordered when the food order was taken.  I think i cracked it a bit then and thinks did improve a little.  Certainly no tip at the end.  But it was a lovely clear night and we have had some fantastic meals in Greece.

Saturday saw us take a little bus to a beautiful beach.  5 euro chair/umbrella deal and coffee delivered to us-why can’t we do this in Australia?  Beautiful clear (crisp) water. Bit of lunch at the taverna and little nap then home for a swim, shower and out to see the sunset through the Greek ruins.

Saturday night dinner the reverse of Friday's.  Great service.  Very traditional and cost half the price.  Including glass of white each, bottle of good red plus lots of food (eg bbq'd lamb chops was 5 chops) and coffee =44 euro.

Just relaxing-even the beer comes in an ice bucket!

Naxos Town

The 'Fosters' of the Greek islands

Now sitting by pool at midday Sunday.  On the 2.30pm fast boat to Mykonos.  Finally the final of Euro2012 tonight so we will be in a bar by the beach in t-shirt and thongs with a beer in hand.  Lets hope Italy beats Spain-but then who really cares?

Sunset through the Temple of  Apollo

Some older bloke at Naxos

Young girl at Naxos

Good restaurant in Naxos

The 'Grange' of Greece?

Town Beach Naxos

See ya at the bar for the game!!!