Mykonos to Syros
Show on MapI now know what a Meltemi wind is. For the past 10 days it's been full on, continuously NW wind up to 40 knots. Most boats stay in port but oh no, not us!
I finally found Ian in Ios searching the bays for something and instead found lots of young NZers and Aussies working here for the summer. Was great to watch live the Bledisloe cup in the local sports bar with a lot of them from both countries. The wind keeps us in port here but after two days we have seen the island on motor bikes, eaten several times at the Octopus Tree Café with the octopus literally hanging in the tree, and sunbathed on the beach which Ian never does so its time to move.
The wind is less around 5 in the morning according to the local fisherman, so it's up early and a 20 miler to our next island of Paros. Never quite ending up where we intended to go, we make for the sheltered bay of Alyki on the southern end. Paros has some of the best golden sand beaches around and is famous for its white marble. I am fascinated by all the white marble; they build everything including fence walls and the break water at Pisso Livadi Marina with it. We missed the Olympians as they haven't arrived yet, but they have a great place to train and of course plenty of wind. May we wish them all the very best.
Once again it's an early dash across to the island of Naxos and time for a little land therapy. A bus ride into the mountains to visit Apiranthos, a village built entirely of marble; houses, streets, cemetery, you name it its marble. Lunch and back to the windy coast where the boat sits in the port right on the promenade. We enjoy Naxos Chora waterfront and in the old town we find a jazz bar with great music.
We could have stayed longer but checking the internet café for weather information we have one more average day and then its going to really blow. Our destination is Mykonos and the wind is on the nose, probably the trip we shouldn't have done, but we make it or should I say the lone sailor Ian made it as Janey and I are hiding in our bunks.
There is no way we can make it to the main town on the north side as its blowing 40 knots. Approaching Ormos Ornos we spy mega power boats anchored stern to in a cove, so we are cheeky and small enough to slip inside them all and find great shelter. We are very glad to be here as it's as far north as we go. It's still blowing hard but blue cloudless skies and sunny days it's still fabulous.
I have read a lot about Mykonos, good and bad, so heres another one eyed report. This is a place for the rich and famous, straight or gay all having a great holiday. There is nothing to do here except sunbath/party at Super Paradise beach and then dress up for the evening parade in the old town which doesn't start till mid night. At 2am its disco time at Space (entry $AUD 40) or Cavo Paradiso ($AUD 75). At Bar Uno we chatted to Greek Australian actor Nick Giannopoulos (from the Wog Boy) who visits here for 4 weeks every year.
The boat sits in clear blue cool water and the super yacht paid hands don't mind keeping an eye on ours while we explore the island. 
We loved our few days here while the wind settled down and we are now on our way to Siros the capital of the Cyclades, for a little more culture.
Its only 20 miles and the meltemi has started to abate and in the town square only 100 metres from the yacht there's a live Greek Concert tonight. With a line up of 10 mandolins and 8 singers it's a fabulous night till we eat at the Aussie Greek Rip off Restaurant in the square. He mentions connections to the Bulldogs, maybe that says it all.
Janey leaves us on the fast ferry tomorrow morning at 4am ,just as well we don't have far to walk.