There is no nicer way to start a morning on the Greek island of Mykonos than with an ice cold frappe. Whizzed up from fresh Greek coffee it kick starts the system in all the right ways. Now normally back home in Scotland, where the weather tends to be a little cooler, this would be a terrible way to begin the morning. There I reach for a warm soothing cup of tea, usually oolong if possible. Here in the heat of a late Greek summer, even early in the morning it’s warm, and I discovered iced coffee is the perfect refreshment.
Long before the crowds arrive you can have a front row seat, looking out across the beautiful blue sea. The light shimmers on the water, the air is peaceful, the only sound is the lapping of the soft waves on the whitewashed walls.
The old disused windmills stand with their skeleton sails gazing out to sea. No longer grinding corn to flour they stand still and silent, but soon swarms of visitors will gather around their bases, busy catching their shot of this iconic sight.
Wandering through the twisting cobbled streets at this time of the morning is very relaxing. The soft light casts beautiful angled shadows across the fresh whitewashed walls. Freshly watered basil grows happily in the dappled shade, it’s sweet scent drifting in the warming air. It’s tempting to linger, to take a seat on the woven rug, but the unknown maze of as yet unexplored paths beckons.
Little courtyards appear around surprising corners, with empty tables waiting for a new days crowd. Flowers catch the rising sun, enjoying the morning peace at the start of another inevitable hot, busy day.
Some places are still relaxing after a late night. Soon this beautifully cool shaded street will be filled with people and hot Greek sunlight. It’s tables and chairs will fill up, and the sound of relaxed holiday chatter will drift through the buildings.
Let’s head back towards the sea, through the narrow white streets. It’s time for that second frappe, sitting in Little Venice, watching the incoming crowds slowly fill up the seats. At this time in the morning we can have our pick of table, each one with different flowers and herbs, and it’s own colour scheme. This one looks good, it’s in the shade, perfect for the quickly rising heat, and their coffee is freshly ground. A perfect Mykonos good morning.
breathofgreenair 
What gorgeous shots of this idyllic place! Lovely.
Boy, I needed that in the worst way. First … it is pouring down rain here … gray, wet, dark, and miserable. Your images reminded me that it’s always sunny somewhere. Second … I just returned from what I know was a final visit with a terminally ill relative. It was quite weird and something I have not had much practice at. I’m still trying to figure it all out. Your words reminded me that it’s always sunny somewhere! Thanks for the brief escape. And, by the way … neither frappe nor tea are the morning drink of choice for me … I’m a plain-old-coffee kinda person. But my response to a cup of the warm stuff is the same as yours … ahhhhhh. D
If you had to leave Scotland, I guess it would be for Greece…ok…especially in light of those shots…yes, worth the trip. Lovely…very.
It really was, very relaxing and so pretty 🙂
what a perfect peaceful place to be….it was summer in England today in October most unusually….perhaps the warmest day now until next spring !
Wow, let’s hope for a few more warm autumn days….I had to be inside today at a fundraiser for the charity I work for…so I missed the autumn sun. Hate when that happens 🙂
Very nice, Seonaid 🙂 I love the windmill shot!
Thanks Paula, I was wandering around trying to think of how to capture these lovely old structures. They are so photographed that they are almost cliches, so I loved catching the sun behind the old wooden sail 🙂
It was a great decision 🙂
Beautiful pictures. Very inviting and refreshing!
Greek frappes are certainly refreshing, and the whitewashes streets add to that feeling. So glad you enjoyed the visit.
Wow…..dreams are made of this. Lovely silent shots. x
Thanks Caro, silent shots is the perfect description. Early morning is so peaceful here, I hope to carry the dream of that peace onwards through winter and the coming year.
Such tempting scenes! Especially when one is sitting in one clouded over and with a gale …
Have you been there in bad weather? I can hardly imagine as everyday seemed guaranteed baking sunshine, wall to wall…..very different from the daily changing weather back here at home 🙂
No, the weather I describe is what I am currently experiencing in Sunny (haha) South Africa.
Ah, now I get it 🙂
That’s not how I imagine South Africa either….do you get seasons there, or just a shifting range of weather?
At the coast, the traditional autumn doesn’t happen much – mainly evergreen. Temperatures vary from mild to hotazel-with-humidity.
So the clouded over gale is some sort of weather anomaly 🙂 Poor you, hope it improves soon. Meanwhile back in Scotland we are moving deep into autumn and her wonderful colours!
Your photos brought back very fond memories, Seonaid. You must have had a glorious time amid so much beauty.
It was very relaxing, and so pretty to the eye. Not to much to rush around and see, so a few days rest here was perfect. I think the word simplicity is the best description, but simplicity done with great taste and an eye for colour 🙂
What a beautiful wander thru your summer in Greece! Thanks for sharing – especially like the shot of the bench with basil!
I really would have been tempted to linger there in the scented shade. The colours against the white are so appealing I think, and I really love Greek coffee, despite not really drinking it back at home.
So very Greek, Seonaid. I have sat at tables just like those, with the delicate flower posie. It encapsulates the Greek experience. Love the windmill shot and that stripey woven seat is so reminiscent of a place we stayed, on Crete. 🙂
They are so good with the little details on the Greek Islands aren’t they Jo. Lovely fresh colours and flowers making a lovely ambiance. Nothing flash, just everything kept fresh with new paint and loving attention. It’s very easy to slow down here and just relax into the senses!
Looks amazing! I’m leaving for a year long trip around the world soon and Mykonos is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Thanks for sharing your photos. : )
Sounds like you’ll have a wonderful time, and Mykonos is lovely, but like all Greek Islands very hot in summer 🙂
I love the little cobbled streets and the way all the buildings seem to be whitewashed….enjoy 🙂
I LOVE my Greek Frappes 🙂
I only discovered them on this trip, and am now a huge fan. Perfect way to start a hot day. However back in Scotland I have returned to the more suitable warm tea 🙂
Ha ha! Yeah that’ll be me too when we get home.
It looks idyllic, and I’d be out there before the crowds like you. Have a wonderful time!
It really is idyllic, but we are now back home, in the soft fading light of autumn. Putting the post together was a great reminder of the summer, and our time in Greece 🙂 Happy frappe memories!