It had been twenty years
since I had taken a Mediterranean beach holiday and I had forgotten how
friendly they can be.
Maybe it's because of the Mediterranean itself with its hot languid days, gorgeous seafood and laid back attitude. Whatever it is, you can see peoples stress drop away on a Greek island as their life in Hamburg, Lyon, or London seems far far away. Life revolves around the day on the beach, followed by nights living it up to the early hours.
Not a bad life, even if its just for two weeks. And the relaxed attitude extends towards others. The gay scene is pretty small on Mykonos. Those you saw on the beach today are probably at one of the 'Little Venice' cocktail bars in the evening. And later on, about a eleven o'clock they head for Porta. A nod and a hello and you have made a friend from Madrid or Stockholm. And if you are there a week you can make a great many friends.
Maybe it's because of the Mediterranean itself with its hot languid days, gorgeous seafood and laid back attitude. Whatever it is, you can see peoples stress drop away on a Greek island as their life in Hamburg, Lyon, or London seems far far away. Life revolves around the day on the beach, followed by nights living it up to the early hours.
Not a bad life, even if its just for two weeks. And the relaxed attitude extends towards others. The gay scene is pretty small on Mykonos. Those you saw on the beach today are probably at one of the 'Little Venice' cocktail bars in the evening. And later on, about a eleven o'clock they head for Porta. A nod and a hello and you have made a friend from Madrid or Stockholm. And if you are there a week you can make a great many friends.
Segment two of the great Mykonian 'bar hop' is 'Porta'. This is where it gets serious and gay men of all ages and nationalities start networking. Everybody heads here and it can get very crowded. It's tucked away and from the waterfront take the alley next to 'Precious Jewels'. At its start is a Greek icon shop, as you move down the passage gets narrow and blocked by an open air fish grill. Where the 3ft wide alley bends is 'Portas' which is built on three levels and run by a mad old Greek fag hag. There is a touch of the seventies about 'Porta' (this was Mykonos' heyday). The turntables play danceable pop and its 4 euros for an ouzo. Which for Mykonos is very good value.
No one goes there before 11pm and between then and about 1am the place gets so busy that people stand in the alley. This can get congested but it also means it is easier to talk to people. It's also a bit of a fashion show so wear your best glad rags and adopt a bit of European attitude.
It's a good place to go with friends, or make new ones. Even at the start of the night you may be on your own. I can guarantee you will get to know others as the night progresses. It's that kind of plac
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