European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Lazy Days and Lively nights a tourist pats the head of one of my Konos unofficial mascots. By j. King Cruger Mediterranean Bureau my Konos is an Aegean Island of thatched windmills of blindingly White cubist cottages of streets barely 5 feet wide of Silver Sand beaches of tavernas open to the Star filled sky and wild nightlife staggering on until Dawn. My Konos is Bliss and those who adore the Gem in the Cyclades can t understand Why anyone would want to go elsewhere. It was t always so. Until the 1950s, my Konos was an All but ignored Island mainly visited for its proximity to. The vast open air museum on Delos sacred Island of Antiquity. Once it was discovered by the Quot smart Quot set my Konos found itself on the itinerary of every cruise ship steaming across Homer s wine dark sea and took its rightful place As one of the world s most fashionable resorts. My Konos has a reputation As an expensive Island populated mostly by a Gay clientele. It is neither. My Konos is expensive Only when compared with other less sophisticated islands in Greece but its prices Are exceedingly Low when set alongside Quality resorts elsewhere in the Mediterranean. My Konos initially became known As an up Market vacation spot for homosexuals. That lasted for some years until the Island began to get better known. Now my Konos still attracts a considerable number of Gay Holiday makers but their presence is not overwhelming. My Konos has a considerable Art Colony attracted by the Island s fiercely penetrating Light. This is sunglasses country no doubt about it and the Only Way to escape the Glare is to plunge into the labyrinth of spider web passageways going off in All directions through my Konos town the old town s Maze was set up to Cut off the wind and to confuse pirates a and it takes modern Day marauders a while to get their bearings. Tiny my Konos a 35 Square Miles of Barren Rock a is dead quiet during the afternoon siesta hours when nearly everyone is at one of the Island s exquisite beaches tucked mostly into snug Cliff sheltered coves. Public nudity is illegal in Greece although in practice you would never think so on my Konos. The Island has several nude beaches the most popular being Paradise and super Paradise patronized respectively by straight and Gay crowds. Sunset time is special in my Konos town where a number of bars in the venetian Quarter have West facing balconies overhanging the sea. Classical music streams from a first class sound system in the Wood beamed Montparnasse bar. There a super Strong Gin and toniccosts-$3.75 expensive by my Konos standards and is Good value for the Money. There Are plenty of dining options in the _ neighbourhood where drying octopus Dangle from overhead lines at a number of alfresco Seaside restaurants. Give a miss however to the Sundown Taverna rude waiters and extremely poor service and patronize instead one of the other eateries along the waterfront. Octopus swordfish Mullet baby squid and Anonymous but delicious Quot Small fish Quot Are their specialities. A sumptuous seafood repast with wine won t run More than $20 a head. The town s open spaces double As outdoor restaurants where folks feasting on roast Lamb and suckling pig Are. Often startled by a visit from tame pelicans the town s mascots. After dinner stroll through the Skinny streets of my Konos town which Are chock Block with Chic a boutiques. Jewelry and handmade sweaters and sandals Are Good buys. You can take your time a the stores Don t close until around Midnight. That s about the time that Myron is with its anything goes attitude really starts to hum. The scandinavian bar sprawling through two  around a Patio is a great place to meet people from All Over the world. Ditto for the Irish bar. English is the Island s common language. The Rainbow disco plays great sounds and charges $1.50 for a Beer. All the town s bars and discos close at 2 . But Don t despair the party is far from Over As revellers head in Masse for the yacht club in the port. The yacht club is where everyone goes for the party after the party. A Beer costs a Buck and the jumping joint does t close until 8 . Then it s Beach time and another Day of Island life begins. T my Konos is knee deep in tourists in August the Best times to visit Are from april to june and mid september through october. My Konos has an Airport serving both Domestic and International flights. Frequent and inexpensive ferry service links my Konos with other greek islands and the Mainland. Some of the streets winding through the town of my Konos Are barely 5 feet wide. Patrons of the Rainbow disco form a swirling mass that remains in motion into the morning s wee hours. 6 stripes Magazine july 25, 1991