ISLAND LIFE 

Ios is an island known for its partying, far-out beach club pool parties and beautiful private hidden away beaches. It is not for the faint hearted and is full of people I feel are just as crazy if not even more so than myself. Eat, sleep, rave, repeat is a massive part of life here but there is also the best food I have ever eaten, hidden private beaches, infinity pools, cocktail bars, the friendliest people and so much culture. Life in Greece really is a dream.  

My best friend Emily met her partner Jon when visiting Ios back in 2013. She fell madly in love with him and with the island and Jon - and then basically never left. They spend every Europe summer here (May-October) running and working from the bars they own and then live back in Australia the remaining months of the year. 

It has its pros and cons like any place and I do miss parts of Christchurch, but how many people can say they have lived a Summer in Greece. Here are some of my most asked questions so far, if you have any more let me know. I will write some more again soon about daily life in more details and include more photos. 

What am I doing here?
Ever since my first visit to Ios in 2014 when I did my OE I have always said I would come back a season and work. I have finally made that dream a reality and brought myself back. Yes I am working! So I am working in one of Jon’s bars its called Circus Bar… and it is a completely crazy time. Some nights I feel like I am out of a coyote ugly movie scene dancing on the bar, serving drinks, singing, dancing etc, basically being paid to have a fun time and keep people hyped up (and I love to party so its so fun).
Other nights I get a little sassy and have to push past annoying drunk, people who yell Swedish at at me, try grab my bum and stand on my feet… but I actually love it so much. (Being 6 foot blonde, I am spoken to in Swedish almost every night which is actually quite funny, sometimes I nod and pretend I am Swedish just for fun + Ive learnt some Swedish words to say back). 

Almost my entire work team is Australians and everyone I work with is so super nice and friendly I feel so lucky to have one of the best jobs on the island at the coolest place. The people I work with are just like me who have ‘regular’ jobs back home - teachers, therapists, electricians back in their hometown, but are living in Ios for a new experience and adventure filled Summer. 

I basically work every night and then during the days I go to the beach, lie by a pool and just enjoy the island. 

Here is our work team at a recent 'Beach' themed party night, I dressed up as a pink mermaid. 

How did I afford it?
I only paid for my flights here and then I have been living off the money I make while I am here. I could have saved more if I had more time and tried to do some more travel while in Europe, but you can’t do it all and I have travelled Europe before and that wasn’t my purpose for coming. So I am just spending time in Greece, I can’t complain though, its the most beautiful one place to be. 

Do you make lots of money?
No not at all, but its not about that. Its a lifestyle and experience choice. I make kind-of just enough to live on here, and you don’t need much besides food and drinks as there isn’t really anything else to buy. Its non materialistic on the island which is a refreshing change. 

Are you coming back to New Zealand?
Yes, I will be back again soon. The dates are kind of depending on some of my future work to come, but I will be back before Christchurch Cup and Show week (whooohooo) and for Summer… hopefully I can keep my tan until then. 

Where do I live? 
I stayed with Emily and Jon when I first moved here and now I live with one of my new besties on the island, Nat! 

If you follow me on Instagram or snapchat you would of seen in Nat in some of my snaps and photos. We met here in Greece, she is from Sydney and we just clicked. 

We work together at Circus and we found a little one bedroom place together that we room share. Its nothing flash, its old and smells kind of musty haha but we are making it our own and it has a lot of character. I will take you on a tour of my house in another blog post (what little there is to see). 

Whats happening with my website? 
I have the most amazing people to help me while I am away. Sam - you may have seen her on my Instagram or Facebook page, Sam helps me with orders and social media etc and then my amazing Mum! Mum has always been the one doing the hard yards. By that I mean the washing and ironing… I am a shocking house wife or home base. I can’t really cook or clean and I definitely can’t wash and iron well. My Mum has always helped me with the garment care and ensuring that when something is sent out to you its been washed ironed/steamed and is coming to you in great condition. 

I am also making some more T-shirts, they are on pre order at the moment and will be available from early August - YAY! 

Will I be doing more with my shop?
YES! I have some exciting things planned for the future and some new ideas I will be working on again when I get back to New Zealand, so standby for more! 

If you have any other questions for my next posts please do let me know as I would love to include them!

Until then - much love, M x