Rhodes

Rhodes
Nov 17

Today was the island of Rhodes. This is a very popular tourist island in the summer, but a lot of the hotels and shops are now closed for the season. Of course, we found an entire bazaar in the old town of Rhodes to shop in.

Before I go any farther, I want to mention that we have found a Starbucks not only in Athens, but Mykonos and Kusadasi and I am told there is one in the new town of Rhodes, which we didn't see today.

Today's tour was an island tour of Rhodes, we saw both sides of this small island. In it's days of greatest power, Rhodes was famous for their impressive sculpture, like the huge bronze Colossus, which stood at the entrance to the harbor. Created to honor the sun god Helios, it was at least 110 feet high and considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Unfortunately it only stood for 56 years before an earthquake toppled it in 224 BC! The huge fragments remained half submerged for another nine centuries, then a scarp dealer finally carried the pieces away for 900 camels. Go figure! We did see where they think it stood however. I am finding that a lot of history here is where the people THINK these things were. Who knows if it is right or wrong...so we just choose to believe them!

Al went with us today and did very well. His legs are back to normal size (not Al size) and he feels pretty good. I however, am having a bout with vertigo...ugh! I don't know if it is the movement of the ship, or just the right time of year for me to have vertigo....I seem to get it about this time every year lately. However, it is not stopping me from seeing and doing things.

After our island tour on a trolley, we toured the old town. Most of it is medieval, in the image of the Knights of St. John. Very interesting and the streets are cobblestone, so it wasn't an easy walk. Jack and Suzi went through the Palace of the Grand Masters which contained some beautiful mosaic pieces. Al and I opted out since there were a lot of stairs and we started walking through old town. Jack and Suzi caught up with us later as we really took our time and poked our noses in to many shops. It reminded us a little of Saudi's souks. We all stopped for a pizza and beer which was excellent. Al was on the hunt for a loaf of local bread, which we finally found. Also I purchased some gifts here...prices were fairly good and the merchants weren't pushy like so many we have found on other islands.

Tomorrow is Santorini....then a day at sea (finally a rest) and then Naples and Pompeii, then our trip will be over! Wow---can't believe we have been gone 10 days already! How time flies.

So until tomorrow, after Santorini..........we are cruzin!