Falling in Love

Wednesday October 5 2011,

Another fabulous adventure kind of day. We started early as we have most days so far. I was up by 5:15 am and ready for the next little gem we might uncover in this wonderful place they call Greece. Today we were docking at Rhodes and doing an explore of the island before we were turned loose in the main bazaar. I was enchanted as we approached the island just at dawn and the walls of the city gleamed in the rosy light . A large part of the city was enclosed by fortress walls and a huge castle stood looking out to sea. I could imagine ancient watchmen sending out the cry of an approaching vessel. In reality the port already had two big cruise ships and another soon joined us. We rode a bus about 60 km to the town of Lindos. There, perched on a hillside, a large walled acropolis, on the highest eastern cliff of the town, was incredible. The land just looked like a big pile of rocks but somehow there were fertile spots where trees and gardens were growing. The fortress was used as the movie set for the movie Guns of Navarro. I will have to see that movie again. This is the part of the world where celebrities buy property. Our guide pointed out Pink Floyd's house which was right next to the ancient theatre carved into the hill side of the little town. I wonder if he has ever performed there just for fun. Today was the first day we have been really inconvenienced by strikes in Greece. The archeological sites were all closed today as a protest for the huge wage cuts workers have all received. That meant we could only look at the Acropolis from below but were not able to tour it as had been the plan. Sigh,oh well more time for down town. We walked to a little bay where, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul had landed here and taught the people before leaving Rhodes. It was a beautiful little harbour. The morning sun was already warm and there were people swimming in the crystal clear water. After wandering through the shops and winding streets with their lazy cats, potted plants and gated ornamental door ways we climbed the hill to board the bus and head back to the capital city of Rhodes. The walled fortress is bigger than any we have seen. It had two walled moats to cross before you reached the enclosed city. I guess the only way to penetrate it was with help from a traitor, which was how the Turks finally succeeded overtaking the city. It was at the time of the crusades when the castle was being protected by St. John's knights. Our guide told us the fascinating story and then how the gunpowder that had been hidden by the traitor was never found but lead to the destruction of a huge part of the city, hundreds of years later, when it exploded.

The Bazaar was two long streets of shops with wonderful things to buy if you wanted brand name clothes, expensive jewelry, classy foot wear, leather coats, beautiful linens and then all the touristy souvenirs. If you had a big shopping budget there were lots of great buys but just looking was also quite entertaining. The old town area was filled with character and around every corner was another interesting scene. We had an afternoon filled with just soaking up the charm of the place. I think I sort of fell in love for I felt a tug of regret at having to go so soon when the ship pulled away from the harbour and we watched this little spot of intrigue slip from our view.