September 21, 2024
Rhodes, Greece
Sunny high 80 degrees and breezy
We docked in Rhodes harbor at 7 AM and were cleared to depart by 7:30. We were up and breakfasted (the usual) and ready to meet our guide by 8:30. We chose the included tour which was a walk through the old town to the Palace, then free time in the city. Our guide was an Archeologist with a PhD from the University of Athens. His name is Nick, and he is a native of the Island.
Our guide at the entrance to the walled city. Note the shield of Mary in the middle, John the Baptist on the left and Peter on the right.
We walked along the harbor to the city gates as Nick explained the 2500 year History of the island. Of course, the Colossus of Rhodes was explained. The modern thought is that it did not straddle the Harbor. The people in those days were a bit smarter than that in an earthquake zone. Plus, that would have been an enormous engineering effort. The thought now is that it was built on the hill where the Grand Master of the Knights of Saint John’s Palace stands. That makes a lot of sense. Also the reason that the “remains” of the fallen statue were never found is that looters and pirates salvaged the bronze and recycled it . This story makes a lot more sense than the popular pictures we see in the books of myth and fancy. We passed windmills and entered the city through the Sea Gate, one of 7 gates in this walled city of 4 square miles.
Once inside the walls, the character turned dramatically medieval. Cobbled streets, stone buildings, and coats of arms greeted our company as we made our way to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John (the Hospitallers).
Back in the day, pilgrims would come to Rhodes on their way to and from the Holy Land. The Knights gave them hospitality according to their native tongue (language) and so, on this street--there was the tongue of Aragon, the tongue of France and a few others – an Englishman would find food, and lodging at the tongue of England for instance. They also had a Hospital – everything free of charge. They made their money taxing imports.
The Palace of the Grand Master was heavily damaged by war and explosions. It was rebuilt in the 1930’s by the Italian government who also renovated the walls and other medieval edifices. We toured the Palace. It was pretty neat. It had lots of mosaic floors, period furnishings and portraits of the 19 Grand Masters that lived there.
After the tour, we had free time and strolled through the old town, which was in actuality one big mini-mall of local shops, eateries, and hotels. Naturally we bought a few things
We made our way back to the Ship for a rest and lunch (Salmon and Bouillabaisse). I took this picture of the harbor that shows the mountains of Turkey, our next stop.
Then we got bored and ventured back into the old town where we met some friends and did a bit more shopping.
Shirley, some bougainvillea, and the port of Rhodes.
A medieval fountain – had to take a selfie
And finally, the Watchcats of Rhodes. There were many cats in evidence, but these looked down on the throng of shoppers suspiciously. Luckily, we passed muster and were permitted to return to the ship.
Shirley’s take—First, I had a banana peanut butter smoothie at breakfast. I love Rhodes and would love to return!! It is beautiful. The Palace was reconstructed by the king of Italy for his prime minister and his best friend Benito Mussolini as a summer home. It was finished in 1940 but, alas, WWII had begun and Mussolini never visited it. But it is really beautiful.
We did a bit of shopping and saw beautiful kitty cats! Returned to the ship for lunch. Bouillabaisse was soup of the day. It was OK, but I really enjoyed my salmon in parchment with lemon butter sauce. After resting, we returned to town and did a bit more shopping. I found a lovely piece of local art.
We got back to the ship in good time, blogged a bit then went to the port talk. Then we were off to the Explorer Lounge where we met some new friends from Seattle and chatted. Dinner at the main restaurant and back to the veranda to watch the coast of Turkey pass by in the sun set.
Oh – and 11081 steps and 5 flights of stairs Anna (getting better)
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