Days 118-119, Rhodes, Greece and Day of Rest

Tuesday, October 7, 2014, Day of Rest

We are once again in Marmaris, Turkey after a day excursion yesterday to Rhodes, Greece.  Our plan today.....nothing...except a little laundry and lounging by the pool.  We leave again tomorrow morning, so we have a little travel planning to do as well.

Monday, October 8, 2014, Day 188 - Ancient Rhodes - A DETOUR TO GREECE

Rhodes is a Greek Island only an hour away on a fast ferry 18 kilometers southwest of Turkey, and 460 kilometers southeast of Athens.   Our plan was to visit the ruins of the Acropolis of Monte Smith and Apollo Temple on the Agean Sea side of the island and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old walled city.

We arrived early enough at 10:00 am to accomplish our plan, but were thwarted by a long wait through passport control.  The ferry held several hundred people, most from the EU but about as many from Turkey, USA, Canada, and none EU countries.  There were three windows, 2 for EU, 1 for non-EU.  Once the EU folks were processed, the other windows opened for the rest of us.  By the time we got out of the terminal it was 11:45!  Ouch!  Our ferry would return to Mararmis at 4:30 and if the check in back to Turkey requiring Visa proof was anything like the check-out then we should return about 3:30, leaving less than 4 hours for exploration. Unfortunateley, we had to shave off a part of the plan.

Deciding to just explore the walled city of Rhodes, we set off, enjoying one of the most beautiful old cities in the world.  Many and different civilizations have all left their mark on the island.  "The imposing Medieval Castle, through which the life of the old City unfolds, the Byzantine temples, the Knights' buildings, the stone paved streets, the mosques, the Jewish synagogue, the orthodox churches, the squares, traditional shops, all come together with their different cultures and civilizations, forming a complex mosaic." Tourist Brochure

Rhodes Town is the Knights Capital.  The grand master's palace is starkly grand and beautiful with high arched ceilings, massive stone hearths, courtyard, and well preserved floor mosaics.

The streets of Rhodes are made of flat sided river rocks, but set in the sand tightly sideways, making walking a bit difficult.

Narrow alleys with buttressed arches keep the buildings from toppling during earthquakes.  All of it is intriguing and picturesque.

The town is a busy sea port, a crossroads between the Mediterranean, Aegean, and the coasts of the Middle East.  The water is clear blue green and the coastline spectacular.

The Mythical Sirens Called this Boat on the Rocks

 Our day, albeit short, was an appetizer for more, and we will definitely need to return here in the future, for more relaxation....maybe on a boat!

All is Well with Worrall Travel R's by the pool in Marmaris, Turkey.