Day 11 Rhodes, Greece

Medieval Walls of Rhodes Port

Today we docked in the medieval city of Rhodes.  This is the port were the Colossus of Rhodes once stood,  This 31 meter high statue was destroyed in an earthquake in 226 BC.  The fortification walls and towers are the first thing you notice now as you enter the port.  If I understand correctly, the castle and fortifications were built by the Knights Templar during the Crusades. 

Lady of Filerimos Church

Ray needed a rest today so I went off on the tour of Rhodes on my own.  The tour didn't meet until 10:30AM so we got to sleep a little later this morning.  Once on the bus we drove along yet another coastline.  This one was mostly beautiful beaches broken occasionally by villages.   Our first stop was on Mount Filerimos.  the name means "they want to be alone", and it was named this because of the monastery that was built on top of the mountain.  First there was a temple to Athena, and the ruins f this are still visible.  A  small Greek Orthodox church was built behind the ruins and a monastery behind and to the side of the church.   These are no longer in use, except as a tourist attraction.  There is a lovely tree-canopied path leading up to the monastery and weddings are often held in the courtyard at the end.

Lois on steps to Cross on Filerimos

Opposite the path to the monastery is another path.  The stations of the cross are spaced along the path and there is a large cross at the end.  There is a spectacular view from the cross overlooking the island and both the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

From there we boarded the bus and headed across the island to Kallitheas Bay to visit Kallithea Springs.  They say Hippocrates recommended the healing powers of the water here.  The current facilities were inaugurated by the Italians in 1929.  After being abandoned for many years the structures were renovated and reopened in 2007.  Brochures claim that there is recent scientific proof of the curative powers of the springs.  All I can say is, the buildings, floors, and gardens are beautiful.  As you enter, the floors are made with pebbles, placed carefully by hand to create art in the floor. From the main pavilion you walk down marble stairs to the gardens and springs..

Kallithea Springs

Our last stop was at a 5-star hotel along the beach for  "local mezes and wine."  Mezes are the Greek version of tapas, small portions of food meant to be eaten when you are having a few drinks.   The only thing is, for our tour this was set up like a buffet and it turned out to be enough for a full lunch.   The food was all Greek recipes, things like fish, mussels, calamari, stuffed grape leaves, stuffed cabbage, cheeses, salads, etc.   Unfortunately for me, I didn't care for much beyond the cheese.

Navigator of the Seas

This was a short tour today.  The bus dropped us off at the port about 2:45PM.   Some of the group went to walk through the old town and the castle, but I just stopped in a souvenir shop and then returned to the ship.  I found Ray in our room and we went downstairs for a Ben & Jerry's.  Now I've downloaded the photos for today and written this blog entry, it's time to get ready for dinner.   I'll go online to post this later tonight.