SUNDAY 24TH – RHODES

Rhodes turned out to be really interesting even though it was a replacement port for our inability to go to Istanbul. It has it all, a relatively flat old town easily accessible from the port surrounded by an extensive wall and a beach just a slightly longer walk away. Most of the town was in great shape but some of it was in an advanced state of dilapidation.

The island of Rhodes, on which the town of Rhodes is located at the northern tip, is apparently considered the most beautiful and has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The bit we saw was certainly nice. We have to take the tourism brochure's word for the rest of it.

 

 

The island is one of the Greek islands very close to Turkey so has no doubt seen more than its share of controversy about control.

 

One characteristic of the locals which stands out, perhaps more than anywhere else we have visited so far, is their persistence. Taxi drivers and cafe operators were very keen to try and convince us to use their services.

 

It's a tough job but somebody has to do it otherwise the tourism economy would grind to a halt (as it perhaps has in Turkey). As you can see, the beach was very popular, which I guess is fair enough for a Sunday, but it is a gravel beach – very hot. Shoes are essential.

 

 

Tomorrow we wake up in Santorini, said to be the most spectacular of the Greek Islands. Rhodes is the most beautiful but Santorini is said to be the most spectacular. Work that out.