Thursday in Rhodes

Here we are to what turned out to be one of my most favorite days of our Trip.We had such a full and hot day in Ephesus we struggled to get out of bed that morning. But the ship docked at Rhodes Greece, a little Island that’s closer to Turkey than Greece.

SO, After a big breakfast on the Lido deck, we were off the boat the moment the door opened. We had nothing planned, so we got off the boat hoping to find something amazing to do.

Things started off slowly.

Lots of places to rent a car.

But a lovely view of an ancient port.

A ways down the rode we found one of those double-Decker tour buses. We thought it would be a good place to start. The bus made stops all around the island.
Our little Anna was excited to get going.

We drove up to the Ancient Acropolis of Rhodes. On our way we passed the ancient stadium.

The Acropolis. It wasn’t as well taken care of/ rebuilt as the one in Athens.

From this point on the island it was just beautiful!!!

The waters were so beautiful!

Chairs for rent. 10 Euro an hour.

Ancient statues everywhere.

We got off of the bus, thinking that we would get back on again. We were ready to get into the water. We had never been at a beach quite like this one. It was pebbley, not sandy.

No sand, just smooth rocks and smooth sea glass.

It didn’t hurt to walk on. It wasn’t as soft as sand, but it was much more comfy than I thought it would be.

It was here that we saw our first topless lady.
Anna blushed.

Near this beach there were huge luxury hotels.

The boardwalk was covered in mosaics made from the sea rocks.

This guy.

We tried to make our way to the ancient area of the city, and kept on the coast.
We passed this cool thing. The hotel was really a resort, and there was a big diving platform built of cement out in the water. I wanted to run out there. BUT we didnt’t

In my research about Rhodes included one big thing. The Colossus of Rhodes, that was a wonder of the Ancient world. BUT today, it’s no where to be found. NO sign of it at all. But you can still see where it is supposed to have once straddled. We found our way nearer the ancient port.

Lots of cool architecture along the way.

We found a little place here that sold the closest thing I have had to Albanian Byrekk that I have had since I left the country 10 years ago.

YUM.

Other interesting similarities to Albania:
The Bronze communist statues.

The Evil Eye.

The same kids of things sold at market.WE found it! The place where the colossus was supposed to have once stood.

Now two dear, and male on one side and a female on the other.

What was said to have stood here in the ancient world:

More interesting info, if you’re interested.
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2017/11/06/the-colossus-of-rhodes-6-facts-about-one-of-the-wonder-of-the-ancient-world/

Headed to the ancient market and port.

Behind Karl, a very RUDE beggar boy. He didn’t know much English, but he did know so so so many swear words and he was VERY angry that we didn’t give him any money.

Past that craziness we found this cool window of stone.

Oh, there were some people in the water over there.

After we took this picture an African woman grabbed my hand and started to tie a bracelet on to my wrist. She was slick. She was looking me in the eye and smiling and laughing, it was Karl who realized what she was doing. She was trying to get me to buy a bracelet by tying it onto my wrist before I could day no. Karl removed it and said no. It was crazy and awkward.As we continued down the pier we found this:

For a super reasonable price we could ride on a speed boat through these beautiful waters. Snorkel. And sunbathe on a private beach.

SOLD!

We headed back to the boat to change and have lunch. We had blown our daily wad on the activity so why not have a “free” lunch.

Here we are, dressed and ready to party!

We walked back through the pier, and waited for the boat to arrive.

We got some Mango gelato while we waited.

Just a little romantic moment.

Soon enough, we were on the boat!

There were about 10 other people with us.

We passed the deer and the doe.

And we were off!

There was lots of ships at port there, even SUPER FAST ones.

Check out the barriers? It is these HUGE cement jax looking things.

After a speedy boat ride around the coast, we stopped near some caves.

We were all given snorkels and masks and we were STOKED to jump in!

We jumped off the back of the boat and had a swim. THIS is where I wished I had a water proof camera.

I was able to get some fun shots of Karl from the boat.

We snorkled through this cave.

As a part of the ride, they took some underwater picutres of us!!

YEAH!!

After about an hour of swimming around, we got back on the boat.

Our gear:

Drinks.

The water was salty and my lips were all wrinkled from our swim.

The boat was fast, and the wind whipped through our hair.

We pulled into a beach, and got off again.

We were covered in salt, and my hair was nuts, but we sat down at a little cafe and ordered some food.

Feeling freckled and sun burned.

A Greek Salad. And some LOVELY bread.

After a light lunch we went over to the cliff side bar. It was called the Oasis Beach Bar.

We ordered a couple of drinks (Coke Zeros) and sat on the sun baked pillows.

It was warm and sunny, but shady.

The perfect spot for a sun burned red head to close her eyes and rest for a minute.

I like this picture. It is how I imagine I look

This one, is how I actually look.

Greek rock tagging.

We swam in the lagoon, and jumped off the cliffs. It was just the perfect afternoon. I was so picturesque. We were really happy.

Even when I jumped off a cliff, and lost my new sunglasses.

Back on the boat.

Feeling really happy. What an adventure.

It was getting close to time for the ship to leave, and our captan of our boar would not have us miss it. So we SPED back to port.

He pulled RIGHT up to the ship. I turned back to the speed boat, as I approached the ship and took a pic of the boat. Jumping off right next to our cruise ship was so much fun!