Day 7- Anniversary Cruise

Today finds our roving anniversary couple in Rhodes, Greece.

This was our view from the ship dock of the City of Rhodes. 

The walled area encompasses the medieval section.

Our first stop was to a local family pottery shop(cha ching), where they make and(I know you are surprised) sell the pottery.

We did purchase a small, very

pretty piece that would travel

well in a suitcase.

Then it was back on the bus and headed south to the ancient city of Lindos.  Lindos is a quaint, beautiful city of typical white houses. Our tour stop was the acropolis upon which sits The Temple of Athena Lindia. The lower level houses the Castle of the Knights of St. John. We started up the hill walking(the only way up), with great intentions. Mrs. Retired Brickman's knees were bothering her, and like a good husband, I stopped with her. We were about 2/3's of the way up. We rested, took a few pictures and then conducted a very democratic confab, do we keep going and have a really tiring walk back down, or give it up and head back down now and have a nice cold drink. Well... Yeah, you guessed it, the cold drink was too hard to pass up on that warm day!

The third stop was back near the ship and the medieval walled part of the city of Rhodes. Contained within the city walls is the Palace of the Grand Master. Originally built in the 7th century, parts were destroyed and rebuilt over the years. The most recent was done by the Italians between 1937-1940. It was to be a holiday residence for the King of Italy, and then later for fascist dictator Mussolini. His name still appears on a large sign near the entrance.  Out of the 158 rooms, only 24 are open for touring. When the Italians left, the castle was looted of anything of value by them.  Whatever remained, walked away courtesy of the townspeople.

 Interior shots of the Palace

Floors-made from individual mosaics

more floor mosaics

The beautiful sunset as we bid farewell to Rhodes!

Up next: Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey- No wait, Turkey was cancelled based on the State Departments Travel Advisory in regards to "an uncertain environment". A shame to miss out on Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, but I think all on board were relieved based on the problems at the time. We were given another sea day as it was too late to book a different port, oh well. so next up:Athens!