Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes is 173 nautical miles from Kusadasi.  We arrived in quite a storm.  The captain waited about an hour as we looked at the Mandraki port.  Once the heavy storm passed we headed into to dock.  We were skeptical about taking our tour but by the time we got to the other side of the mountains it was hot and sunny!  We looked at the Acropolis of Lindos from far below.  We decided climbing 250 steps was not worth the view.   The gals were very content to shop in the many stores. 

Rhodes is only 11 miles from Turkey.  The old town is entirely within walls thicker than I am tall!  I think we were beginning to wear down by this time in our cruise.  The scenery, ancient ruins, castles, stores etc. began to meld together.

We are on our way to Lindos

It was raining outside, glad it stopped by the time we got to Lindos

Hmmmm, seems that gal forgot something!

The beach had plenty of sand, to soft to ride a bike though.

Most of the folks were on grass, far from the wind and water.

Master and founder of this pottery store.  He draws all designs by hand and memory.

The staff fills the designs with ink that changes color once it is heated in the kiln.

It takes steady hands for sure as this gal adds paint to the blue area.

First step is a lump of clay

As the object spins the craftsman shapes the bowl

More of the same

Finishing touches

It is ready to dry and bake in the kiln.

But in this case he cut the vase in half to show us the inside.  In ancient times similar bowls were found in pieces.  Like this one, the inside is like a thumb print.  By cutting them in half they can easily tell which craftsman created the objects.

Olive orchard

Pretty good size olives.  Olives are harvested every other year.

Acropolis of Lindos

The color is accurate, the bay was light blue/green compared to the blue Aegean.

Street lined with stores

Nearly all restaurants had photos of their menus, some had English as well.

Enry way into the Walled Old Town.  The tops of the towers were different from the others.

Inside the walls lies a huge Old Town.

Our guide explains the way it once was. 

Many of the walls were round so when cannon balls arrived they would glance off.

Yes those are cannon balls not bowling or bocci balls!

Next Stop --> Istanbul, Turkey