Ferry was booked to leave at 17:00, but we still had to pack our bags, check out, return our rental car, pickup tickets from the ferry terminal, walk back to hotel to collect bags, then get a taxi back to the ferry. Of course we had to fit a coffee in there somewhere as well !!
The rental car drop off office was 3 km away and we found it without issue. We then walked back along the coast, stopping for coffee, and eventually getting to the ferry ticket office around 12:30, at which stage we were asked if we wanted to get the 14:30 ferry to Rhodes, a special one they had put on for just today. We said ok, but that meant a rush back to the hotel to collect our bags, buy some lunch and get a taxi back by 13:30 - had to be there 1 hour prior to departure. Did it with time to spare.
It was a big fastcat ferry with 305 seats on board, but only 17 passengers and a baby - we had plenty of room to spread out for the 1 hour trip.
Arrived in Rhodes at 15:30, Google said it was a seven minute walk, mostly flat (a lie), to our accommodation in the Old Town section. What Google DIDN'T tell us is that the Old Town has narrow cobblestoned lanes which was impossible to roll our suitcases along, so we had to pick them up and carry them. It was the middle of the afternoon, hot, and by the time we got to our apartment we were both dripping with perspiration and exhausted !! To top it off the apartment is on the first floor, so steps to carry them up to finish off.
When we had recovered (about an hour later) we set out to have a look around and covered a lot of ground. The marina area, where you can arrange a day cruise or water adventure is also full of large and very expensive yachts. The business area of the walled city was just a spread out bazaar with restaurants and a lot of shops selling often very similar things. First thing we notice when having dinner, Greece, or at least Rhodes is not quite as cheap as Turkey for meals.
We have been mostly relaxing, drinking coffee, eating and people watching here in Rhodes. We went for a walk into the centre of town outside the Old Town, obviously much more modern and with many well known fashion stores here, including a Marks and Spencer and a H&M.
A new cruise ship or two comes in each day and drops off its passengers for a stroll around the Old Town. Our relaxing time here in Rhodes, unusual for us, has enabled the organising of our ferries and hotels as we island hop our way from here to Athens.
Here are some pictures of our apartment in Rhodes.
Here are some more pictures of Rhodes.
Tuesday night we had a fabulous and memorable dinner of garlic mushrooms and stuffed calamari at Nimmos Restaurant. On leaving we promised the restaurant opposite (Laganis) we would return there for dinner the next day. We did and sadly the meal of grilled vegetables and grilled fish was no where near as good.
Wednesday we arranged for taxi to collect us at 18:30 to drive us to the airport as the plane was leaving at 20:50. Turned out to be a twin turbo prop plane ... 50 seats ... haven't been on one of these for years. I hour flight to Heraklion, Crete arriving around 22:00. Taxi ride to our apartment was super smooth and the driver was really nice, waiting around to ensure we were able to enter our apartment, using codes for the front door and key box. We got in and wow, super new huge lounge and kitchenette, everything you could want, including a clothes rack for drying towels and clothes...even a washing machine !! Super happy. Got to bed around midnight and slept soundly on a very comfortable bed after a long day.
Kala!
or Yahsoo !!
The fastcat ferry sounds like a bonus and it gets you there mid afternoon rather than later, thus enabling some pre-dinner reconnoitring.
You two are blessed – and then I hear you groan and moan about the cobblestones and the heat.
Get a grip. Luckily this part of Rhodes wasn’t burnt out.
I am surprised that it is more expensive than Turkiye, but then again, perhaps not.
It is WAY less expensive than Australia, which is fast becoming the most expensive destination in the world.
Yes – 1st world problems I know !
And, yet again, the flag is in the obverse position.
That’s the way the wind was blowing!!
Can u make your blogs more exiting please. More action shots
U entering marks and spencers
Maybe start another bushfire or something I’m falling asleep
Remember u will have to read them one day
Been waiting for Greece – I think it’s in my bucket too.
You seeing those gorgeous white homes on the side of the hills? That I’m keen for.