We were gifted by a lovely, relaxing Wednesday. Our cruise ship docked on the island of Rhodes, and students were given the option of either shopping in the picturesque city or taking a morning excursion through both the main port city and the city of Lindos, about half an hour’s drive from the ship. Those who opted for shopping got their fill of Greek souvenirs, gelato, and experiencing the beautiful, ancient fortified city walls, built by the knights of St. John in the medieval times. Roaming the city, we saw large circular stones everywhere that were once the cannon balls of the Turks when they took the island of Rhodes. The island’s history is colored by their many conquerors—Greeks, Turks, Romans. Nevertheless, the castle and the many walls that protect it were well preserved and the cobblestone streets and buildings still in use. The small group that went to Lindos took a thirty-minute drive up to the town of Lindos, passing along the way many goats and olive trees. The island was incredibly rocky, and the tour guide explained that Rhodes only gets rain a few months out of the year. We stopped along the way to view one of Rhodes’ masterpieces—pottery. Each piece was made by hand, painted, and intricate designs carved into the sides. Afterwards we took the bus to the acropolis of Lindos. One had to walk up 300 steps to get to the top. The warm Rhodes day made the climb tiring, but was entirely worth it when we got to the top. At the top was a temple for Athena. On one side, one could see the white homes of Lindos, and on the other, a small, hidden bay where Paul stopped on his journey to Ephesus. The blue of the Mediterranean both in the bay and outside of it was unforgettable and reminded us of our own beaches at home. We viewed the souvenir shops at the foot of the Acropolis before heading back to the boat for lunch. More shopping in the castle walls and relaxation aboard the boat followed, primarily naps. A formal dinner altogether ended our day nicely. Tomorrow, most of us go to the island of Knossos, an optional excursion where we will view the famous Labyrinth of Greek myth and legend.
By Jenny Kimura
By Jenny Kimura