Gun’s Travel Diary: Greece – Rhodes Island (Three)

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Gun Roswell

Posted in Travel /Photography /Travel Diary /TBT

A Greek isn’t just “very busy”…she’s “running without arriving” (τρἐχει και δεν φτἀνει)

The Arrival

Gun’s travel log, stardate 08.08.2015, 11.00 EET (GMT +3)

Aeroport:

The flight was right on time and we landed on the Diagoras aeroport. The bus whisked us to the terminal, where the bags soon arrived without any hassle. The aeroport itself is very small, but comfortable. Not too much traffic, but just enough. Thinking ahead and wanting the brief vacation to run as smoothly as possible, we had spent the extra cost and reserved a private ride to the hotel.

Hotel:

Since we arrived at the hotel earlier than check out time (2 PM local time by default) we had to wait a few hours before settling in. The hotel itself, Amathus Elite Suites, Rhodes, was the option for us, simply because of the facilities and services offered: private pool and spa and of course the location: the north side of the island due to it’s cooling breeze.

At the hotel, the welcome was excellent and warm. And during our lengthened wait for our room to be ready (some three hours in the end) we were well taken care of: with coffee, fruits, juice and pastries and sweets and most importantly, free WI-FI!

After a quick tour around the complimentary services, we finally arrived in our suite. And of course, the pièce de résistance, the private swimming pool! Awaiting on ice: Sparkly wine and fruits. Now it was time to shed off the travel clothes and dip into the turquoise pool!

Gun’s Travel Diary: Greece – Rhodes Island (Two)

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Gun Roswell

Posted in Travel /Photography /Travel Diary /TBT

In Greece, a place isn’t “really far away”…it’s “by the devil’s mother” (στου διαὀλου την μἀνα)

Lift Off

Gun’s travel log, stardate 08.08.2015, 04.00 EET (GMT +3)

Flying through the air
On the wings of Finnair
Keeping on smiling
As the beautiful island
Of the Goddesses and Gods
Hoping to beat the odds
And have a great vacation

Lift off: Finland, Espoo, via Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Destination: Greece, the Island of Rhodes

The day was Saturday and the first day of this year’s short vacation time (a full week for this year ;P). So as you can imagine, the time was precious and not a second of it could be wasted.

Wake up call at four am and arrival scheduled for 06.00 at the aeroport. No later than that
to avoid having to run through the baggage drop (yes we were too lazy to drive there the night before and drop them off, which by the way, is an great option to do to avoid the morning hassle).

So after three hours of “sleep”, it was time to get up, shower, shoes and shove off. But, as Mr Murphy would have it, things never go as planned.

The taxi driver got lost and was delayed. He also was new at his job and apparently did not know the gas pedal was supposed to be used for faster speed of the vehicle. Luckily we arrived non too delayed for the original planned time and thanks to Finnair <finnair.com> they have a very organized and smoothly running operation at the airport. Therefore the baggage check, security check and the loading of the aeroplane ran as clockwork.

Although, a few minutes were lost on what we now call the “lighter incident”. Due to a simple error of carrying not one, but two lighters in the carry on bag, and thanks to a very anal security officer, one of the carry on bags was tossed over. After a few words and getting rid of the offensive lighter, we finally got through to the other side.

The gate was not far away, but unfortunately even if you are organized and briskly walking trying to get to your goal, some of the other passengers are not. They tend to stop abruptly without any visible reason in the middle of the passage way and if you are lucky, you won’t collide. After a few swear words later and quick maneuvering, the gate was reached with a few minutes to spare before boarding.

The plane ride was nice and easy, despite the scheduled four hour flight. The Finnair crew was generally in good spirits and customer orientated. Of course there are always a few rotten apples, who are waiting for retirement and just counting the days until when it all ends… Luckily we had reserved seats beforehand and had a nice comfy setup and the flight attendant checked up on us every now and again. After eating a small breakfast and some onboard shopping, there was also time to record a few memories on the smart phone.

Gun’s Travel Diary: Greece – Rhodes Island (One)

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Gun Roswell

Posted in Travel /Photography /Travel Diary /TBT

A Greek doesn’t say “I have no idea what’s going on”…she says “I’ve lost my eggs and baskets” (ἐχω χἀσει τα αυγἀ και τα καλἀθια)

Introduction to the destination

Gun’s travel log, stardate 08.08.2015: 00.00 EET (GMT +3)

Today we started our journey to Greece, namely the beautiful resort of Rhodes island.

Google.com

Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is known for its beach resorts, ancient ruins and structural remnants of its crusades-era occupation by the Knights of St. John. Rhodes City features the medieval Street of the Knights and the castle like Palace of the Grand Masters, once a Turkish prison and now a museum. The city’s bars, clubs and cafes bustle during high season.

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 18

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea” Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece, Rhodes: Ode to Rhodes

Gun’s travel log, stardate: Finland, EET (GMT +3)

Bye, bye beautiful island
It may not be my home land
But I promise once more to return
When the travel fever starts to burn
And I will start to yearn
Of the blue and turquoise sea
As far as the eye can see
Even though a Finn
Still loving the fun
And the warmth of the sun
On my skin
So maybe next year
You will see and hear
Me returning to this island

Back to Part Seventeen

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 17

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know I shall be happily infected until the end of my life” Michael Palin

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece, Rhodes: Day Seven: Hanging by the Pool

Gun’s travel log, stardate: Greece, City of Rhodes EET (GMT +3)

Today was the last day of the holiday and sadly tomorrow morning we will take off.
Relaxing in the warmth of the sun and snapping a few memories in the near surroundings was all on the agenda.

Basking in the sun
What could be more fun
I can think of none
Last day of holiday
Luckily on a sunny day
Tomorrow we’ll be on our way
On the plane back home we’ll fly
To our friends we’ll say goodbye
There will be no dry eye
The skies briefly turned gray
As if to sadly say
For a while more stay
But, in the end
The time spent
Was a holiday to recommend

Back to Part Sixteen

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 16

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“Leave no stone unturned” Euripides

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece, Rhodes: Day Six: Down Town Rhodes

Gun’s travel log, stardate: Greece, City of Rhodes EET (GMT +3)

The island of Rhodes is located at the crossroads of two major sea routes of the Mediterranean between the Aegean Sea and the coast of the Middle East, as well as Cyprus and Egypt. The meeting point of three continents, it has known many civilizations.

Throughout its long history the different people who settled on Rhodes left their mark in all aspects of the island’s culture: art, language, architecture. Its strategic position brought to the island great wealth and made the city of Rhodes one of the leading cities of the ancient Greek world.

Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. Its capital city, located at its northern tip, is the capital of the Prefecture with the Medieval Town in its centre. In 1988 the Medieval Town was designated as a World Heritage City. The Medieval Town of Rhodes is the result of different architectures belonging to various historic eras, predominantly those of the Knights of St. John.

On today’s agenda; a road trip to the City of Rhodes. Grabbing a taxi and off to the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Rhodes city we went.

Strolling on the beach boulevard and on the shopping streets can be exhausting after a while, especially since the day seemed hotter than the previous days. Upon a small conversation about the weather – always a good subject where ever you go – we were informed the wind had changed, and the degree was therefore higher.

Walking down the street towards the museum in the harbour, admiring the view and trying to avoid the “bouncers” offering the various boat rides available there. Tempting, but not on today’s agenda. The main goal was to snap a few memories of the architecture and seashore.

After a hard day’s excursion, it was finally time for a break with some nourishment and cold drinks: Yes, you guessed the choice of food: Greek salad, what else is there when in Greece?

Later, it was time to enjoy the beach life again…

… Until the setting sun

Back to Part Fifteen

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 14

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“You know, it is said that we Greeks are a fervent and warm blooded breed. Well, let me tell you something – it is true” Melina Mercouri

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece, Rhodes: Ancient Kamiros

Gun’s travel log, stardate: Greece, Kamiros EET (GMT +3)

Kamiros, City in Greece

Kamiros (/kəˈmaɪərəs/; Greek: Κάμειρος) is an ancient city on the island of Rhodes, in the Dodecanese, Greece. It lies on the northwest coast of the island, three kilometres west of the village of Kalavarda.

This archaeological site contains ruins of the Hellenistic and Roman city of Kameiros together with the neighboring necropolis, which although first discovered in 1859 was mainly excavated during the Italian occupation of the island (1912-1943). Of the classical city, only the façade of a late classical fountain and some walls from the agora (market) remain.

The settlement was constructed on three separate levels of the hill. At the bottom was the first terrace with public buildings, market and temples, then on the second terrace was the main settlement and finally in a dominant position at the top of the hill was the acropolis with the Temple of Athena Kameirados (6th century BC), a reminder of the former wealth and historic significance of this ancient city.

Back to Part Thirteen

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 13

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“A well-made salad must have a certain uniformity; it should make perfect sense for those ingredients to share a bowl” Yotam Ottolenghi

Gun’s Travel Log, Day Five: An Homage to Greek Salad

Gun’s travel log, stardate: August, Greece, Lunch Time (GMT +3)

An homage to Greek Salad

Tomatoes, onions and cheese
Who could ever survive without these
A feast good enough for peasants
Maybe even some pheasants
But especially for the tourists
From a far away land
Sufficiently and well nourished
Everything going as planned
Enjoying the feast worthy of Gods
Who could ever beat these odds

Back to Part Twelve

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 12

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“Don’t just eat McDonald’s, get something a bit better. Eat a salad. That’s what fashion is. It’s something that is a bit better” Vivienne Westwood

Gun’s Travel Log, Day Five: Greek Salad

Gun’s travel log, stardate: August, Greece, Lunch Time (GMT +3)

Greek salad
(Greek: χωριάτικη σαλάτα [xorˈjatiki saˈlata] “rustic salad” or θερινή σαλάτα [θeriˈni saˈlata] “summer salad”) is a salad in Greek cuisine.

Greek salad is made with pieces of tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, onion, feta cheese, and olives (usually Kalamata olives), typically seasoned with salt and oregano, and dressed with olive oil. Common additions include green bell pepper slices or berries of capers (especially in the Dodecanese islands).

After returning to the hotel, it is time for lunch. Order placed to room service and soon enough, the salad, bread and drinks appear on the doorstep.

Enjoying the traditional Greek Salad, with actual Feta cheese made of goat milk, fresh and juicy tomatoes, onions and bell pepper and let’s not forget the olives! Spread on some virgin olive oil and voila, you are enjoying a feast good enough for the gods!

Back to Part Eleven

Gun’s Travel Log: Greece – Rhodes Island 11

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Gun Roswell

“Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued” Socrates

Gun’s Travel Log, Day Five: Afternoons by the Pool

Gun’s travel log, stardate: This week, in Greece, Afternoons (GMT +3)

After lunch time, it was time to enjoy the warmth of the sun and cool off in the pool.

Swimming
All thoughts dimming
Relaxing
Nothing perplexing
Mind
Finally at rest
Unwind
Is the best
Turquoise
Filling the view
Disguise
All feelings of blue