Rhodes :: Old Town & New Town

We spent a week on the Greek island of Rhodes (also known as Rhodos, Rodos, or Ρόδος), which lived up to its sunny reputation.





The Colossus of Rhodes, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was said to stand above the harbor. These days, the harbor boasts two statues of a stag and a doe - according to legend, the deer scared the snakes away from the island. Personally, I agree that the deer make a better mascot. But the main attraction seems to be the fishing, which attracts lively groups of men who manage all to talk at the same time (a gift we observed in many of the locals.)



Lighthouse seen from the Gate of St Paul

















Rhodes Old Town and the Palace of the Grand Masters are surrounded by a dry moat, effectively two sets of walls that protected the people within.












I half-expected to see a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail played out above the turrets. Alas, no Trojan rabbits...


Inside the Old Town, a series of narrow streets appear to be designed for maximum confusion - it is easy to get lost - while providing shopping and cafes for eager tourists.






Preparations for Easter





Our idea of relaxing is walking around (with SPF 50 sunscreen) taking photos, exploring back streets, and enjoying mellow lunches in shady spots. However, Rhodes also appeals to beach bunnies and underage lager louts who drink beer out of oversized boot-shaped glasses.





Just south of the New Town is the acropolis of Agios Stefanos, more commonly known as Monte Smith.











We also visited Rodini Park, which was largely deserted on a Wednesday afternoon...





...except for a peacock who proudly displayed his tail for a passing peahen.











And throughout the week, as the weather got better and the tourist season got closer, the beaches began to come to life.