Sunday, March 16, 2008

Welcome to Greece Day 29 to 32

























We arrive in Rhodes, Greece, and Italy already feels like a dream behind us. We stay in the Old City of Rhodes which is very ancient where some of the first crusaders came in, so they built this walled city.
The stoned streets, and the atmosphere feels quite different from the rest of the Mediterranean countries we have traveled  the past  5 weeks.
Our first taste of Greece is this little family pub that made the best Greek food. We indulge in homemade Pita and Greek salads and the children had a variety of different  things including some classic foods the children like.
We meet an Austrailean Greek in the pub ( The Walk Inn) as well as a Texan women who live here now. He shares that while renovating his house and digging into the foundation he digs right into ancient Byzantine walls, that is a common scenario when building in the old city, for there is basically another city under the ground of this city (or more).
One afternoon we went to a public baths of Turkish origin, the building of which no one knows the date of origin and bathed as people did and still do - very relaxing - an element that should be re/introduced into Western society.
We spend our few days here seeing the things we came specifically to Rhodes for, the old City and then to Lindos to see the Acropolis of Athena, and then onto another ancient city (Kameiros) - there are 3 sites on island that predate BC, where the ruins were of an ancient City left in enough of an assembly to actually feel and picture this ancient civilization that lived and work and played here. Truly wonderous, we all enjoyed the ruins Of Rhodes.
We hit a few deserted beaches in our travels and saw olive orchards everywhere, as we have seen a lot in the Medateranean since Spain, but somehow Greek olive orchards have this incredible ancientness to them. Certainly many beautiful sites and the ocean is the most gorgeous deep blue, that epitomizes the Meditteranean.
Now the people of Rhodes we couldn't quite figure, they look at you with little expression and at times suspiciously, perhaps even curiosity.
The plane ride leaving Rhodes to Crete, or should we say our flight that got canceled and then we waited on standby  for the rest of the day to see if we get onto another plane was a cross between a comedy and horrror show. At one point the disorganization and laid back attitude of 'don't bother us', or each person you spoke to told you something different was a test of patience.
At one point Borys and I started singing the Beatles 'all you need is love' just to remind ourselves that there are all kinds of people in this world with different ways even if its not to our liking. All we could do after a while was laugh about it all.
This island was a cross between the good(Gorgeous place and not so Gorgeous), the bad and the ugly, but in the end loved it, but looking forward to Crete, for the Cretians are supposed to be the friendliest in Greece.

9 comments:

Sabine said...

Hi guys - I am like your very personal stalker haha! I get so excited when there is new pictures posted and more travel stories - I just love it and am still so happy and excited for you guys.
Your photos totally rock - you have a real good idea for detail and we are all enjoying them!
Take care :)

Sandy said...

Stalk away Sabine , its nice having you along for the adventure.
We really enjoy writing the blog and sharing with friends and family at home, and it gives us all a opportunity to reflect on all of our travel adventures and experiences along the way.

Crete is next and were loving it here. Some real interesting scenarios here, in this ancient land of Shepards s and goats. Also a most amazing encounter with someone from your homeland here!! To be continued.......................

Sabine said...

Hi this is paula it seems like you are having a great time.neenee I miss you so much. I have met some new friends there names are Brooklynn and Wynn they both are in my class.For Easter I am going to Hornbee Island with Cassie it will be FUN.Me and Cassie miss you SO.................. much Love,

Paula BYE

Kim Mellors said...

Hi All, Greece looks wonderful. I can't wait till you finish your travels and can then share with us all your favorite places and things to see and do. What a wonderful experience for the kids. Hopefully someday we can take Shelby to some of these places. We really enjoy checking your blog every few days it always give me a nice break at the office. Take Care

Love Kim

Baba said...

Hi to All of You!
Loved your Rhodes photos & comments, looking forward to Crete!

Did you receive MY MESSAGE in the previous post - that I'm flying to Lviv, Ukraine on April 5, home on May 14? Please let me know if you did (I won't keep repeating myself!).
Love from Baba!

Sandy said...

Hi Paula this is Nee Nee, i miss you too/ I am having a good time in Crete. We went on a big hike yesterday. Addi and I made friends with a cat and cal it Rubba.

Can you tell Abby to write me too.

Love Natalia

Sandy said...

Hi Kim , nice to hear from you. We would love to share with you our travels. Definitely have some great tips and places not to miss. Like Cinque Terra in Italy naming one of many.

Kids are having a great time and great education, but Addi gets really homesick. We expected that though, for it is somewhat his nature.
Although this has been very great for him, he,s been learning guitar, when he feels homesick.
Lots of love and Hi to Brad and Shelby. Off to Ireland in a few days we will be staying with friends, then off to Scotland, where it will only be hostels$$$
We have had such a lovely place in the hills of the Mediterranean here in Crete, with kitchen and the works, it been really relaxing here having a holiday from the holiday with a great homebase .........Love Sandy

Sandy said...

Hi Ma, yes Italy was fantastico, a distant memory already- Crete was more than what I expected!! Is Vadym going to Ukraine? Maybe you can update us through here. Kids are great. Bye for now. Borys

Baba said...

Hi All!
Glad you got my message. No, I'm going myself (courtesy of Tato - his points!). Actually I'll be joining Vujko Ol'ko and Teta Bozhena will be joining us in mid-month. Our Easter is late this year - Apr.27 & we hope to be in the mountains celebrating Hutsul-style.
I knew you'd like Crete. I'm looking forward to the pictures.
Addi & Natalia, I miss our telephone conversations! Love & kisses to all! Baba