April 20: Kos to Rhodes

We had a wonderful day in Kos.  First we took the public bus to Asclepion – no, not the same site as we visted near Pergamum in Bergama, but another centre of healing, therefore, an “Asclepion”.   We tried to visit the restored “Villa Romana” we had seen the day before, but it has been closed since September, according to a very small sign on the gate.  We explored the town of Kos in the windy sunshine, going out on every wharf nearby, and had a meal on the harbour. 

All too soon, it was time to board our ferry to Rhodes.  The ferry ride was a bit dull and rough, but through the small salt encrusted window Ian managed to see the very Venetian looking town of Symi at a ferry stop. 

Ian had looked up the walking route to our hotel, and knew that it was only “steps”, which it must be if you don’t get lost, but I was very worried about the unique paving system – river rocks set on their sides – which I remembered from our last trip to Rhodes.  Unlike our last trip, we found the shops in Rhodes mostly locked and barred, since the cruise ships had left, although the odd shop keeper did come out and ask hopefully “You came on a ship?”  We found our hotel, in a courtyard right off the Street of Knights, and it makes up for all the luggage lugging we have done.  We got an upgrade, and I hated to leave the Jacuzzi, the big screen TV,  the elegant dining room, and even the little television in the bedroom to go out for dinner, but sacrifices must be made!  Not only is it the best hotel I have ever stayed at, it’s nicer than my house!

Dinner was delicious – steamed mussels to share, then gemista for Ian and moussaka for me, and a bridal party came to the restaurant.  We even saw a cat that looked a lot like ours.

Since we now know what “airplane seating” means on a two hour cruise, we are really excited to enjoy the six hour cruise from Heraklion to Mykonos, past Santorini, and four other islands.  really excited.

Tomorrow we explore the town of Rhodes!

The "treatment" level of Asclepion, where Hippocrates worked.

I've told Ian that when I get home I want to make a collage of latrine pictures, but he thinks that this photo of the treatment area is more uplifting.  There were some baths, and lots of other ruins, but I though you might be tired of them by now!

A lazy, reclining statue.

Another lazy reclining statue, this time with a head.

One of the temples, with Corinthian columns, on the second level.

Another plane tree, this one about 400 years old.

These two guys were happy to show us "their" catch, but I suspect their teenaged companion was really the successful fisherman.

Two of the less glamorous boats.  There were "hookups" for water and electricity all along the harbour for visiting yachts.

This looks much different than when we came in with the cruise ship a few years ago, when every store was open!

We even have the "Street of Knights" (Ippolon) to ourselves.  This is taken from the entrance to the hotel courtyard.

The drawing room.