Rhodes

Rhodes

Home to one if the original seven wonders of the world, the bronze statue of the Colossus, Rhodes was a most interesting stop on our visit.  Most use Rhodes as a jumping off point for the isle of Lindos.  I think much is missed if Rhodes is not visited.

Pat and I went ashore for a walking tour of the old town. Like so many islands in this region, it has been a part of many countries over it's history.  The Romans, Greeks, Venetians, Byzantine and Ottoman Turks all claimed ownership at one time or another.  Visitors can see evidence of the different eras and cultures everywhere.

Old City of Rho

Rhodes old city as you see it today was largely built on the bones of older construction by the Knights of St. John beginning in the 13th century.  Financed by the wealth of the former Knights Templar, a truly grand city was built.

More is here than can properly be documented here.  The Rhodes archeological  museum where pat and I spent most of the day was first rate.

Later at lunch, we were treated to two very talented musicians that not only played traditional Greek music but has a great repertoire of Elvis tunes....seems like we will never leave Memphis...even in the Greek isles.

Tomorrow is Santorini

Ephesus

Ephesus

Today we landed n Kusadasi, the pronunciation of which I never quite mastered.  Anyway,  this is the port city in Turkey closest to the ancient city of Ephesus. At one time, Ephesus was a port city.  Now, Ephesus is 6 miles away from the coast thanks to seismic activity somewhere in the past and due to the Meander river ( seriously..) like it's name has changed course over time and filled much of the port area with silt and moving the shoreline farther out into the ocean.

Pat on the Main avenue in Ephesus

Notice the detail work....part of how Ephesus differed from Pompeii

The library is at the end of the Avenue to the left

Ephesus was a very large a prosperous city inhabited and built by the Romans.  Differing from Pompeii in economic definition ( Pompeii - middle class, Ephesus - upper class).  The buildings were grander and more elaborate than those we saw in Pompeii.  Beautiful city with the standard layout....gymnasium, library and brothel.  The brothel was often located near the library.  When Romans told their wives they were headed to the library, at least they were going in the right direction.  Some things transcend time...

Library of Ephesus

During our visit, we also went to the church of St. Mary where Mary, mother of Jesus lived the rest of here life after leaving Jerusalem .  Turkey is primarily Moslem but Turks are famously accepting of other religions and have many of the same holy sites as Christians do.  This is one of those.

Finally, we stopped for a demonstration and sales pitch on Turkish rugs which are really quite astounding and pricy.  Some we saw were over $200,000.  More than a little out of our price range!  I will say that these guys were some of the finest salesman I have ever seen.  I offered a few of them sales jobs on the spot.

Pat and I were a little skeptical of the Turks in light of recent events but found everyone we met to be incredibly friendly.  We will definitely return!

Bye for now.....is the island of Rhodes.

Chris and Pat