Rhodes - Monday 30 September

Our ship docked right beside the Old Town and port of the ancient town of Rhodes. Of course, there was no sign of the ancient Colossus of Rhodes (honouring the sun god, Helios), and historians are sure that it would not have stood astride the sides of the port entrance, as depicted in pictures and souvenirs because it would have been insulting to sail between the legs and look up at the naked body of the bronze statue. It only stood for 56 years, before being toppled in 224 BC by one of the many earthquakes to strike this region.

We started the day quietly and walked across to the medieval town's fortified walls and through one of the gates. We strolled along the streets that were similar to Santorini, but a bit wider. Many shops were also selling the same sorts of items - bags, clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, and there were lots of outdoor cafes etc.

We saw the tall minaret of the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent (a powerful sultan who had conquered Rhodes in 1552) as made our way along the main street (Sockratous), and then turned off towards the Palace of the Grand Masters (the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem).

The Knights of St John were founded during the Crusades as a nursing brotherhood, caring for the sick and infirm. They eventually evolved into a military order to also protect the pilgrims. The Knights took control of the town in 1309, rebuilt it, and strengthened the fortifications. The town prospered for 200 years. But the Knights and the town were eventually defeated by Suleyman after a huge 6 month siege. The Turkish troops and reinforcements numbered 200,000 (90,000 losing their lives) against only 700 Knights and 6,000 locals. Eventually there were only 180 Knights and 1500 helpers still alive, and the Sultan proposed a truce - the fighting ended and the Knights were allowed to leave the island with the respect of their besiegers. The Knights re-established themselves in Malta, and continued to sail around the area, harassing the Turks.

The Palace itself was actually destroyed in 1856 and rebuilt in 1939, but not like the original. As we walked through here, we couldn't help but hear a tour guide of one of the large Princess groups talking about earthquakes in the region, and how there had been a big one two years ago, but how that meant there wouldn't be another one for at least 30 years. Also, that all the buildings were linked or joined together across the town, so this meant they would hold together in another quake. What a load of bulls...t!

We made our way along the Avenue of the Knights (Ippoton Street), a cobbled lane where the Knights of St John had lived in seven separate language groups, each one assigned to defending a different section of the wall. They lived in inns that reflected their country of origin. There were sections/inns for the Spanish, German, Italians and others.

The Archeological Museum of Rhodes was of the most interest, as this huge, sprawling complex is housed in what had been the Order's former hospital. There were lots of vases, artefacts, floor mosaics, tombstones (of some of the Knights), and small statues (including a replica of the 3rd Century BC 'Rhodes Venus'. There were courtyards and gardens, and one part had been used as a Turkish residence and now displayed some of the furnishings typical in Ottoman times.

It was a very hot day, again around 30C, so we headed back to the ship to cool off in the air-conditioning and have some lunch.

Soon we were back up on deck, relaxing. Later, it was another Formal Night so we dressed up, and caught up on the events of the past two days over dinner with Jan and Steve.