Paula wasn't too good this morning having lost her voice, but managed to stagger up to the HC for a light bite, before taking a hot lemon and honey drink back to the cabin. At this point, we opted to reluctantly pull out of Jo's tour tomorrow and also a ship's tour in Katakolon in two days' time.
Paula nodded for an hour or two then we made the decision to go ashore anyway, for a short time. They are restoring the buildings alongside the wharf and doing a great job too.
Just outside the port gates was a kiosk selling the HO-HO tickets and the double decker was already outside, with space downstairs in the shade. I think we paid €12 per ticket. Col and Jude joined us for a steady trip around the outer city (the inner city is walled) and past the beaches. Not too many shops appeared to be open (Sunday) but when we hopped off, we entered the walled city.
A very pleasant place indeed and like many walled cities, a real mix of tourist shops and old buildings plus a palace and a castle. Paula succumbed to locally made sandals (two pairs) and after a good walk around, spotting a silver MGB sculpture(!) we sat down for a drink. Paula had a milk shake and I had a cider. Now I didn't specify the pear cider but it was pleasant enough – a larger can of Swedish Kopparberg. Once again, a bit overpriced, but that is the norm when you sit down, which is fair enough.
There is a tiny beach between the city wall and the ship, where swimming is forbidden.
We went back to the ship and didn't really emerge from the cabin other than to tell Jo we'd have to cancel. We ordered room service for Paula (croque monsieur plus tea and soup) and I loaded a plate from the buffet – beef short ribs, rice, soup and a portion of hot freshly cooked prawns, plus cantaloupe melon and a jelly and returned to the cabin for a feast! Very nice too.
Later, I ambled down to the atrium coffee shop which was almost deserted and Kiwi Andrew made me a coffee exactly the way I like it, in a takeaway cup, that I emptied into my travel mug once back in the cabin, as I am not too keen on drinking out of cardboard.
So that was Rhodes. We really enjoyed it even though we didn't go far afield, but that doesn't really matter, especially on a first visit. Pity that Paula isn't feeling so good and so tomorrow at Kusadasi (Turkey) is now a bit of an unknown quantity.
One week today and we are half way.
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