7/4/2011 Rhodes,Ibiscus Hotel, Lindos, St. Paul's Bay, dinner at Tamam

Breakfast buffet.  I'm back to my usual!  One egg over easy, toast, grapefruit juice, coffee.  Also had some peaches and an apple danish with powdered sugar!  Some pictures of our hotel since it was too dark to take them last night.  Sightseeing today.

Entrance

Bar area

Reception/lobby

Breakfast

LINDOS.  First inhabited around 3000 BC.  Naval power due to twin harbors.  In the 6th century BC it thrived and grew from its many foreign colonies.  Lindos village is where we are headed.  Traffic isn't allowed in the town.  We park our car in a large free parking lot and walk.

Scenic drive to Lindos

Acropolis above the town

Postcard

Map

ACROPOLIS AT LINDOS.  Perched high 410' above the village.  Can walk up or take a donkey.
Temple of Lindian Athena 4th century BC.  Remaining columns.  Was among the most sacred sites in the ancient world.  Visited by Alexander the Great and supposedly Helen of Troy and Herkales.  In the 13th century the Knights Hospitallers of St. John fortified the city with battlements much higher than the original walls.  We decided to be brave (also to avoid the uphill climb) and take donkeys up.  Cost 5€ each.   It was a bit nerve racking as there was a sheer drop next to the path.  Especially scary was when we encountered donkeys coming down on the same path.  I was very glad when we got to the top.  We decided to walk back down!  Admission ticket was 6€ per person.  Amazing views from here.  Ruins were impressive.  

   

Got to pay the guy

Map of site

Views

Lindos Stoa-this colonnade or stoa was built in the Hellenistic period around 200 BC

Doric stoa built in the 3rd century BC

Lindos stoa

Spectacular views  St. Paul's Bay

The church of St. John was built in the 13th century

Walking back down was not hard at all.  This is not the same path that the donkeys use.  Back down there are several stores selling crafts and souvenirs.  I bought postcards, a souvenir trinket of sorts, water, orange drinks-all for 11.50€.

I bought one of these hanging Greek eye trinkets but a small one

ST. PAUL'S BAY.  Where the apostle Paul landed in 43 AD bringing Christianity to Rhodes.  Almost enclosed cove, the water is a stunning shade of blue.  There's also a white chapel dedicated to St. Paul but it was closed as work was being done.  We had brought towels and had swimsuits on under our clothes.  Richard went snorkeling and I just laid in the warm water.  Stayed about one hour.  As we were leaving we saw a wedding couple having pictures taken at St. Paul's Chapel.

St. Paul's Chapel

Views of the Acropolis from St. John's Bay

Leaving the beach was hard as it was so nice but we do need to return to our hotel.  I have Richard stop the car so I can take some pictures of Lindos town and the Acropolis.  There's also another beach which is the main one for Lindos called Megalos Gialos.  A popular beach and can be crowded.  Wide selection of water sports there.  Safe for children and there are several tavernas for dining.

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On the right there's another beach

Looking at the Acropolis, Lindos town

Driving back to our hotel

 IBISCUS HOTEL.  Back at our hotel we decide to have some time in the pool.  Then we sit on our balcony to just relax and watch.  The beach is crowded.  It's right across the street from our hotel.  There's a diving platform.  Boat and ferry traffic.  Wish we had time to spend time here on this beach because it does look very nice.

Our hotel

Small pool

Our balcony

We can see the beach and the sea from our balcony

There's a diving platform

We decide to explore the area around our hotel.  Walking distance to Old Town, Mandraki Harbor.  The beautiful sandy Elli Beach is right across the street.

Rhodes Aquarium

Mandraki Harbor

TAMAM.  Dinner.  We thought we'd drive the car here but we couldn't find the restaurant!  Went back to the hotel.  Parked the car.  Walked.  Along the way I withdrew 200€ from ATM.  We found the place!  I ordered the pork filet stuffed with sun dried tomatoes covered with a cheese sauce and walnuts.  Too much of that sauce!  Otherwise delicious.  Came with fries.  I had a coke.  Richard got the better choice.  A pork filet stuffed with roasted red peppers and topped with feta cheese.  He loved it.  He had 2 Mythos beers.  We also got 2 small complimentary coffee drinks that were very tasty.  Cost without tip 43.80€.  Walking back to our hotel we stop at a market/store to buy bottles of water, potato chips, and a candy bar/Snickers.  Back at our hotel we decide to open the bottle of 2007 dry white Nykteri Reserve we bought in Santorini and have after dinner drinks.  It was good.

Way too much of that rich cheese sauce!

Richard had the better choice I think

Our complimentary coffee drink

Bottle of wine we bought in Santorini