What a beautiful Island! I flew into Rhodes in the afternoon.
I was collected at the airport and taken to the hotel that HAL (Holland America
Line) had booked for me. A lovely hotel right on the beach front. Within
minutes of arriving in my room, I had changed into short skirt, strappy top and
ship ship, all ready to go explore in the sunshine. It felt rebellious, being
able to dress as I like for the weather after living in Cairo all these years
where I have to be careful that my top is not too low, my skirt is not too
short and that is before you even start with length of sleeve! I forget
sometimes how exhausting it is having to dress for the morons who comment on
the street rather than for myself!
I then walked for about 3 hours around Rhodes. Photographing
the sea:
the boats in the harbour;
The beautiful old city walls,
and the
sunset;
Everything just felt so relaxed.
I felt relaxed. It’s been a while....
I felt my apprehension grow every time a man was about to
walk by, or a group of kids were standing where I would have to pass. All the
fear was for nothing. No-one said a word. It was as it should be, and such a
huge relief!
It was only right at the end of the walk that one old man
ruined it all, doing the 'I am talking on my phone trick, but really I am
talking to you.. 'It was disappointing it happened, but laughable. He was
shaking while he was talking, frightened of my reaction. Asking my name and
where I came from, not ‘how much for a night ?’ or such like charming comments I
have become used to from the aggressive over confident manner of the street
dogs (two legged variety not 4) in Cairo. Plus I suspect I may have wandered
into a not so nice part of town by then, and he went literally running from the
earful I gave him. So thankfully it did not manage to affect my overall mood.
To walk past shops where the shopkeepers are all standing in
the doorways, smiling and chatting with each other, not trying to jostle for
your custom.
Not harassing you to spend your money. To be able to smile at
them, male and female alike and have them smile and greet you in return,
without any follow through. Oh Egypt, what have you done to me....? Normal
behaviour now seems angelic! I understand that times are hard and every pound
counts, but Greece are not doing very well right now either. They have 35%
unemployment (and that’s the official figures!) and their economy is also in
crisis yet they manage to be welcoming and respectful to tourists,
understanding how important our role is in their economy. Not bullying and
threatening. Sorry to paint such a bad picture of Cairo, and of course it is
always the minority that spoils things for the majority, but the fact is that
tourists often feel intimidated when
they come to Cairo. We need to change this Ya Masr!
Anyway, back to Rhodes...
The hotel had put a complimentary half bottle of wine in my
room and after dinner I sat on my balcony with it, reading my book feeling that
maybe this cruise trip would not be so bad, that maybe in fact it was exactly
what my soul needed. Some time out from the stresses of my ‘normal’ life. What
can I say? It was a nice wine!
But oh the Greek yoghurt... ! So thick and creamy that it would not fall from the serving spoon at breakfast. That topped with honey for breakfast
was truly the food of the gods!
A short taxi ride to the port brought me the first glimpse
of what was to be my home for the next two weeks. I could not get over the size
of it. I’d never seen these huge cruise ships up close before. A floating hotel
for sure.
I was awarded a guest stateroom. Huge and
spacious and lovely.
In fact, add a kitchenette to it and I could probably live
in it quite happily!
Margo was the entertainment manager and she took me around
the ship to collect my name badge and staff pass and all such things and then
the time for that day was my own.
So I went up to the top deck of the ship;
Took numerous photos
of Rhodes;
And proceeded to fry myself until I became lobster coloured!
That was completely unintentional... but after the heat of Egypt the weather
really didn’t feel so hot, maybe being over the water made the difference but I
regretted my low factor sun cream for the rest of my trip (and I am still
peeling!!!). SO attractive- the pink, day-glo pink, bellydancer. Embarrassing,
painful lesson learnt! (and no I am NOT adding a photo of my flourescent skin since I don't want to blind you!)
Finding my way around the ship took most of the day after
that. Two pools, a casino, numerous bars and a nightclub and two theatres and a
gym and spa. They even had a basketball court on the very top of the ship
surrounded by nets so your ball wouldn’t fly out to sea!!
Anyway... bye bye Rhodes... it was lovely getting to know
you a little and I really hope sometime I get a week in your company. One of
the four locations over the course of my trip that went on the ‘must do again
with more time list’!
Word of warning- if you are turning green reading about my
lovely cruise already, then don’t read my blog for at least another week..... I
have too many photos I want to share! There, I warned you.
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