End of May and early June we spent two and a half weeks in Crete and Rhodos. In Crete we explored several Minoan palaces, but also had time to relax for six days on the beach. The beach place - Xerokampos - was an inside trip from my colleague who grew up on the island. We had a great place to stay at, there we practically no tourists, so it was nice.After almost two weeks in Crete it was time to say good bye. We boarded our ferry and took an all day ride (13hours) to Rhodos. The ride was great fun. You saw many islands pass by. The ferry stopped at some of them. The trucks loading and unloading carried all kinds of stuff (from building materials to vegetables and gasoline). Not surprising, since the ferry system is the islands' only connection to the outside world.
Rhodos was truly amazing. The town and island was the seat of the Templar Knights and is today a world heritage site. We stayed at a wonderful family run hotel in an old Italian villa (note: untill 1948 Rhodos belonged for about 30 years to Italy). The walled city and palace was truly amazing. During the day it was teeming with cruise ship visitors. However, the back alleys were empty even during the day. In the evening when the daytrippers returned to their ships it was quiet. The famous Street of the Knighs was empty in the evenings. There was so much to see that we could not make it to the ancient sanctuary and Acropolis of Lindos. Oh well, we have to go back. Maybe next year.
Our final trip was a day long stopover in Athens. We really wanted to see the new Acropolis Museum, but it was not yet open (it opened a few weeks later). So I guess we have to come back to Athens as well. Instead we saw the National Archeological Museum and Acropolis again. And we met Cosmo again, who was still trying to get customers for his restaurant. We jocked with him last year, and at first he did not recognize me, but when he saw the kids then he remembered. Of course we ate at his restaurant. We all had lot's of fun.
The road to Xerokampos:
The modern Athens Archeological Museum:
