Rhodes

Made it to Rhodes late last night.  After waiting at the hotel for the transfer to the airport for some time, when we finally arrived, the travel agent had allowed us one hour to check in and clear security.  There were lineups for security like you would not believe.  Stewart was extremely frustrated and cursing people (luckily under his breath!) for pushing past us in the line.  He was mad at his Canadian mum who doesn't usually push back and isn't aggressive in lineups.  His being frustrated actually helped me, though, as I was able to calm down and focus on keeping him calm.  The plane ended up leaving about 20 minutes late, and though the flight to Rhodes is only about 45 minutes, it was after 11:00 pm by the time we made it to the hotel.  It was a very small twin prop engine plane with only about 40 passengers - loud and somewhat less smooth in flight than a jet, but it got us here!

Entry to the Palace of the Knights

 We woke up this morning and examined Stewart's feet - he has been having rashes on his hands and feet, and this morning it looked like the sandals we bought him are irritating his feet.  We needed to find a pharmacy, but it was quite a walk to get there.  We got him some cream for the rash and then bandaids to protect from the sandals, however the bandaids were practically useless at staying attached.  He didn't complain too much, so I don't think there is too much pain.

Entry facade of Knights palace

After medical treatment, we carried on to check out the Palace of the Knights.  Rhodes was the centre of a large group of knights in medieval times.  They came from various parts of Europe and so the Street of the Knights has houses from different areas of Europe.  (I believe this group of knights became the Knights Hospitaller.)  The Palace is an immense building in excellent repair and houses, prinicpally, beautiful mosaic flooring.  We saw the Medusa mosaic, a mosaic of the nine muses, and several others, including many of geometric design.  After visiting the Palace we walked down the road to the Hospital building which is now an archaeological museum.  We saw more statuary, pottery, jewellry, etc., from various historical eras. It was the building itself, however, that enchanted me.  Built around a central courtyard, there were gardens, porticos (portica?) staircases, pergolas, and fish ponds - all kinds of little nooks and crannies.  If I had to recover in a medieval hospital, I think this would be the one I would chose!  Also accessible from the hospital was a small home from the era, decorated in a very eastern style with long bench-like seating covered in cushions.   

Medusa mosaic

Roof top courtyard of Hospital

Mosaic on rooftop of hospital

We continue our shopping; Stewart has now found a Japanese katana in one of the shops that he desperately wants to buy.  (There are several shops selling a variety of swords.)  It will not fit in the suitcase, so we are trying to work out whether mailing it home would work.  I have determined that weight wise, our suitcases are still ok - so does that mean I can keep on shopping?  :)