The bus collected us up before seven and away we went to catch the ferry in Rhodos for our sea excursion to another Greek Island.
This was an adventure. The Mclaughlan's are not known for their seat legs so anticipating a two hour trip at sea required a certain mindset to approach the day with.
We need not have worried as the water was calm and the cruise was marvellous - we sat out in the sun on the top deck amidst the ocean breezes and enjoyed the views of the Turkish coastline, other small islands and even a dolphin or two approached our vessel.
We had heard that this was a very beautiful island to visit and we were not disappointed.
It was a gorgeous place, houses were perched on the edge of the steep hills, colorful and distinctive with their symmetrical shapes and steep pathways leading up and down to the beachfront.
It is said that the women of Symi had the most shapely legs in Greece because of their daily climb for food and other necessities . The houses also looked as if they have been thrown randomly at the hillside and indeed legend had it that a giant's hand did throw them against the hills,I have forgotten why but guess the story changes with the telling.
The bay is packed with boats of every description,those for earning a living from traditional practices such as sponge harvesting are now very few but pleasure craft and luxury liners are to the fore . Every eating place was doing a roaring trade . Our guide says this all changes in winter months and the population is a fraction of the previous times when sponge diving was their commercial livelihood and some fishing was also important.This is why all the houses face the sea , not for aesthetics but for watching out for loved ones coming in from the sea.
The horizon is dominated by another impressive Knights Temple ruined castle and over three hundred churches belong on this island.
We were taken to see the sponge shop and given a description of the 'best practice' of preparing the sponges for the market . These days only five varieties may be harvested over a two year cycle because the beds became depleted . The one that took my fancy was called Elephant Ears and the people working outside in the sun used them as a hat soaked with cold water to keep them cool. It resembled a coolie hat shape but nobody would be seen dead in it today!
Olive oil was big here too with lovely body lotions and creams available in a myriad of shops. The commercial heart was alive and well. Forget stories of Greece as a basket case,only some places are suffering. During the summer there is full employment in these islands.
We had another three course traditional meal at lunch time which set us up for about twenty four hours I think.
We did some shopping in our free time and then it was back on board for the rest of our cruise around the island with a stopover in a sheltered little bay to visit an impressive church. Lou and I were put off by the throng of keen folks so we visited a little bakery and bought apple pies for our tea,this was on the guides recommendation no less . Right he was, delicious fare.
We loved our day on the water but we were ready for an early night after our day out.It must have been the large dose of sea air.
This was an adventure. The Mclaughlan's are not known for their seat legs so anticipating a two hour trip at sea required a certain mindset to approach the day with.
We need not have worried as the water was calm and the cruise was marvellous - we sat out in the sun on the top deck amidst the ocean breezes and enjoyed the views of the Turkish coastline, other small islands and even a dolphin or two approached our vessel.
We had heard that this was a very beautiful island to visit and we were not disappointed.
It was a gorgeous place, houses were perched on the edge of the steep hills, colorful and distinctive with their symmetrical shapes and steep pathways leading up and down to the beachfront.
It is said that the women of Symi had the most shapely legs in Greece because of their daily climb for food and other necessities . The houses also looked as if they have been thrown randomly at the hillside and indeed legend had it that a giant's hand did throw them against the hills,I have forgotten why but guess the story changes with the telling.
The bay is packed with boats of every description,those for earning a living from traditional practices such as sponge harvesting are now very few but pleasure craft and luxury liners are to the fore . Every eating place was doing a roaring trade . Our guide says this all changes in winter months and the population is a fraction of the previous times when sponge diving was their commercial livelihood and some fishing was also important.This is why all the houses face the sea , not for aesthetics but for watching out for loved ones coming in from the sea.
The horizon is dominated by another impressive Knights Temple ruined castle and over three hundred churches belong on this island.
We were taken to see the sponge shop and given a description of the 'best practice' of preparing the sponges for the market . These days only five varieties may be harvested over a two year cycle because the beds became depleted . The one that took my fancy was called Elephant Ears and the people working outside in the sun used them as a hat soaked with cold water to keep them cool. It resembled a coolie hat shape but nobody would be seen dead in it today!
Olive oil was big here too with lovely body lotions and creams available in a myriad of shops. The commercial heart was alive and well. Forget stories of Greece as a basket case,only some places are suffering. During the summer there is full employment in these islands.
We had another three course traditional meal at lunch time which set us up for about twenty four hours I think.
We did some shopping in our free time and then it was back on board for the rest of our cruise around the island with a stopover in a sheltered little bay to visit an impressive church. Lou and I were put off by the throng of keen folks so we visited a little bakery and bought apple pies for our tea,this was on the guides recommendation no less . Right he was, delicious fare.
We loved our day on the water but we were ready for an early night after our day out.It must have been the large dose of sea air.
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