The iconic European Vespa scooter.

Wandering about Rhodes, Greece, on our Mediterranean cruise photographing the unique doors was a highlight on this day.  What is this home like inside?  Very few windows and the few there are seem to be boarded up.  Does the home open in the back with a grand terrace or patio?  The pipe flagpole holder is not simply for displaying the Greek flag.  Throughout Europe there are many competitions, cultural festivities, town rivalries and soccer matches, all of which may result in flying a local team or regional flag.

Notice in the photo how the door entrance is peaked at the top indicating very old construction, yet the ‘newer’ replacement door is the more typical square variety.  I do not think the two small rocks near the front tire of the Vespa are random.  They have some purpose, but what?  Very seldom do you find screens on windows throughout Europe.  This resulted in me having over 100 mosquito bites when departing Venice years ago.  Photos of Venice – 2014  In this section of Rhodes, yellow seemed the dominate color to paint the front of your home.  Rather than a picture being worth a thousand words, this one is worth a hundred questions.

Yellow Walls of Rhodes, Greece

These walls are appearing extra vibrant yellow as the sun was being reflected from the opposite wall. Photographers search out this bright reflected light, yet not bright enough to cast shadows.  In addition to the bright yellow color, this particular wall was selected as it was at the end of the street so it had a sign stating the name of the street.  It is just telling you it is Klisthenous Street.

I took a peek at the cardboard note hung on the door.  However, I could not read it, as it was all Greek to me…

Gardeners and non-gardening neighbors.

Even the cats are yellow

I was not going to initially include this photo.  After all, how many yellow walls does one really need to see?  Then I saw the cat on top of the wall.  I do not think I saw the cat when taking this photo.  Seems like this door enters into a courtyard and not directly into the home.

The flying buttress is a common requirement of stone walls.

Stone walls are great for vertical support but not so good for sideways strength.  Enter the flying buttress.  I’m not sure what makes a buttress flying or a regular buttress.  Regardless, this is a very European photograph.  What a shock it must be to Europeans to see three or four car garages and large front lawns when they travel to the US.  I do realize we are visiting the very old, ancient part of the city.  The entire island does not look like this…

Rhodes, Greece

Kalithia Springs Resort

Kalithia Springs used to be part of ancient mineral baths, but now is an all inclusive type resort.  My goal was to photograph the curved walls I had seen in brochures.

My time was very limited so I had to hurry.  The first cab I solicited refused to take me for reasons unknown.  A second cab said it would be $100 as he would have to wait for me since “there will be no cabs there for the return.”  How could there be a big hotel and no taxi service? So I hopped out of cab number two while the driver was shouting a revision to his offer.  After walking a few blocks, away from the cruise ship, I caught a cab to take me there for $15, I gave him $20.  After nervously photographing for an hour or so, I easily found a cab for the ride back.

I should have brought a wider lens, but had to make do with what I had, a 24mm lens.

A black and white version of the walkways leading to rooms.

Numerous guests were walking around in swimsuits, so it was uncomfortable at times.  I assured several I was not interested in photographing their swimsuit, only the architecture.  

It got worse. This hallway was leading to the restrooms. More suspicion of the fully dressed guy with a big camera.

The entrance to the rooms was through a cave.

Ephesus, Türkiye

The grand Library of Celsus.

This site offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of ancient religion and daily life, making it an overcrowded Mediterranean cruise boat destination.  

I was surprised to see the sidewalks were all white marble.  Seems like an odd choice for this hilly terrain as it could be very slick in the rain.  Why did they select marble?  Well, it is not imported.  The walkways are made of the marble found in these ancient ruins, like the library floor and the temples.

Walking through the marble streets of Ephesus, one can sense the historical and spiritual significance this place has held for various civilizations.

Mediterranean Cruise Continues

Cruise-ships-a-plenty.  As pretty as the above scene is, it is taken to show part of the problem I have with cruising.  Your Mediterranean cruise ship will not be the only ship in port.  You will easily be one of four or more cruise ships.  Although our ship was on the smaller side, four ships can still represent 10,000 excited tourists pouring into and taking over a picturesque village.  All these people are trying to take similar photos and the endless selfies.  When we traveled extensively after retirement, we would stay in each town we visited for at least a week, sometimes up to three weeks.  That was much more relaxing and rewarding, especially from a photographic perspective.  It was always very apparent when the cruise boats arrived and when they left in the evening.

One of several ships which docked next to us on our Mediterranean cruise.

With cruising it is nice to not have to pack and unpack your bags for the next destination, but at such brief visits one does not really get to explore the sights.

Off Into the Sunset

The cruise ship decks are crowded with passengers clicking photos of the sunsets.  Off we go to our next destination.

Our Mediterranean cruise continues.  See you in Mykonos and Santorini, Greece.