May 1 - First full day

Daily activities
April 2006

Sunday
Departure
Tønsberg

Mai 2006

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This first day, we attended the briefing meeting by Star Tours and then we participated in the city tour, showing the localities around the hotel. We jumped the bus at the end and had a nice meal in the old city before returning to the hotel.

	To the left, the other block of Dionysos hotel. To the right, in between the 5 story buildings, is the pool area.
	The street outside the hotel area towards the mountains. Nice and quiet streets with little traffic.
	The whole area was beautifully draped with all kind of flowers. Caitlin seen here with some of them in the lobby area. Martin also enjoys the flowers.
	The use of colors and flowers were excellent. A fantastic mix of complimentary colors all over the show. Very tasteful. And so was the pool area. It could be seen from all angles.
	Some of the lush gardens of the hotel compound. Beautiful. Martin waiting for the brunch under the canopy next to the pool. And the Greeks know how to make salads.
	Some of the constructions around the pool area. And the block where we stayed at the top floor.
	The view straight down from our room onto the bright red chairs below. In the afternoon, we went for a city trip to see the local area. Our hotel sign at the exit of the hotel.
	The sandy beach next to the hotel. Too windy and stony and too cold this part of the year. On to the bus, we were taken to an old church ruin. Since it was May 1st, they had a barbeque laid out by the municipality.
	Filerimos was the guy that laid the foundations of the monastery in 600 AD. A nice alley where the local strolled this day off.
	Impressive alley of the local trees. At the entrance of the church that was destroyed and the rebuilt by the crusaders that ruled the island from 1200 to 1640 when the Turks took over.
	Inside the church burning candles, a Catholic tradition. The view from the top, overlooking Rhodes, the capital city of the island.
	Another view of the town. Caitlin and Martin under the trees surrounding the monastery.
	The monastery where the monks lived. On the stairs to their humble dwellings.
	The big 18 meters tall cross on top of the island that you can walk up its inside. Strenuous trip. And the good monks did make their own herb liqueur that the sold. Some seven different herbs in their mix and they had free samples of it.
	Martin feeling the glow of the liqueur. The tradition has it that they are putting flowers on their cars this day of the year and leave them there until they deflower. Nice tradition.
	Every ancient Greek city had their acropolis and this one is the one on this island. The guide is telling the story about the traditions concerning the olympics.
	The local guide in action. She spoke OK Swedish and was quite knowledgeable, but difficult to understand. Back to the harbor where the liners come and go all the time. Turkey is just a couple of hours away.
	The view of the harbor and it yacht and private boats. Part of the old wall built by the crusaders.
	More walls. The crusaders from the different countries in Europe had different parts of the wall to maintain and defend. Then on to the vinery where wine was tasted by thirsty Scandinavians. Very much appreciated.
	The tanks where they had the wine. And the shop where they sold their products after we had a free taste of their products.
	Martin and the empties. He didn't drink them all. The sign outside the distillery. They also made hard tack like Oyzo, the local spirituous enjoyed by the Greeks.
	The main entrance to the factory. Then back to the old city with its various entrances.
	Close-up of the gate. And the market place where we sat on the second floor for a nice meal.
	And here you got the beer in glass boots. A nice touch. Having a boot beer, waiting for the food to arrive.
	These boots are made for drinking. And the interior of the restaurant.