Rhodes has surprised me, it was not what I expected. When I went up on deck this morning, I was amazed when I saw the walled medieval old town. It wasn't a ruin, it was complete as if it had been built in my lifetime. More of the old town later. First off this morning we drove for about an hour to the town of Lindos. Lindos was one of three towns founded in the 7th century BC. It has an Acropolis with the remains of a temple to Athena which was built before the one in Athens. It also has a large fortress which was build by the Knights of St John a society founded during the Crusades. In 1291 when the crusaders were expelled from the Holy Land, the Pope of the time, directed them to settle in Rhodes and continue to harass the Turks. They took control some years later and besides erecting the fortress at Lindos, rebuilt the town of Rhodes and strengthened the fortifications built over 15 centuries earlier. Anyway back to Lindos. Both Edie and I decided not to follow the leader today and climb up the 300 steps to the Acropolis. We elected to stay in the village and have 2 hours free time. An earthquake destroyed the village several hundred years ago, so the present buildings date from the 1600's. Once It became a world heritage site, no new buildings could be built. Some of the houses have been turned into shops and restaurants, and others into hotels. But there are still many used as homes. The streets and flat surfaces are made of flat pebbles, cemented in standing on their ends, so that it will last so much longer. However it's a bit hard on the feet. There were donkeys there to take tourists up the 300 steps for €5.00 each way. They looked so small to carry grown men, but they did. Once they get going they will not be diverted and if you get in their way.... Look out. There is a beach nearby on St Paul's Bay. It is believed the apostle Paul sheltered here during a storm. The village also appears in the movie "The Guns of Navarone". All too soon it was back on the bus and back to the city of Rhodes where our tour ended. It was a short walk to the old town. It was now 12.30, so we had about 3 and a half hours to explore and shop. Firstly however we had lunch. I had a scrimp salad with warm flat bread and Edie had a plate of French fries. Another milk shake, this time Banana, and I had half a litre of wine. There were shops and restaurants everywhere near the gates. However further away, entering the medieval streets was like stepping back in time. Only the presence of parked scooters put paid to this illusion. Still it was fascinating and very easy to get disorientated and end up lost. The knights of St John ruled until 1552, when the Turks with 200,000 men attacked the city with its 700 knights and 6000 local helpers. Six months later, the Turks had lost 90,000 men and 170 knights and 1500 helpers survived. A truce was called and the knights fell back to Malta, where they continued to hold there new island until Napoleons time. Before we knew it we had to return to the ship. We were really weary so had a lie down. It's a formal night tonight but we can't decide whether to go or not. Suddenly the sun was setting. It was 7.00. Had we dropped off? We decided not to get dressed up or even go to the cafeteria. We ordered room service instead. We have a big day tomorrow at Ephesus with lots of walking. The forecast is for cloudy weather with possible showers. Maybe the ponchos will get some use.