For the next stage of our trip we had the challenge of getting from Marmaris to Padua in Italy - not that easy if you are on a budget. Best option was to take the ferry back to Rhodes , spend a night there and then fly from Rhodes to Milan-Bergamo (budget airline airport).
At first I was not impressed at having to spend a night in Rhodes - but it proved to be really amazing. The hotel was much better than expected , fantastically located and staff really great. It gave us the chance to explore the old city of Rhodes, which has a fascinating history and many amazing renovated buildings, fortifications and ruins spanning more than 1500 years. The different houses of Knights of the Crusades fame /infamy made Rhodes their home over several centuries after the fall of Jerusalem. We just wandered through the little alleys and back streets - Clint having a field day photographing interesting doors for his rapidly growing door collection - the theme for this trip.
Something that we were both really sad about on our wanderings, was that there seems to be very little care taken by the local residents with this amazing World Heritage site. There is litter everywhere and every unused corner is filled with debris and litter. The general feel is that the locals have little pride in their town, as there seems to be no attempt to keep it clean or beautify it with some plants or flowers. There were few isolated corners where one could see that the local residents were making an effort and it made such a difference. this is in stark contrast to what we experienced in Spain, Portugal and now in Italy. Such a pity !