In the past seven days I have travelled around the whole island of Rhodes as I try to familiarise myself with the place of my birth.
The highlight so far has been visiting the old city, built by the Knights of St John, who essentially bought the island’s capital off its administrators.
Property transactions have obviously not been invented by some real estate agent in Sydney in 1810.
The old city of Rhodes is covered by a World Heritage Order and no wonder: the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights is an astonishing historical building and I recommend that you allow at least four hours to check it out if you ever make it to Rhodes.
I won’t say too much more here about it, because of course these days most of us will go off and Google it.
But I did love the Rhodes Knights Latin motto: Virtus ariete fortiori – virtue is stronger than a battering ram.
Top 5 though offers tips of a more mundane nature to anyone who visits Rhodes or Rhothos as the locals call it.
But what all five have in common is an Aussie link because it’s always nice to have a bit of that when we’re away from the Lucky Country.
Number 1. Accommodation. There is a massive variety on offer, from studio apartments to five star hotels on the water. Rosebery Rooms, 100 metres from Faliraki beach, are very good value.
Number 2: You will need a car to get around the island and Epsilon Rent A Car, also in Faliraki, where Nikos and Xrisoula will look after you like a first cousin.
Number 3: If you get thirsty and only a big, cold beer on tap will quench it, head down to Jimmy’s Pub along the main drag in Faliraki beach, about 50 metres from the water’s edge. Depending on the time of the year, one of the many TV screens will be showing something from Australia, from State of Origin to A-League soccer.
Number 4. Need a haircut while in Rhodes? The coolest hairdresser in the smartest looking salon is Mike G in Faliraki. He’s as good as my man Tony from Attz in Queen Street, Campbelltown and just as amiable.
Number 5: If after getting a haircut you fancy a bit of late night Greek karaoke over a few ouzos walk around the corner to Alabama Bar and Diner, run by Yianis, who was born Down Under. They also do great cocktails here.
Yiasas (see youse).
