up in the hills

This week's instalment was supposed to be about our day trip to the beautiful island of Symi. I'd sorted out the best day to go for the shortest  journey time and where to catch the ferry from in Rhodes harbour - however sorting out Greece's financial crisis is definitely out of my league! Nationwide industrial action here in Greece put paid to that and caused quite a bit of disruption for people travelling into Rhodes. As I write further strife is expected tonight in Athens following the imminent bail out vote. As visitors to this wonderful place we are in a bit of a bubble as to the issues that face ordinary Greek people so in the scale of things a delayed trip to Symi isn't that troublesome.

So, as it was a bit overcast for a day on the beach and wanting to show our guests a bit of the island it was into the hire car and off out for a drive across the island towards Monolithos. With Mrs H driving from the backseat as usual we made our from Gennadi and up into the hills; passing olive groves and vine yards with the beehives of the local honey producers nestled in clusters between them.I'd read reviews of our planned lunch stop on tripadvisor and thanks to our eagle eyed passenger we spotted the sign for the Old Monolithos Taverna.

Finding a seat on the covered terrace with views out to the hazy distant shoreline we were greeted by the owner's dog who promptly laid on its back in a friendly comatose stupour as if to introduce us to the relaxed atmosphere that awaited. After a warm greeting from the owner followed by advice on what we should order, we spent a wonderful laid back lunchtime sampling delicious home-cooked Greek food that left us all struggling to fit back in our "cosy" car.  Definitely somewhere to visit again.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1188094-d3568246-Reviews-The_Old_Monolithos-Monolithos_Rhodes_Dodecanese_South_Aegean.html


Onwards to Sianna and its very pretty church  for some more photos and even a spot of photo bombing