symi island and a glimpse of Turkey

Top of our list of things to do while in Rhodes was a trip to the beautiful and quirky Symi Island. Not knowing too much about the island, we took a coach to Rhodes town and jumped on a ferry which took us to Symi in about three and a half hours. 

The ferry trip took us along the Turkish coast and the small town was simply beautiful when we arrived in the harbour - quirky colourful houses clinging to hills with a vibrant harbour area packed with restaurants for the hundreds of tourists that come to check out the island each day.

We chose a lovely, family-owned and run taverna (Greek restaurant) for lunch before setting out to explore for a few hours. Amongst the usual souvenir shops, we discovered the small island with a population of only 2,500 was popular for two products - sponges, and leather goods.

A wide array of sponges on offer, apparently they all serve different purposes

After admiring some of the leather goods in one stall, the woman took us behind the scenes to the workshop where she proudly showed off some leather art made by her boss which made the Guinness Book of Records - it is a picture of the town, comprised completely of tiny dots. Very impressive!

Once we got talking, the owner encouraged us to go up the steps behind his shop to his house, "only 50 steps and the best view of Symi"... he wasn't wrong! We were not on his porch for more than two minutes before a British man about 10 steps above him invited us up to his porch for an even better view... Symi residents love to show off their town!

By now we were sweating up a storm so we made a beeline for a beach, which was absolutely beautiful and really unique - about knee deep for about five metres out before it suddenly dropped off and you were in above your head - the contrast can really be seen too!

The second stop of the trip was the south of the island, about 45 minutes by boat, and the main attraction here was the Panormitis Monastery. I have to admit that it didn't hold much appeal, although it was beautiful, I was far more enthralled by the kitten we came across by the harbour!

All in all it was a fantastic, but tiring day. We returned to our hotel exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep.... which we didn't get. Music until 2am, loud arguments, a barking dog at 5am and swarms of mosquitos did not make for a good night at all!