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The moment you step onto the soil of Rhodes, it’s immediately clear why they call it the Island of the Sun. The clear sky, the unreal sea color that ranges from turquoise to dark blue, high waves that seem to send out the message that you have come to the place so alive, where nature shows off with all its beauty and strength! Also, it’s almost always sunny.

How Helios got his land

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Walking around the harbor

But that’s not the only reason to call the place – the Island of the Sun. Actually, the island of – the Sun god! (Welcome to Greece, right!)

The story goes like this: when Zeus, the supreme god of the Greek mythology, defeated the Giants and became lord of the Earth, he has decided to divide it up among the Olympian gods. Since he has done it during night, Helios, the Sun god was, of course, absent and no one remembered to include him in a draw. Hence, he was left out with no land of his own.

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Few people on the beach at first

Helios returned in the morning and complained to Zeus about the injustice. Being one of Zeus’ favorites, he was promised to be rewarded “with the new land that would come forth from the sea”. While he was speaking, a beautiful, flower-strewn island emerged from deep blue waters.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Helios bathed the island in his own radiance and made it one of the loveliest islands in the Aegean Sea. He took the nymph Rhodos, daughter of Poseidon the Sea god, the creature whose beauty he was immediately smitten by, and married her, taking her to his land.

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Foaming waves on western side of the island

Hence the name of the island! They had three children who built the largest three towns – Kameiros, Ialyssos and Lyndos.

Rustling waves

So, just imagine reading the myth and arriving to the island. It was such a romantic moment, stepping out of the plane a week ago, looking for sunglasses – since the Sun god wanted to state his presence immediately, it seems. Smiled to Helios and was on my way.

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Beautiful walkway along the seaside

Rushed to buy some guide book, which I always do when I travel, since it becomes one genuine souvenir afterwards. (You should see my bookshelf back home!) There was no time to read it all that day, so I just flipped few pages and took a few glimpses of the harbor and the Old Town, and promised myself not to wait too long to go and explore. I rather went for a walk along the beachfront. That was one powerful sight to witness! Huge waves of turquoise water were crumbling towards the shore, leaving that rustling sound behind and the whitest foam sliding up and down onto the beach.

Famous sculptor

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Ruins of the Aphrodite Temple in the city

Hey, it just came to me then, Aphrodite the goddess was born out of the sea foam. The event occurred  in Cyprus, but still, it must have been a foam such as this, so thick and so white, fit for a god! My thoughts went further, towards one other goddess whose fame was somewhat preceded by the one of the statue of her. That was Nike Samothrace, the goddess of victory, we all well know because of the famous statue with no head and arms, the statue that is housed by the Louvre Museum in Paris. Remember standing in front of it like hypnotized years ago, mesmerized by its beauty.

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Replica of the statue of goddess Nike in Rhodes

And you know what! It is believed that the famous artist of Lindos in Rhodes is actually responsible for this masterpiece. His name was Pythokritos, and I didn’t think twice, but went to visit his hometown three days ago (more about it in Glimpses to come). Also, when you come to the harbor of the island’s capital, try to look around and you will not miss it, there stands another Nike, proudly referring to the famous sculptor. Being recent, this statue has a head on its shoulders, both arms, and its wings are intact.

Look, the nymph!

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The Sun god sure knows how to impress

Amazing fact, isn’t it! Those are small anecdotes, Glimpses, I am always thrilled about when traveling. You always learn something new and priceless if you allow yourself to be open, to explore. Then even those waves become somewhat different. Look, maybe the nymph, the daughter of the Sea god Poseidon her self, is just waving back from another foaming wave!

Smiled to myself, while trying to fight that water crumbling towards me, another huge wave that was pulling me down…

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View of the city from the Old Town

I actually don’t think that there was anyone else in the sea that afternoon. Few people were lying on their sunbeds, the rest of the beach was empty. And nobody was swimming, it was just too windy. They say it’s always windy in this part of the island, at the very peak looking over to Turkey, and along the west coast in general. While the east coastline is always perfect for spending time on the beach.

But that nymph “peeking” from the sea was just too alluring for me, I had to at least give it a try.

And I had a blast!

Next: JUST THE RIGHT VACATION TIME (2)

The full Rhodes Greece SERIES

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Comments:

  • 16/06/2017

    What a story! Could I please translate it and share on my blog? I mean the part about the god of the sun?

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    • 16/06/2017

      Hehehe, you are soooo kind, as usual! 🙂 Of course, do share. And thank you so much!

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  • Sladjaana

    16/06/2017

    Beautiful text! You wish to pack your bags and immediately went to Rodos!
    BR
    Sladjana

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  • 16/06/2017

    ????????

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  • And jela Krkljes

    16/06/2017

    Fantastic guidance through wonderful places put in a way you really want to teleport your self there.Excellent piece of writing. Keep on taking us on a new adventures,please.

    reply...
  • 18/06/2017

    It is so interesting to learn the origins of places that you visit. Especially when that history goes all the way back into mythology! I have not visited Greece yet, but this makes me want to delve deeper into mythology before I do go!

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    • 18/06/2017

      Sometimes is such a shame not to read about the place, its legends and history, because it’s always so much more than just another beach or a resort! Thanks! 🙂

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  • Rahul Khurana

    18/06/2017

    I liked the story of the Sun God linked to this island. It really seems a place to be explored in a person. Such stories do tell you a lot about the people, place and cultures. And I agree with you that, A Guide Book is a souvenir of the place you had visited. 🙂

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    • 18/06/2017

      Mythology and legends are always lovely, and you are so right – they say a great deal about people and the country. When it comes to Greek mythology, I loved it ever since I’ve read the first myth, years ago! 😀

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  • 18/06/2017

    I absolutely adore Greek islands and would love to explore some more of them. Also love how you started with the Greek myth to set the scene for the beauty of this island of the sun. Great touch!!

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    • 18/06/2017

      Thank you, so glad you like it! 🙂 I know you love Greek islands. Remember reading somewhere how you’ve said you want to go back to Santorini and I thought that I’d say the same thing about Rhodes soon! 😀

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  • 18/06/2017

    Some of this pictures of Rhodes reminds me of Split in Croatia. So beautiful and laid back. Hopefully I’ll be able to explore Greece sooner rather than later. Great post by the way! 😀

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  • 18/06/2017

    I absolutely love Greek mythology and the clever stories behind natural phenomena and man made structures. Being able to see sights like this with such incredible history is one of the greatest treasures of traveling. This is definitely going on my list.

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    • 20/06/2017

      I know, I always enjoy places like this. Sure, there are beaches, but so much history as well, myths and legends, that you just have to be taken by it all! 😀

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  • Steph @ The Pink Backpack

    19/06/2017

    I really like how you integrated the history (or the legend I should say) about Rhodes. It is really interesting and gives some context to know more about a place I think 🙂 Awesome post!

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    • 20/06/2017

      Thank you so much, it’s hard not to be mesmerized by the island! 🙂

      reply...

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