Rhodes For The Second Time

Sotos needs my services as a web designer for his kitesurfing school in Greece. We set off from the most miserable German summer ever to Rhodes. Strong winds greet us at the airport. After a short transfer, we arrive at the Hotel Delfini in Fanes.

We already liked the hotel three months ago when we were passing through, but it’s only when you stay here for a week that you realise what really fits: A green garden full of works of art. Flowers bloom swaying in the wind. Butterflies and birds fly around the bushes. Turquoise geckos compete with the sea. The food is excellent, the drinks at the beach bar cool.

I came to Rhodes to change the latter. The wind is strong for the first two days. To build a good homepage for a kitesurfing school, you have to know the spot, of course. There are worse ways and places to make a living. I make friends with the turquoise-blue water for more than eight hours in a full 20 knots of wind. The waves are moderate, the wind is constant and the sea turtle eggs on the beach are protected by small tents.

There are just 30 kiters out on 200 metres of sandy beach, and that’s in high season. I make an upwinder over 5 kilometres to the next village to the south, and then a downwinder into Switch. The beach is empty. As usual, I mess up all the landings at sunset. Mel and Astrid get hooked with a beginner’s kite course, then unfortunately the wind takes a break for a few days.

We drive to the old town of Rhodes. A cross passes by the bus window. On the roof terrace of the Minos guesthouse, we have the most expensive bike drink in town – and the best view. Unfortunately, we don’t have much time for shopping, the deadline pressure for the homepage is quite high and six days is simply not much time. Soto’s website is finished at the last minute: www.rhodeskitesurf.com. Good luck with it!

On the second day in the doldrums, my muscles feel like they’re going to give out. The worst lumbago I’ve had for several years completely knocks me out. Luckily, we meet an osteopath that same evening. He half-restores me on the dining table, and the hustle and bustle in the sea takes care of the rest on the last day. Rhodes was good, for the second time. See you soon!