Chapter 6
SIX
On the way to the hotel where I will be living and working for the summer months, I take in the gorgeous views, my taxi driver chatting amiably.
He makes a recommendation for a restaurant in the old town of Rhodes, as we pass rocky hills interspersed with pine trees, and fields of olive trees in the distance. The road is quiet and I settle into my journey with the friendly driver.
‘The best on the island,’ he continues. ‘It is my brother’s restaurant but even so I would not recommend if it was no good.’ He smiles through his mirror. I am in the back seat. I always ride back seat in a taxi, just in case. Of what, I am not sure.
‘Good to know,’ I tell him, making a note of the restaurant on my phone.
We take the short journey towards the town that passes several olive groves, along with more dry terrain and I spy a handful of mountain goats standing on the high, rocky ground.
The villages have traditional stone houses with wooden shutters, some whitewashed, and with mopeds propped against the walls outside.
Some of the villages have a sprinkling of bars and cafés, with pink bougainvillea spilling over the walls.
Soon enough, the landscape changes once more and as we approach Rhodes town, the traffic is so busy I wish the journey through the sleepy villages could have lasted a little longer. Especially when a motorbike whizzes past so closely I catch my breath, although the taxi driver seems unfazed.
Edging out of the town centre, we climb a mountain road for a couple of minutes, and I take in the lush greenery all around, which at once lifts my spirits. The night is closing in now, the sun making its final descent towards the water in the distance.
I am soon deposited outside the Apollo Hotel.
The slightly elevated position, although only a short downhill stroll to the beach, and flanked by forest, takes my breath away.
Nestled beneath towering pines, and shrouded in growing darkness, the only lights are coming from the solar lights dotted around the pool.
There isn’t a sound apart from that of the crickets emitting their distinctive noise in the surrounding trees.
I thank my driver and give him a tip, before I stand with my suitcase for a minute and simply take in the lush surroundings.
The view of the sea with the reflection of the silvery moon dancing upon it has me dreaming of early morning swims before I start my shift and I immediately feel my shoulders relax.
I breathe deeply as I take it all in. I am here!
I arrived in one piece, and I wonder what I was so worried about.
I am proud to say that it all went without a hitch.
I just hope I can say the same about the rest of my stay here for the next three months.
I don’t have anything to rush back home for.
It makes me determined to ensure everything here is going to be the best it can be.