SUP - Stand up Paddling
At Rhodes Roads we’ve chosen to show our guest another side of Rhodes. The Rhodes of scents and images of the isolated, quiet countryside where things move at their own pace unaffected by the intensity of the huge crowds and mass tourism. But that does an injustice to the well-known lovely -yet touristy- busy areas.
So we decided to visit a couple of those well-known areas too, but at a time when the crowds have died down and the beaches and landscapes breathe again in the gentle evening light.
Kallithea Springs is one of the loveliest, most unique areas we’ve chosen to tour on the SUPs at which is the best times of the day, evening.
You’ll cast your SUPs into the sea from the northernmost tip of Faliraki bay, famed for its endless stretch of golden sands. We’ll then paddle north with the rocky coastline and Kallithea Park on your left. Enjoy the green hues of the pines, the light brown of the rocks and the shades of blue and green in the crystal clear waters. Heading towards the springs, we’ll paddle past picturesque rocky bays with small taverns and multi-coloured awnings. It’s a lucky experience to be able to visit this amazing landscape empty of people. It’s also the time that the cormorants slowly start to appear from behind the rocks; they’ve been waiting all day for people to leave so they can enjoy diving into the depths in search of food.
Paddling north we’ll then turn left into the small bay with the Kallithea Springs. The view of the almost empty beach which was packed until a short time ago is riveting. Sit on the paddleboard with your feet in the water and take in the image. Behind the rocks is the imposing dome of the main building at the old spa therapy centre. The buildings are in the Arabian style; a style employed by the Italians on numerous buildings on the island during their occupation. The evening light creates a warm, calming atmosphere that helps you see the environment free of beach umbrellas and sunbeds. Imagine how the landscape looked before man came along. You’ll hear what the guide has to say about the island’s history, tradition, flora and fauna. We’ll then go ashore on the small sandy beach for a rest and some cereal bars.
On the return leg, the sun will have started to set behind the mountains. The golden twilight intermingles with the browns of the rocky coast and verdant pines. An unexpected scene of contrasts unfolds before you. Faliraki’s golden sands blend with Kallithea’s rocky coastline creating an amazingly colourful canvas lit by the setting sun.
As you reach the beach, the sun will have disappeared behind the mountains but the images will have been indelibly marked on your mind. An unforgettable evening in the sea, in one of Rhode’s most popular beauty spots, enjoyed free of people has come to an end; a real memory of a lifetime.
