Relaxing in Kos, Greece

One of the biggest challenges for me when I am cruising is to remember that taking time to relax is just as important as going full-throttle to make sure I experience everything that is available. So when the Azamara Quest pulled arrived in Kos, Greece, I was glad that I did not have any formal tours planned.

 Yesterday was an epic day in Kusadasi. After a double dose of adventure (an Cruise Global, Meet Local adventure to the countryside and an AzAmazing Evening in Ephesus), I was ready for an easy day in port.

Since the Quest was calling on Kos after peak season, cruise passengers were able to roam the streets unfettered by massive crowds. It was nice to roam around the city without the blazing heat of the summer or the extra people who flock to the legendary Greek beaches during high season.

 The local tourist office had a representative onboard to answer guests' questions. They provided me with a map, and I set off to one of Kos’s most popular attractions: The Fortress of Kos. Three Euros later, I was scaling the walls of Kos’ most imposing monument, which offers visitors some of the most amazing views of the city and harbor.

I looked at the map and had to chuckle a little. Kos has an old town and an ancient town -who knew? Much of the sites are easy to find, especially the ruins close to the ship. The throwbacks to Roman antiquity are a bit further off the beaten path. A visit to the amphitheater and bathing wells, across the road, are worth a gander. But purists might question the authenticity; especially once you do the math about how old everything is and what good shape some of the ruins are. My only goal for the day was to pay homage to Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who was born in Kos about 460 BC. Lucky for me, within walking distance of the ship is The Tree of Hippocrates, which, according to the legend, is the spot that Hippocrates of Kos taught his pupils the art of medicine.