The time jumped ahead one hour in the night, so it was dark when we got up. We reached the port of Kusadasi about 7:30 am as the sun was coming up.
The sea gulls were chasing this small boat through the port.
First daylight view of Kusadasi. We saw the Turkish flag flying everywhere.
Ricky wasn't feeling up to the long walk our excursion would require, so I set off solo to find our tour guide and bus.
We drove about 15 minutes from modern Kusadasi to the ruins of ancient Ephesus.
We drove past many nice vacation homes and orchards on the way. There were olive, peach, and fig orchards along the way.
Cotton fields. According to our guide, the cotton is picked by hand to preserve the long fiber.
The upper edge of ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was founded in the 10th century B.C. and taken over by the Romans in 129 B.C. According to mythology, Ephesus was founded by the Amazons, who were strong female warriors. (Girl power!)
There were a lot of cats and dogs on-site. The dogs were ear tagged, indicating they were cared for by the government.
Our guide, Tronch. He stated he also lectures at the University.
Terracotta pipe used in the ancient water system. According to the guide, all the houses they have excavated had running water brought by an aqueduct from the mountain, powered by gravity. The terracota pipe also carried to waste water away to the sea.
Senate building. This looked like a small amphitheater
The ancient road was lined with columns.
According to Tronch, this hole anchored a torch used to light the ancient road.
Ancient scoring to make the marble less slippery.
Caduceus, sign of medicine or medical care
Mortar and pestle, indicating a pharmacy
Hermes with a ram.
Walking down the road paved in marble that so many feet have trod before me.
Ancient fountain
Mosaic on the ground, alongside the paved marble road and in front of a house.
Library of Celsus. According to our guide this was the third largest library in the ancient world that housed 12,000 scrolls before it was destroyed by a series of fires, invasions, and earthquakes. This facade was restored in the 1970s.
By tradition, the ancient square and market place where Paul preached to the citizens of Ephesus.
Believed to be inscribed into the marble road by ancient Christians to communicate their presence to new arrivals. The roadway connected the harbor to the agora (marketplace) and theater.
The ancient theater seated 25,000, which is estimated to be 1/10th of the population. Ephesus was believed to be a city of 250,000.
Cafe next to the bus parking lot on my way out of the ancient ruins. We rode the bus back into the modern port city.
The excursion included a "carpet demonstration" that is expected/required of all cruise visitors. Some of it was very interesting. I saw a demonstration of how silk thread is spun from the cocoons and how the carpet is knotted.
This woman was working on a carpet of intricate design.
This is where the hard selling tactics started. Six men stood in front of the door. We were a captured audience.
We had many opportunities to see and purchase one or more Turkish rugs.
Turkish delight for sale on the way back to the ship.
The shopping experience was not exactly as I expected. I was glad to be back on board ship and reunited with Ricky.
Back on board, we reunited in the Explorer's Lounge. This Fortress is guarding the harbor, as seen from the large windows where we were sitting.
Success cake from Mamsen's. Everyone in my life needs a piece of this sugar heaven!
James learned "Gringo Honeymoon" for us, and we danced on the bow of the Neptune as we sailed across the Mediterranean away from Turkey, headed to Rhodes.
Ricky found the crab legs, shrimp, and scallops waiting for him at the buffet.
We went to bed early with full stomachs, satisfied that we had ended the day on a high note.
La'huta!
IYKYK
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