Kusadasi, Turkey April 8-9

Kusadasi was another return to a port that Noreen and I visited on an earlier cruise…..back in the 80s’  We had the opportunity to try some new adventures.  This is approaching Kusadasi at dawn.  The real question is what am I doing up so early??!

While I was up here I thought I’d show you a picture of the LRAD mount.  You can see that they have all been taken down.  Back to the normal concerns of fire, collision,  flooding, and running out of money.

Sailing in past Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) on which was built Pirate Castle (used against, not by, pirates) during the Ottoman era.

This is a two ambulance docking.  With a generally older complement of passengers there is usually some reason for medical attention when we dock.

Some local shots.  You can see where we start off.

Weaving a Turkish carpet (non-flying).  Notice anything on the right?

Can you beat a deal like this?

How about a name brand purse?

Of course

Century 21 real estate

Noreen and I split up.  I went for a Turkish bath.  I’m not sure where she went……

The entrance to my bath house.

You can’t take pictures inside and I don’t want to bore you with a description of the process.  It was interesting, relaxing, and a lot of fun.  In the end they wrap you in Turkish towels (what else?) and serve you apple tea.  You can relax in your private cubical as long as you like.  I got one self picture in there.  Next time we are in Turkey I have to  get another bath.

Not every business has a Turkish background.

Each country has it’s own type of taxi.

Just to let you know the competition exists.  But McDonalds has free Wi-Fi.  There is also Subway, KFC, and Dominos.

Now on to some history.  About 25 miles north of Kusadasi is the ancient city of Ephesus which has been inhabited over 6,000 years and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  Over it's existence it was visited by many of the key players in history.  Around 200 passengers, including Noreen and I,  were invited to attend a special evening presentation by The Aegean Chamber Orchestra at the Library within Ephesus.    The following pictures were taken at night by me.  I’ve included some day time pictures (taken by our table mates who where there during the day) of some areas so you can see the full detail.

This is a picture of the Library where our concert was held.  Known as the Library of Celsus it once held ~12,000 scrolls and an estimated seating capacity of 44,000. 

The orchestra playing on the steps of the Library.

The Library during the day.

The park was closed to all but our group.  After the intermission I left the group and moved into the ruins during the second half of the concert.  It was a very intriguing experience.  There wasn’t another person around and I as walked further into the dark even the music faded away.  Soon it was only me and the ghosts of those who had walked over these stones before; Caesar, Mark Anthony, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Augustus. 

As I walked away from the Library looking back.  This was a main thoroughfare.  This was the second largest city in the Roman Empire with a population of over 250,000 people.  Only a very little has actually been uncovered. 

Hercules Gate along the walk.  The legend says that if you stand between the pillars and touch them simultaneously you get the strength of Hercules.  The gate served as an entrance to a “Pedestrian Prescient.”  I think this means chariots were not allowed beyond this point.

Approaching the Hercules Gate.

The same walkway during the day looking back toward the Library.  Note the number of visitors.  It was better at night and alone.

Fountain of Trajan, dedicated by Aristion AD 102.

Tomb of Memmius, grandson of Sulla, 1st Cen BC.  I have no idea who they were.

This is an interesting picture of the result of a city constantly being destroyed and rebuilt.  That is a roman column being used as a interior wall support for a subsequent building.

The coliseum, one of the largest outdoor theaters in the ancient world.   You can get some idea of the scale by looking at the large crane on the right side.

An idea of the size of the area.

An interesting aspect of the whole area was the number of friendly, well cared for cats.  There were literally dozens.

I think you've had enough of Ephesus history so one more picture and we’ll move on.   No, I haven’t started drinking wine.  It belongs to Noreen.

Now this part of the story may be a bit hard to follow.  Remember Noreen went off by herself earlier in the day while I went to the Turkish Bath.  Well, she established a relationship with a jeweler and had ideas for some loose stones she had.  When we returned from the concert around 10:30 PM he was still at his store and happy to see her.  Here they are discussing some custom design ideas.  Agreements were made and plans for meeting the next day.

The next day we stopped for a little lunch by the fishing pier.

Then is was back to the jeweler to check on the items.

And, of course, the final activity.  Note the happy jeweler.  And some new additions to the purse collection.

Another cruise ship docked next to us and was heading south.  Note the mounted LRAD.  I guess these are standard equipment now for certain areas.

For my flying buddies I had to add this picture of an small airport.

And then later there it was again.

Another historical site in the area is the House of Mary where the virgin spent her last days.  This is a very popular pilgrimage and has been visited by three recent Popes.  We didn’t visit there so these are pictures from my table mates.  Just thought you might be interested.

That brings us to the end of our visit to Kusadasi.  Now we are off to Piraeus, Greece.