Kusadasi, Turkey

Giving thanks for Turkey is almost too low hanging fruit on the pun tree so I promise not to go there ;-).

Today was another great day of history, archeology, sociology, theology and consumerism. We docked late due to rough waters. It was sooo rough (how rough was it?), our night table drawers opened and closed themselves multiple times during the night due to the side to side sway of the ship. I'm not kidding. Thankfully the extreme rocking put us into a deep sleep, but I bet some people got no sleep at all.

Kusadasi is the busiest port in Turkey and is the gateway for cruisers to Ephesus. We were one of the first boats this tourist season, which is just starting.

I knew Turkey had a rich history but I guess I never really put all the pieces together. Turkey is where Europe meets Asia, so it's a melting pot. In addition to having its own turkish goods and services, it was a major trade thoroughfare between Europe and Asia/Africa, especially in biblical times and before sea routes were developed. Istanbul was formerly called Constantinople, after the emporer Constantine, who declared Christianity an official religion. The geographic significance lead to historical significance.

In present times, Kusadasi is a resort town, which has normally mild temperatures and 300 days of sunshine. This helps them produce all the food they need and therefore don't import any grown or raised product. That's impressive.

Here are some pics from the 30 minute ride to our first stop, the house where Mary, mother of Jesus, spent her final years.

The house where Mary spent her final years was with John, the apostle. I'm a bit skeptical to be candid. It was a 2 room stone house that has been reconstructed on the original foundation. Nothing's original inside and it functions mainly as a shrine. The Vatican actually owns the property. And we weren't allowed to take pictures inside. So I wasn't overwhelmed with sentiment at the religious significance but some people were quite convicted by it all.

It's a bit sacraligious perhaps, but there was a geocache close by and so we snagged it, my only one I was able to do in Turkey as we were on a guided tour. Met another gecacher from our ship, Alanna (center) who I'd met before but we never discussed geocaching. She has over 10,000, so my 4,600 pale in comparison.

Here's another few pics from the site

We then headed off to the main attraction, the lost city of Ephesus. Built in the 10th century BC, the city was famous in its day for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), which has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its many monumental buildings included the Library of Celsus and a theatre capable of holding 24,000 spectators.

Ephesus was recipient city of one of the Pauline epistles; one of the seven churches of Asia addressed in the Book of Revelation; the Gospel of John may have been written there; and it was the site of several 5th-century Christian Councils.

The escavation and careful reconstruction started in the mid 1800's. I'm anxious to compare pics from our 1996 trip to our 2023 trip. Here are 12 of my favorite pics but I took over 100 so be thankful.

On our last trip, we heard that there was a secret tunnel under the street connecting the library and the brothel, but that myth was determined to be false. I liked the old version better.

After Ephesus, we headed back to the ship and arrived by about 3:30. Before getting back on the ship, we shopped in the bazaar, and had a great time. We purchased many pashmenas for gifts, a pillow cover and a set of chess pieces I've been looking for in every port. Years ago, I made a chess board from old Corian samples a salesman left with us. One day, I felt inspired to make something with them and made a chess board that has received many compliments over the years. I thought about making chess pieces as well but that's a BIG project and frankly, I have too much on my plate. So on a world cruise, certainly I could find great pieces at a great price.....not as easy as it sounds. But finally I found solid metal pieces with great designs for only $38. Some places wanted $180, so it's important to shop around and know what things are worth.

Once back on the ship, we had a late lunch/early dinner and then relaxed due to a lot of walking. At 7:30, we went to the show which was a comedian, and he was pretty good.

So all in all, a great day. Tomorrow, Gythion, Greece. Hasta manana.