Onto to Kusadasi - the city of the Biblical city of Ephesus

After a fairly long sail from Istanbul (leaving at 1:00 pm) we arrived in Kusadasi, the location of the ancient City of Ephesus at 11:00 am the next day. After lunch we went on a bus tour. The first stop was the traditional setting of the home of the Virgin Mary. When He was on the cross, Christ entrusted John with the care of his mother and it rumoured that he took her out of Jerusalem because of the danger to her. Next we went to the ancient city of Ephesus which used to be a port right by the sea. Since the waters have subsequently receded, the city is now on dry land. It is a huge site as reportedly one-quarter of a million people once lived there. There is a massive theatre where meetings and performances would have been held. Everywhere there are marble ruins. Most of the city was destroyed by an earthquake but evidence is everywhere.

After exploring the different ruins we were off to another carpet manufacturing co-operative where we contemplated buying a beautiful Turkish rug. (We were first given a wonderful Greek lunch to endear the people to us.) In the end we chose not to purchase as we don’t know where we will end up living but the chief presenter gets top marks for his persuasiveness!

We returned to the ship in the evening. Every night at about 9:30 there is a show - comedian, guitarist, female vocalist and pianist/vocalist. All very entertaining.

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