Post #21: Kusadasi and Ephesis

It is now 5:30pm 'ship time' Sunday,
(7:30pm PST according to my laptop)
I had hoped after being at sea all day
that the internet would be fast...NOT
Slowest time yet. Pictures not loading.
So, here is the narrative, pix to follow.
(This is Post is from Friday)
Maybe I can do the pix after dinner.
We had to set clocks forward a couple of days ago
So we get that hour back tonight. Good!


Met Levant at dock at 8:00am
Our four, Steve’s four, and Linda’s four.
Levant is a guide whose name we got from Cruise Critic
Steve, Linda and I decided to merge our four groups
It would out really well, and we saved money that way.
Nice large comfortable mini-bus
Drove out toward Ephesus
Countryside similar to So Cal hills,
Lots of agriculture: cattle, sheet, grapes, and of course olive trees
Didn’t have good picture taking seat on bus…bummer
Stopped at House of Virgin Mary. Very serene.
The Pope has said, this ‘could’ actually have been her house
Spent a long time at Ephesus…well worth it.
An ancient city on the slopes of the hills.
It ‘died’ when river silt filled the bay and boat access was lost, and an earthquake.
Essentially ignored for centuries as it slowly was covered with dirt
Only 10% has been un-earthed…on-going project. Acres and acres.
Amazing architecture and artifacts.
Layout was very similar to a city today.
Shopping area, churches, public toilets, Roman bath (our spas), library.
Large ‘theatre’ similar to Berkeley’s Greek theatre, and sports areas.
Theatre is till used to this day (added lighting and sound systems of course)
Separate (additional fee) viewing area of amazing homes (of the rich and famous)
Circulating hot and cold air, running water, ornate frescos (some erotic)
Grand architecture, beautiful mosaic floors, marble everywhere.
This was surely the Blackhawk of Ephesus!
Water source was from springs up to 7 miles away.
What a wonderful trip back into time!
Had a great lunch at a very non-touristy local restaurant
All the dishes were displayed and we all sampled different things.
Very nice local beer
On to a Museum that had the pieces of art and other ‘collectibles’ from Ephesus.
Ephesus had had quite a large medical equipment manufacturing business.
Many of their ‘products’ along with statues, urns, etc, on display at museum.
We all agreed to a stop a local loom. (Turkmen)
Saw how they extracted silk from cocoons, and made it into yarn.
Watched several young ladies weaving…takes months to make even a small rug
Were taken to a showroom, offered beer, wine, tea, water,
Shown different styles of rugs, comparing rugs of other countries
Then the sales pitch…and we bit.
Bought one…will use as wall hanging. Very nice…we’re happy
Had to wait while others finished their ‘negotiating’
All tired…no more touring
Drove back to ship
Said our goodbyes to Levant. Very nice man and very good tour guide.
Legs/knees VERY sore. LOTS of steps.
Rested, showered, then headed to dinner
It was an open seating night
You eat at same time, but different table, people, and wait staff.
This since we were in shore and they had an ‘on deck’ buffet
We experienced poor service (seated w/out menus then ignored)
Very slow wine steward.
Oh well, we didn’t have anything else to do anyway
But service had been very good up to then
Dinner options and quality were not up to usual standards either..
(Heard this as well from others from our ‘normal’ table the next night)
Sat with an interesting couple from Minnesota,
They are considering buying several rugs,
Dealer actually invited them out to dinner. THAT’s high pressure.
Quickly checked out the Turkish singers and dancers on deck after dinner
Then off to bed.
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Thanks to all for the comments.
I get a separate email for each one.

BTW, we are in cabin 9038...extra wide balcony,
But low overhang makes getting sunset shots a challenge.