An old fort on Pigeon Island at the Port of Kusadasi buitl to protect residents from pirates.
Kusadasi means "bird Island" and is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Turkey.
The population of is approximately 50,000 people.
The yearly salary in Kusadasi is $5,000.
To purchase an oceanfront house it costs $150,000.
Kusadasi is know for great shopping!
An amusement park.
We are on our way to some ancient sites
A statue of Virgin Mary.
We are headed to the top of a mountain to the House of Virgin Mary.
Before Jesus was crucified he told St. John to get his mother Mary to a safe place.
Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life here in this house.
The house has been turned into a chapel/shrine to Virgin Mary.
Pope VI claimed the site authentic in 1967.
Each year a traditional service is celebrated to honor Mary's Assumption to heaven.
This is what it looks like inside. It's teeny tiny.
Below the red line is the original foundation.
The Fountain of Our Lady provides the faithful water from the holy foundation.
This is a prayer wall. People would travel from miles to visit the site. They would rip off a piece of their clothing to leave with their prayer. Now people leave kleenex or paper.
After a 20 minute drive we have arrived in Ancient Ephesus.
Ephesus is considered the Pompeii of Turkey.
A Turkish bathouse at the entrance of the city. People had to wash before entering Ephesus. If they looked sickly they wer not allowed in. The city never had to deal with deadly plagues.
It is the most ancient city in the world., founded in 3000 B.C., and houses one of the best collections of remains dating from Roman and early Christian times.
They are slowly trying to piece back the city.
Ephesus was the second largest city of the Roman Empire and also thought to be the site of the Christian Shrine. St. Paul once preached here.
This city of 250,000 people was so advanced that it had a sewage system of clay pipes.
These pipes carried waste out into the ocean. Between the baths and the sewer system this was one heatlthy city!
This city also had hot and cold water!
The streets were made of marble.
Notice the marble streets to the right.
The Arcadian Way is the main street through the city. This marble covered road had stores lining each side.
This beautiful structure is the Celsus Library.
Notice the library in the distance.
This shot is taken from the top of the hill looking down towards the library.
This was one of the entrances to a store lining the street.
Look at how the marble on the street has lasted.
Mike takes photos as we slowly head down the street towards the library.
The wealthy would live in these houses along the Arcadian Way.
Notice the mosaic sidewalk just next to the street.
The beautiful mosaic sidewalk still intact.
Notice the colors!
The structure at the end of the sidewalk is an excavation of a mansion. The largest house they found so far!
Is this Medusa?
Inside the mansion! This house had 16 bedrooms and indoor plumbing!
This house might have had the first inddor bathroom!
Another store front.
I'm sure you can guess what this is.
Men would sit in big rooms such as this and discuss the issues of the day...among other things.
A shot looking down the hole! Yuck!
We have made it to the library.
To the left of the library is the excavation of the mansion.
Actors were dressed like the people of this city.
Looking back up the street from the library.
To the right of the library.
Statues on the front of the library.
To the right of the library inside the courtyard.
We are now continuing along the Arcadian way past the library towards the ampitheater.
The first manhole. They would use the iron to pull up the block if they had to work on the pipes.
The first street sign actually in the marble on the street.
People would see the sign and understand how to get to this shop.
Looking back toards the library.
This ampitheater holds 24,000 people.
It is till used to this day for festivals.
Elton John and many other famous artists have performed here.
Nice camel.
Heading back to the port.
Our ship is in the distance.
On the street at the port.
The Romans conquered the area ini the second century AD, and Byzantines, Venetians and Genoeses all claimed the area prior to the Middle Ages.
The Ottomans added the district to their holdings in the early 1400's. The city remained Turkish.
The island served as a sea portale for the surrounding region. Kusadasi remained a farming and fishing region until 25 years ago when the city became popular with yachters.
This used to be a government building but is now one of the most expensive hotels in Kusadasi.
With the new marina and ancient cities this place plays host to vacationers around the world.
At one time Pigeon Island was used as a disco. Now it has been restored for people to view the histroy of the island.
We wandered through a shopping pavillion at the port.
We stopped to grab a drink and admire the beautiful water.
Mike tried the Turkish beer Efes and Jodie had a glass of wine.
The total bill was about $3!
Back from a long hot day exploring Turkey.
Looking down the center of the ship.
More views of the city from the ship.
Turkey is known for their beautiful handmade carpets.
Women sit in front of the looms on the floor and weave the carpets.
This a city where you can find great prices on jewelry and leather.
Fun inside the Schooner lounge on the ship.
As we started to sail off a Turkish band played on the pier and wished us farewell.
The drink of the day!
