In Turkey, we visited 4 historic sites and a carpet weaving demonstration in the port of Kusadasi. It was our longest day--8 1/2 hours. We got to sit on the bus and ride to the next location, so there was a rest in between. Thank goodness!
We saw this sign on a booth in Ephesus. Not sure if they were being brutally honest, or if something was lost in translation...
One of the most interesting things about Ephesus is to keep in mind it was a port that sat directly on the sea. Now, the sea is like 3 miles away.
I can't remember what the tour guide said these were. It was right next to the bath house.
This was a smaller arena used more for the arts. It was located across from the Agora.
Me in the arena.
The Library.
The Ancient Road. Pretty cool to be where John, Mary and other early Christians tread.
Our tour guide and a well, I think.
Thought this was pretty.
A Maltese cross. After the "fish" was found out, early christians began using this sign to identify one another. In a Maltese Cross, each letter of the word "ichthus" (fish) can be seen.
Trajan Fountain. (Reconstructed on a reduced scale)
The market place. The booths are different "stores".
The Temple of Hadrian. The pictures don't do the the ornamentation on these buildings justice. Even as ruins they are breathtaking.
Mike in the Latriana; public toilets. There was a trough of running water about 3 feet or more below the holes (not anymore though).
The Library. It was built as a mausoleum/memorial/library. Amazing isn't it? Another shot where you may be able to see some of the detailing.
The entrance to the giant outdoor market.
Mike and I in the giant arena. And another view from farther away.
Some actors did a short recreation of a show in the arena--complete with dancers, a juggler, and gladitorial games. Obviously, some of the more grusesome sports were left out--such as christians being fed to the lions.
Some stationary actors. A leather worker, basket weaver, and sculpter.
Then we drove just 5 or 10 min down the road to Magnesia. It is a very recently discovered site that is still being excavated.
This was the inside of a temple. Mike and I in the doorway of the temple.
Mike and I in another random doorway.
The next stop was Miletus. There was a super huge, incredibly preserved arena there.
Another part of Miletus.
We stopped for lunch, (which was interesting)then went on to our last site: The Temple of Apollo.
This temple served mostly as an oracle, so worshipers when summoned, would come stand where the picture was taken and inquire of the priests. The priests would emerge through these doorways and with the sun behind them (there was no roof), and impressed worshipers with their "holy" aura.
This is inside the holy chamber. There was a well (upper left corner of the pic) said to give holy water which the priests would consume to recieve diving insight. Also, there was deep hole in the ground--said to be a shaft directly to the underworld (center of pic behind the rocks). It's filled in now of course.
Tunnel from the holy chamber out to the common area.
Fallen column. The temple had the tallest columns in Greece.
Our carpet weaving demonstration and the carpet we bought. It's small, but silk, high quality and not cheap! I'm glad we got it though. It's really the only valuable souvenir we purchased.
Mike and our towel bunny. A picture from our other formal night.
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