Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey

Thursday… Day 5. After spending the wad for the Athens tour we decided to just see what Turkey had to offer us on our own. We read in the guide there was shopping within walking distance of the ship. The kids had a "backstage pass"with Ocean Adventures to see the goings on there so Joey and I took the opportunity to get off the ship alone and scope it out. What we found was a taxi tour of Ephesus which was much more affordable than the ship tour so we made up our minds to do that with the three older kids (it was just too hot for the two younger ones to just go see more ruins!) We shopped a bit and decided after our tour we would take the two little ones to find their souvenir here as it was an easy walk and pretty cheap prices! We headed on board for M, S and R and then on to our tour of Ephesus.
We were docked next to this Club Med boat and I thought it made for a nice picture !The ruins in Ephesus were much like Joey remembered Pompeii and Athens as a child… not so crowded and we could actually walk on them and touch them. It was quite amazing!
This is a small theater or concert hall called the Odeon.Fountain of TrajanFountain of PollioTemple of DomitianTemple of Hadrian

Nike the goddess of VictoryCuretes Street looking towards the Library of CelsusThe Library of Celsus (big structure, midpicture) and the Mazeus and Mathriadates Gate on the right. Walk through those gates and you head to the Grand Theatre.The highlight here was the Grand Theatre where Paul preached. Huge! He caused a great uproar in the theatre in Ephesus, where local silversmiths feared loss of income due to Paul's activities. Their income relied on the sale of silver statues (idols) of the goddess Artemis, whom they worshipped; the resulting mob almost killed Paul (Acts 19:21–41)

Below is Harbour Street walking away from the Grand Theatre. To the right would be the Gymnasium.
At then of the Harbour street above you can see a hill. This is pictured below and is called Prison of St Paulus because this was where he was held in prison.M and I as you look back at the Grand Theater over the Gymnasium.
We then headed to see the one remaining pillar of the Temple of Artemis… one of the seven wonders of the ancient world… which is actually now in London. If you zoom in the picture you can see just behind the Artemis pillar a structure with some small columns.
This is The Church of St John. These storks are were on the top of the Artemis Pillar.
Then our driver took us to see a local carpet maker which the kids found very interesting.

From here we made our way back to get C and J and find those precious souvenirs we just could not live without. We all found something of course and did well for the Turkish economy.

Our ship on the drive back.

A funny sign we saw while shopping!

This is what is called the "Evil Eye". It is kinda like a good luck charm and keeps the evil spirits away. They had them everywhere! IN the pavement in front of their stores, around their necks, in their cars etc...

So a quick shot before we head back on board with all our treasures.